As per the case facts two judicial officers challenged the promotion process used by the High Court of Gujarat for Civil Judges Senior Division to Additional District Judge posts They ... contended that the High Court incorrectly applied a 'Seniority-cum-Merit' principle rather than the mandated 'Merit-cum-Seniority' under Rule I of the Rules by assessing suitability and then ranking candidates primarily by seniority The appeal to the Supreme Court sought clarity on the correct application of the promotion principles The question arose whether the High Court of Gujarat incorrectly applied the 'Seniority-cum-Merit' principle instead of 'Merit-cum-Seniority' for promotions as mandated by the Rules and what precisely constitutes 'Merit-cum-Seniority' for promotion to the cadre of District Sessions Judges Finally the Supreme Court concluded that the challenged final Select List adhered to the 'Merit-cum-Seniority' principle as outlined in Rule I of the Rules The petition was dismissed and the Court clarified that its decision did not invalidate promotions made by other High Courts based on their specific rules and service requirements SC