V. Ramasubramanian, J.

1. Contending that seniority in the cadre of District Judges has not been fixed in accordance with Rule 13(a) read with Schedule-A of the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service Rules, 2007, a promotee District Judge has come up with the present writ petition.

2. Heard Mr. G. Vidya Sagar, learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner and Mr. Abhinand Kumar Shavili, learned Standing Counsel for the respondent/High Court.

3. The petitioner was appointed as a Civil Judge (Junior Division) on 01-7-1988. He was promoted as Senior Civil Judge on 06-5-2002. He was later promoted on temporary basis as District Judge with effect from 23-9-2009. Subsequently, by an order in G.O.Ms.No.133, Law Department, dated 05-12-2012, the petitioner was promoted on regular basis under the 65% quota reserved for promotion to the post of District Judges.

4. In All India Judges’ Association v. Union of India (2002) 4 SCC 247), the Supreme Court issued various directives, one of which related to the issue of seniority. Paragraph-29 of the said decision reads as follows:

“29. Experie