Supreme Court Distinguishes Ad Hoc Service for Pension from Seniority Rights

The Supreme Court held that temporary or ad hoc service may be counted for pension in appropriate cases but cannot automatically confer seniority over regularly recruited employees.

Background

The dispute concerned Tamil Nadu staff initially appointed as a temporary measure during a recruitment ban and later regularised. Direct recruits selected through the prescribed process challenged their relative placement.

Legal issue and reasoning

The Bench distinguished service rendered under a stopgap arrangement from appointment made in accordance with recruitment rules. Counting earlier service for pension does not itself alter the lawful seniority sequence.

Consequence and next step

The ruling preserves the difference between pensionable service and seniority, requiring claims to be evaluated under the applicable recruitment and absorption rules.