Shimla | June 29, 2026:
The writ petition challenges the validity of the notification dated 6 September 2022, whereby Rule 7(A)(1) was inserted into the Himachal Pradesh Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2022. According to the petitioner, the impugned provision violates the constitutional guarantee of equality by denying similarly placed employees equal pay benefits solely on the basis of their date of appointment.
The Hon’ble High Court of Himachal Pradesh has issued notice to the State Government in a writ petition challenging the constitutional validity of Rule 7(A)(1) of the Himachal Pradesh Civil Services (Revised Pay) First Amendment Rules, 2022, notified on 6 September 2022, which allegedly creates a pay anomaly by prescribing a cut-off date for employees appointed on or after 3 January 2022.
The challenge is directed against Rule 7(A)(1), which, according to the petitioner, has created an artificial classification among government employees by introducing 3 January 2022 as the cut-off date for the grant of revised pay benefits.
Case Background:
The petitioner contends that employees appointed on or after 3 January 2022 have been denied the benefits of Higher Stage of Pay on completion of two years of regular service, which is available to employees appointed before the cut-off date of 03.01.2022, despite performing identical duties under the same service conditions. According to the petition, the impugned rule has resulted in a significant pay anomaly and unequal treatment among similarly situated employees solely on the basis of their date of appointment.
Proceedings Before the High Court:
When the matter was first listed on 4 June 2026, the learned Single Judge observed that the petition involved a challenge to the validity of a statutory notification dated 6 September 2022. Since such matters were required to be heard by the appropriate Division Bench under the prevailing roster, the Registry was directed to place the case before the appropriate Bench at the pleasure of the Hon’ble Chief Justice.
The matter thereafter came up before the Division Bench on 29 June 2026, where the Court issued notice to the respondents. The Deputy Advocate General accepted notice on behalf of the State Government, and the Court granted four weeks’ time for filing the State’s reply. The petition has been directed to be listed along with CWP No. 8852 of 2026 for further consideration.
Significance of the Case:
The outcome of the petition is likely to have considerable significance for government employees appointed on or after 3 January 2022, as it concerns the validity of the cut-off date introduced under Rule 7(A)(1) of the Revised Pay Rules. If the challenge succeeds, the decision may have important implications for the pay structure and service benefits of similarly situated employees across various departments of the State Government.
| Case Title | Sandeep Singh v. State of Himachal Pradesh & Others |
| Case Number | CWP No. 8997 of 2026 |
| Court | Hon’ble High Court of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla |
| Coram: | Hon’ble Mr. Justice Vivek Singh Thakur & Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ranjan Sharma |
| Petitioner: | Sandeep Singh |
| Counsel for the Petitioner: | Mr. Rajat Kumar, Advocate |
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