Judgment

Reserved on :: 24/03/2025

Pronounced on :: 23/05/2025

1. In the present batch of writ petitions, the core controversy requiring adjudication predominantly pertains as to whether the previous service rendered on temporary/ ad-hoc basis can be counted for grant of benefit of Career Advancement Scheme (herein after referred to as “CAS”). Although ancillary issues are also raised, the principal question of law revolves around the legality and validity of the impugned addendum and non- consideration of the petitioners’ candidature for want of certain eligibility conditions. Having regard to the commonality of issues both in law and in fact, and with the consent of learned counsel appearing for the respective parties, this Court deems it appropriate to treat SBCWP NO. 14181/2023 titled as Dr. Sadhana Kansal Vs. State of Rajasthan and Ors. as the lead petition for the purposes of this adjudication.

2. It is, however, considered apposite to clarify at the outset that though the subject matter in the writ petitions is substantially similar or pertains to an identical legal issue, the factual matrix varies to some extent in each case. In certain writ petitions, there are distinguishing