JUDGMENT

CHANDRACHUD, CJI.:— These are 25 petitions under Art. 32 of the Constitution of India challenging the decision of the Reserve Bank of India as regards the introduction of common seniority and inter-group mobility amongst different, grades of officers belonging to Group I (Section A), Group II and Group III, with retrospective effect from May 22, 1974. That decision or order is contained in Administration Circular No. 8. dated January 7. 1978 as also in office Order No. 679 dated April 27, 1978 and has been acted upon in the draft combined seniority list of officers in Grade B (appointed as such prior to Jan. 1, 1970) and in Grades C D E and F. The contention of the petitioners is that the aforesaid circular, office order and combined seniority list are violative of their fundamental rights under Arts. 14 and 16 of the Constitution. and are also ultra vires the power jurisdiction and competence of the Reserve Bank of India, being without the authority of law and in contravention of the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.

2. The facts leading up to the impugned decision dated Jan. 7. 1978, the office order dated April 27. 1978 and the draft combined seniority l