THE KARNATAKA EXTENSION OF CONSEQUENTIAL SENIORITY TO GOVERNMENT SERVANTS PROMOTED ON THE BASIS OF RESERVATION (TO THE POSTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICES OF THE STATE) ACT, 2017

KARNATAKA ACT NO. 21 OF 2018 
 

THE KARNATAKA EXTENSION OF CONSEQUENTIAL SENIORITY  TO 
GOVERNMENT SERVANTS PROMOTED ON THE BASIS OF RESERVATION (TO 

THE POSTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICES OF THE STATE) ACT, 2017 
 

Arrangement of Sections 
 
Sections: 
 

1. Short title and commencement  
2. Definitions  
3. Determination of Seniority of the Government Servants Promoted on the basis 

of Reservation  
4. Protection of consequential seniority already accorded from 27th April 1978 

onwards  
5. Provision for review 
6. Power to make rules 
7. Power to remove difficulties 
8. Repeal 
9. Validation of action taken under the provisions of this Act 

SCHEDULE 
 

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS 
 

Act 21 of 2018.- It is considered necessary to provide for Consequential 
Seniority of the Government Servants promoted on the basis of Reservation to the 
posts in the Civil Services of the State with the effect from the 27th day of April 1978 
in pursuance of Article 16 (4A) of the Constitution of India in the following 
circumstances, namely:- 

The Government of Karnataka has introduced the policy of  reservation in 
promotion in favour of the Government Servants belonging to the Scheduled Castes 
and the Scheduled Tribes as per the Government Order No. DPAR 29 SBC 77 dated 
27.4.1978;  

Paragraph 7 of the Reservation Order stipulates that the inter-se seniority 
amongst persons promoted in accordance with that order on any occasion has to be 
determined, in the manner provided in rule 4 or 4-A, as the case may be, of the 
Karnataka Government Servants (Seniority) Rules, 1957;  

The Supreme Court of India, in its Judgment dated 1 -12-2000, in the case of 
M.G. Badappanavar and Another Versus State of Karnataka and others in Civil 
Appeal Nos. 6970-6971 of 2000 with Civil Appeal No. 6972 of 2000 (AIR 2001 SC 
260) while dealing with the issue of determination of seniority interse between the 
persons belonging to the reserved categories and the general category, in pursuance 
of the ratio of the decision of the Constitution Bench in Ajit Singh and Others (II) Vs 
State of Punjab and others-(1999) 7 SCC 209 has examined rule 2(c), rule 4 and 
rule 4-A of the Karnataka Government Servants’ (Seniority) Rules, 1957 and has 
observed that there is no specific rule therein permitting seniority to be counted in 
respect of a person promoted against a (reserved) roster point;  

Subsequently, the Parliament has enacted the Constitution (Eighty Fifth 
Amendment) Act, 2001 by insertion of clause (4A) to Article 16 of the Constitution 



 2 

with retrospective effect from 17-6-1995 providing for consequential seniority in the 
case of promotion on the basis of reservation;  

The  Government of Karnataka has enacted the Karnataka Determination of 
Seniority of the Government Servants promoted on the basis of reservation (to the 
posts in the civil services of the State) Act, 2002 (Karnataka Act 10 of 2002) (herein 
after referred to as Karnataka Act 10 of 2002) to remove any ambiguity and to 
clarify that the Government Servants belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the 
Scheduled Tribes promoted in accordance with the policy of reservation in 
promotion contained in the Reservation Order shall be entitled to seniority as it is 
available to the Government Servants belonging to the other categories;  

The validity of the Karnataka Act 10 of 2002 and constitutional amendments 
to Articles 16(4A) and 16(4B) came to be challenged in  Supreme court in Sri.M. 
Nagaraj & others in W.P.No 61/2002. The Hon’ble Supreme Court in the said case 
upheld the constitutional validity of Articles 16(4A) and 16(4B) and held that the 
validity of the individual enactments of the appropriate States shall be gone into in 
individual Writ petitions by the appropriate Bench. In turn having been remitted, 
the High Court of Karnataka in W.P.No.14655/2010 has examined the 
constitutional validity of Karnataka Act 10 of 2002 and declared that the same was 
a valid piece of legislation as it satisfied the tests specified by the Supreme Court in 
M.Nagaraja’s case. The correctness of the view taken by the High Court of 
Karnataka was then assailed in Appeal before the Supreme Court in B.K.Pavitra 
case; 

 The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in its judgment dated: 09.02.2017 in 
the case of B.K. Pavitra and others v/s Union of India and others in Civil Appeal No. 
2368 of 2011 and connected matters while dealing with the issue of consequential 
seniority provided to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, having regard 
to the ratio of the decision of the Constitution Bench in M. Nagaraj in Writ Petition 
No. 61 of 2002 has observed that a proper exercise for determining ‘inadequacy of 
representation’, ‘backwardness’ and ‘overall efficiency’, is a must for exercise of 
power under Article 16(4A). The court held that in the absence of this exercise 
under Article 16(4A) it is the “catch up” rule that shall be applicable. Having 
observed this the Court declared the provisions of Sections 3 and 4 of the 
Karnataka Act 10 of 2002 to be ultra vires of Article 14 and 16 of the Constitution. 
The Hon'ble Supreme Court directed that revision of the Seniority lists be 
undertaken and completed within three months and further consequential action 
be taken within the next three months;  

In order to comply with the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in B.K. 
Pavitra and others v/s Union of India and others in Civil Appeal No. 2368 of 2011 
the Government has issued order vide Government order No: DPAR 182 SRR 2011 
dated 06.05.2017 to all appointing authorities to revise the seniority lists; 

While in compliance of the Supreme Court order, the Government considering 
the need and taking note of the decision of the Constitution Bench in M. Nagaraj, in 
Writ Petition No. 61 of 2002, has entrusted the task of conducting study and 
submitting a report on the backwardness of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled 
Tribes in the State, inadequacy of their representation in the State Civil Services 
and the effect of reservation in promotion on the State administration, to the 
Additional Chief Secretary to Government in Government Order No. DPAR 182 SRR 
2011 dated: 22.03.2017;   



 3 

The Additional Chief Secretary to Government with the assistance of officers 
from various departments has collated the scientific, quantifiable and relevant data 
collected and having made a detailed study of quantifiable data has submitted a 
report on the backwardness of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the State, 
inadequacy of their representation in the State Civil Services and the effect of 
reservation in promotion on the State administration to the State Government;  

The report confirms the backwardness of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled 
Tribes in the State, inadequacy of their representation in the State Civil Services 
and that the overall efficiency of administration has not been affected or hampered 
by extending reservation in promotion to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled 
Tribes in the State and continuance of reservation in promotion within the limits 
will not affect or hamper overall efficiency of administration; 

The Government of Karnataka has also obtained the views of Legal Experts 
and the Karnataka Law Commission in this regard; and 

After having examined the report submitted by the Additional Chief Secretary 
and the views expressed by the Legal Experts, the Government of Karnataka has 
accepted the report. Keeping in view the findings of the report, the Government is 
satisfied and having identified and measured, has come to the conclusion that 
compelling reasons continue to exist for providing consequential seniority to 
persons promoted on the basis of policy of reservation in the State since 1978 so as 
to ensure adequate representation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes 
across all departments;  

 Hence, the Bill. 
 

[L.A. Bill No.40 of 2017, File No. Samvyashae 44 Shasana 2017] 

[entry 41 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India.] 

  



 4 

 
 

KARNATAKA ACT NO. 21 OF 2018 
(First Published in the Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary on the 23rd day of June, 2018) 

 
THE KARNATAKA EXTENSION OF CONSEQUENTIAL SENIORITY  TO 

GOVERNMENT SERVANTS PROMOTED ON THE BASIS OF RESERVATION (TO 
THE POSTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICES OF THE STATE) ACT, 2017 

(Received the assent of President on the 14th  day of June, 2018) 
 

An Act for Determination of Seniority of the Government Servants Promoted 

on the Basis of Reservation to the Posts in the Civil Services of the State. 

Whereas, the Government of Karnataka has introduced the policy of  

reservation in promotion in favour of Government Servants belonging to the 

Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes as per the Government Order No. 

DPAR 29 SBC 77 dated 27.4.1978;  

Whereas, paragraph 7 of the Reservation Order stipulates that the inter-se 

seniority amongst persons promoted in accordance with that order on any occasion 

has to be determined, in the manner provided in rule 4 or 4-A, as the case may be, 

of the Karnataka Government Servants (Seniority) Rules, 1957;  

Whereas, the Supreme Court of India, in its Judgment dated 1 -12-2000, in 

the case of M.G. Badappanavar and Another Versus State of Karnataka and others 

in Civil Appeal Nos. 6970-6971 of 2000 with Civil Appeal No. 6972 of 2000 (AIR 

2001 SC 260) while dealing with the issue of determination of seniority inter-se 

between the persons belonging to the reserved categories and the general category, 

in pursuance of the ratio of the decision of the Constitution Bench in Ajit Singh and 

Others (II) Vs State of Punjab and others-(1999) 7 SCC 209 has examined rule 2(c), 

rule 4 and rule 4-A of the Karnataka Government Servants’ (Seniority) Rules, 1957 

and has observed that there is no specific rule therein permitting seniority to be 

counted in respect of a person promoted against a (reserved) roster point;  

Whereas, subsequently, the Parliament has enacted the Constitution (Eighty 

Fifth Amendment) Act, 2001 by insertion of clause (4A) to Article 16 of the 

Constitution with retrospective effect from 17-6-1995 providing for consequential 

seniority in the case of promotion on the basis of reservation;  

Whereas, the Government of Karnataka has enacted the Karnataka 

Determination of Seniority of the Government Servants promoted on the basis of 



 5 

reservation (to the posts in the civil services of the State) Act, 2002 (Karnataka Act 

10 of 2002) (herein after referred to as Karnataka Act 10 of 2002) to remove any 

ambiguity and to clarify that the Government Servants belonging to the Scheduled 

Castes and the Scheduled Tribes promoted in accordance with the policy of 

reservation in promotion contained in the Reservation Order shall be entitled to 

seniority as it is available to the Government Servants belonging to the other 

categories;  

Whereas, the validity of the Karntaka Act 10 of 2002 and constitutional 

amendments to Articles 16(4A) and 16(4B) came to be challenged in  Supreme court 

in W.P.No 61/2002 titled Sri.M. Nagaraj & others Vs Union of India. The Hon’ble 

Supreme Court in the said case upheld the constitutional validity of Articles 16(4A) 

and 16(4B) and held that the validity of the individual enactments of the 

appropriate States shall be gone into in individual Writ petitions by the appropriate 

Bench. In turn having been remitted, the High Court of Karnataka in 

W.P.No.14655/2010 has examined the constitutional validity of Karnataka Act 10 

of 2002 and declared that the same was a valid piece of legislation as it satisfied the 

tests specified by the Supreme Court in M.Nagaraja’s case. The correctness of the 

view taken by the High Court of Karnataka was then assailed in Appeal before the 

Supreme Court in B.K.Pavitra case; 

Whereas, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in its judgment dated: 

09.02.2017 in the case of B.K. Pavitra and others v/s Union of India and others in 

Civil Appeal No. 2368 of 2011 and connected matters while dealing with the issue 

of consequential seniority provided to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled 

Tribes, having regard to the ratio of the decision of the Constitution Bench in M. 

Nagaraj in Writ Petition No. 61 of 2002 has observed that a proper exercise for 

determining ‘inadequacy of representation’, ‘backwardness’ and ‘overall efficiency’, 

is a must for exercise of power under Article 16(4A). The court held that in the 

absence of this exercise under Article 16(4A) it is the “catch up” rule that shall be 

applicable. Having observed this the Court declared the provisions of Sections 3 

and 4 of the Karnataka Act 10 of 2002 to be ultra vires of Article 14 and 16 of the 

Constitution. The Hon'ble Supreme Court directed that revision of the Seniority 

lists be undertaken and completed within three months and further consequential 

action be taken within the next three months;  



 6 

Whereas, in order to comply with the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court 

in B.K. Pavitra and others v/s Union of India and others in Civil Appeal No. 2368 of 

2011 the Government has issued order vide Government order No: DPAR 182 SRR 

2011 dated 06.05.2017 to all appointing authorities to revise the seniority lists; 

Whereas, while in compliance of the Supreme Court order, the Government 

considering the need and taking note of the decision of the Constitution Bench in 

M. Nagaraj, in Writ Petition No. 61 of 2002, has entrusted the task of conducting 

study and submitting a report on the backwardness of Scheduled Castes and 

Scheduled Tribes in the State, inadequacy of their representation in the State Civil 

Services and the effect of reservation in promotion on the State administration, to 

the Additional Chief Secretary to Government in Government Order No. DPAR 182 

SRR 2011 dated: 22.03.2017;   

Whereas, the Additional Chief Secretary to Government with the assistance of 

officers from various departments has collated the scientific, quantifiable and 

relevant data collected and having made a detailed study of quantifiable data has 

submitted a report on the backwardness of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes 

in the State, inadequacy of their representation in the State Civil Services and the 

effect of reservation in promotion on the State administration to the State 

Government;  

Whereas, the report confirms the backwardness of Scheduled Castes and 

Scheduled Tribes in the State, inadequacy of their representation in the State Civil 

Services and that the overall efficiency of administration has not been affected or 

hampered by extending reservation in promotion to the Scheduled Castes and 

Scheduled Tribes in the State and continuance of reservation in promotion within 

the limits will not affect or hamper overall efficiency of administration; 

Whereas, the Government of Karnataka has also obtained the views of Legal 

Experts and the Karnataka Law Commission in this regard; and 

Whereas, after having examined the report submitted by the Additional Chief 

Secretary and the views expressed by the Legal Experts the Government of 

Karnataka has accepted the report. Keeping in view the findings of the report, the 

Government is satisfied and having identified and measured, has come to the 

conclusion that compelling reasons continue to exist for providing consequential 

seniority to persons promoted on the basis of policy of reservation in the State since 



 7 

1978 so as to ensure adequate representation of the Scheduled Castes and 

Scheduled Tribes across all departments;  

Now therefore, State on finding of compelling necessity for exercise of its 

powers, it is of the opinion that, it is expedient to provide for the following and for 

the matters connected therewith and incidental thereto; 

 Be it enacted by the Karnataka State Legislature in the sixty eighth year of 

the Republic of India, as follows:-  

1. Short title and commencement.- (1) This Act may be called the 

Karnataka Extension of Consequential Seniority to Government Servants Promoted 

on the basis of Reservation (to the posts in the civil services of the State) Act, 2017.  

(2) Section 3 and 4 shall be deemed to have come into force from 17th day of 

June, 1995 and other provisions shall come into force at once. 

2. Definitions. - In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-  

(a) “Government” means the Government of Karnataka;  

(b) “Government Servant” means a person who is a member of the Civil 

Services of the State of Karnataka or who holds a Civil post in connection with the 

affairs of the State of Karnataka and includes any person whose services are 

temporarily placed at the disposal of the Government of India, the Government of 

another State, a local authority, any person or persons whether incorporated or 

not; 

 (c) “Reservation Orders” means the Government Order No. DPAR 29 SBC 

1977 dated 27th April 1978 and other orders containing the policy of reservation in 

promotion, as modified from time to time; and 

(d)  ‘Backlog’ means promotional vacancies reserved for Scheduled Castes 

and Scheduled Tribes but not filled by the respective categories for want of eligible 

persons.    

3. Determination of Seniority of the Government Servants Promoted on 

the basis of Reservation.- Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law 

for the time being in force, the Government Servants belonging to the Scheduled 

Castes and the Scheduled Tribes promoted in accordance with the policy of 

reservation in promotion provided for in the Reservation Order shall be entitled to 



 8 

consequential seniority. Seniority shall be determined on the basis of the length of 

service in a cadre:  

Provided that the seniority inter-se of the Government Servants belonging to 

the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes as well as those belonging to the 

unreserved category, promoted to a cadre, at the same time by a common order, 

shall be determined on the basis of their seniority inter-se, in the lower cadre.  

Provided further that where the posts in a cadre, according to the rules of 

recruitment applicable to them are required to be filled by promotion from two or 

more lower cadres,-  

(i) The number of vacancies available in the promotional (higher) cadre for 

each of the lower cadres according to the rules of recruitment applicable to it shall 

be calculated; and  

(ii) The roster shall be applied separately to the number of vacancies so 

calculated in respect of each of those lower cadres:  

Provided also that the serial numbers of the roster points specified in the 

Reservation Order are intended only to facilitate calculation of the number of 

vacancies reserved for promotion at a time and such roster points are not intended 

to determine inter-se seniority of the Government Servants belonging to the 

Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes vis-a-vis the Government Servants 

belonging to the unreserved category promoted at the same time and such inter-se 

seniority shall be determined by their seniority inter-se in the cadre from which 

they are promoted, as illustrated in the Schedule appended to this Act.  

4. Protection of consequential seniority already accorded from 27th 

April 1978 onwards.-  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other 

law for the time being in force, the consequential seniority already accorded to the 

Government servants belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes 

who were promoted in accordance with the policy of reservation in promotion 

provided for in the Reservation Order with effect from the Twenty Seventh Day of 

April, Nineteen Hundred and Seventy Eight shall be valid and shall be protected 

and shall not be disturbed.    

5.  Provision for review.-  All promotions to the posts belonging to the State 

Civil Services shall be within the extent and in accordance with the provisions of 

the reservation orders and other rules pertaining to method of recruitment and 



 9 

seniority. The Appointing Authority shall revise and redraw the existing seniority 

lists to ensure that the promotions are made accordingly: 

Provided that subsequent to such a review, wherever it is found that 

Government Servants belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes  

were promoted against reservation and backlog vacancies in excess or contrary to 

extent of reservation provided in the reservation orders  shall be adjusted and fitted 

with reference to the roster points in accordance with the reservation orders issued 

from time to time by assigning appropriate dates of eligibility. In case, if persons 

belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes who have already been 

promoted against reservation or backlog vacancies in excess or contrary to the 

extent of reservation provisions cannot get adjusted and fitted against the roster 

points they shall be continued against supernumerary posts, to be created by the 

concerned administrative department presuming concurrence of Finance 

Department, in the cadres in which they are currently working, till they get the date 

of eligibility for promotion in that cadre.  

6. Power to make rules.- (1) The State Government, if it deems necessary, 

may by notification make rules, after previous publication, to carry out the 

purposes of this Act.  

(2) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid as soon as may be after it is 

made before each House of the State Legislature, while it is in session for a total 

period of thirty days, which may be comprised in one session or in two or more 

successive sessions, and if before the expiry of the session, immediately following 

the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any 

modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made the 

rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the 

case may be, so however that any such modification or annulment shall be without 

prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.  

7. Power to remove difficulties.- (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to 

the provisions of this Act, the Government may by order published in the official 

Gazette, make provisions as appear to it be necessary or expedient for removing the 

difficulty:  

(2) Every order made under this section shall as soon as may be after it is 

made, be laid before each House of the State Legislature.  



 10 

8. Repeal.- The Karnataka Determination of Seniority of the Government 

Servants Promoted on the basis of Reservation (to the posts in the civil services of 

the State) Act, 2002 (Karnataka Act 10 of 2002) is hereby repealed. 

9. Validation of action taken under the provisions of this Act.- 

Notwithstanding anything contained in any Judgment, Decree or Order of any 

court, tribunal or other authority contrary to section 3 and 4 of this Act any action 

taken or done in respect of any promotions made or purporting  to have been made 

and any action or thing taken or done, all proceedings held and any actions 

purported to have been done since 27th April, 1978 in relation to promotions as per 

sections 3 and 4 of this Act, before the publication of this Act shall be deemed to be 

valid and effective as if such promotions or action or thing has been made, taken or 

done under this Act and accordingly:- 

(a)   no suit or other proceedings shall be maintained or continued in any 

court or any tribunal or before any authority for the review of any such promotions 

contrary to the provisions of this Act; and  

(b)   no court shall enforce any decree or order to direct the review of any 

such cases contrary to the provisions of this Act. 

SCHEDULE 
 (see the proviso to section 3) 

 
If three vacancies of Assistant Commissioner are to be filled by promotion at 

the same time, by a common order, classification of vacancies would be as follows :  
 
1st ... Scheduled Caste  
2nd ... Scheduled Tribe  
3rd ... Unreserved  
 
If the seniority of persons in the cadre of Tahsildars who are eligible and 

qualified and whose cases are to be considered at that time is as indicated below,  
 
A ... Scheduled Caste  
B ... Unreserved  
C ... Scheduled Tribe  
D ... Unreserved  
E ... Unreserved  
 
then, on promotion, their inter-se seniority in the cadre of Assistant 

Commissioners, will be as follows :  
 
A ... Scheduled Caste  
B ... Unreserved  



 11 

C ... Scheduled Tribe  
If on the other hand the seniority of the Tahsildars at that time is as 

indicated below,  
A ... Unreserved  
B ... Unreserved  
C ... Unreserved  
D ... Scheduled Caste  
E ... Scheduled Tribe  
 
then their inter-se seniority, on promotion, in the cadre of Assistant 

Commissioners will be as follows :  
 
A ... Unreserved  
D ... Scheduled Caste  
E ... Scheduled Tribe 

 
 

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Article 348 of the Constitution of India. 
 
  

VAJUBHAI VALA 
GOVERNOR OF KARNATAKA 

 
By Order and in the name of  the Governor of 

Karnataka, 
 

G. SRIDHAR 
Secretary to Government (I/c) 

Department of Parliamentary Affairs 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 
 
 

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