Selection of a person does not always govern fixation of his seniority

A selection to the post is only recognition and/or acceptance of possession of the prescribed qualification, age, merit and ability etc., of a person to join a post. It will not confer any seniority to a person at this stage

Appointment to post and not selection is a determining factor for purpose of fixation of seniority. Right to assert seniority will arise only from the date of joining service or rather from the date of appointment. The date of passing the written examination or undergoing physical training, cannot be construed as the date of entry into regular service. This is more so since the candidate may or may not complete physical training and eventually get appointed. Therefore, only after being appointed to a post, can a member of service be conferred with all service rights, including seniority, promotion etc. Thus, the date of the appointment is one that has to be reckoned to determine seniority and not the year of selection to post.

For purpose of reckoning seniority, a person has to join the post to which he was selected and the date of joining the post will be the criteria for fixation of seniority.