As per case facts, a dispute arose concerning the seniority of Junior Engineers. One group consisted of individuals directly recruited after qualifying an exam in 2003, while another group comprised ... Sectional Officers whose posts were upgraded to Junior Engineer in 2007. The direct recruits were initially appointed in a higher pay scale. A final seniority list placing direct recruits above the upgraded officers was challenged by the upgraded officers. The Single Judge upheld the seniority list, but the Division Bench reversed this decision, directing a refixing of seniority. This led to appeals by the direct recruits and the State to the Supreme Court. The question arose whether the upgraded Sectional Officers could claim seniority in the Junior Engineer cadre from a date prior to their posts actually being upgraded to Junior Engineer. Finally, the Supreme Court ruled that the Division Bench erred by granting seniority to the upgraded Sectional Officers from a date when they were not yet part of the Junior Engineer cadre. The Court emphasized that their posts were upgraded significantly later than the direct recruits' appointments. Consequently, the appeals were allowed, the Division Bench's order was set aside, and the original seniority list circulated in 2018, favoring the direct recruits, was upheld.