JUDGMENT

Dr. Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud, J

1. The appeals arise from a judgment of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh dated 20 March 2014. The High Court rejected a challenge to an order of the Central Administrative Tribunal [The “Tribunal” ] directing the appellants to provide to the Respondents all benefits of service and to consider their cases for promotions in accordance with the Indian Broadcasting (Programme) Service Rules 1990 [The Indian Broadcasting (Programme) Service Rules 1990 are referred to in this judgment as the Rules.].

2. The First Respondent was engaged as a TV News Correspondent on contract for a period of five years on 6 August 1988. The second Respondent was engaged as a TV Assistant News Correspondent on contract on 12 August 1988. The Rules came into effect on 5 November 1990. They did not have a specific provision for the posts of TV News Correspondent and TV Assistant News Correspondent. The Rules define the expression ‘departmental candidates’ thus:

“(c) “Departmental Candidates” means-

“(i) Officers appointed on regular basis in consultation with the