Yes, this is a landmark Constitution Bench ruling (5 Judges) that directly addresses the issue. (!)

The Court held that inclusion of a candidate's name in the merit list prepared on the basis of a competitive examination does not confer an indefeasible right to appointment as a Government servant, even if vacancies exist. (!) [1000230010006]

Key principles established:

• Successful candidates do not acquire an indefeasible right to appointment merely because vacancies were notified, candidates were found fit, and they are available. A recruitment notification is ordinarily an invitation to qualified candidates to apply, and selection does not create a right to the post.[1000230010006]

• The State is under no legal duty to fill all (or any) notified vacancies unless required by relevant recruitment rules.[1000230010006][1000230010008]

• However, the State cannot act arbitrarily; any decision not to fill vacancies must be bona fide and supported by appropriate reasons.[1000230010006][1000230010009]

• If vacancies are filled, the State must respect candidates' comparative merit from the recruitment test, without discrimination.[1000230010006]

This position was clarified after examining the recruitment process, relevant rules/regulations (which impose no mandatory duty to fill all vacancies), and facts showing the selection process was closed bona fide.[1000230010004][1000230010008][1000230010009]