P. MARUTHI PRASADA RAO versus THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH & ORS.

Citation: [2025] 8 S.C.R. 1150 · Decided: 22-08-2025 · Supreme Court of India · Bench: DIPANKAR DATTA · Disposal: Disposed off

cites 2 · see the full citation network in Lexace

Judgment (excerpt)

[2025] 8 S.C.R. 1150 : 2025 INSC 1019
P. Maruthi Prasada Rao 
v. 
The State of Andhra Pradesh & Ors.
(Civil Appeal No. 11000 of 2025)
22 August 2025
[Dipankar Datta* and Augustine George Masih, JJ.]
Issue for Consideration
Having regard to the provisions of the Indian Forest Service 
(Recruitment) Rules, 1966, more particularly the expression 
“State Forest Service” as defined in r.2(g), whether any service 
in a State connected with forestry having members of gazetted 
status is required to be approved by the Central Government in 
consultation with the State Government or is the approval of the 
Central Government relatable to and required in respect of a 
post in the State Forest Service; if it is answered that approval is 
relatable to the service and not post, what relief is the appellant 
entitled to on facts and in the circumstances.
Headnotes†
Indian Forest Service (Recruitment) Rules, 1966 – r.2(g) – 
“State Forest Service” – Meaning – Andhra Pradesh Forest 
Service Rules, 1997 – Indian Forest Service (Appointment by 
Promotion) Regulations, 1966 – Having regard to the provisions 
of the Recruitment Rules, more particularly the expression 
“State Forest Service” as defined in r.2(g), whether any service 
in a State connected with forestry having members of gazetted 
status is required to be approved by the Central Government 
in consultation with the State Government or is the approval 
of the Central Government relatable to and required in respect 
of a post in the State Forest Service – If it is answered that 
approval is relatable to the service and not post, what relief 
is the appellant entitled to:
Held: Post of Forest Range Officer (FRO) is included in the 
Andhra Pradesh Forest Service and members of such service 
having gazetted status would count as members of the State 
Forest Service, i.e., the Andhra Pradesh Forest Service, provided 
* Author
[2025] 8 S.C.R. 
1151
P. Maruthi Prasada Rao v. The State of Andhra Pradesh & Ors.
such service has been approved by the Central Government in 
consultation with the State Government for the purpose of the 
Recruitment Rules – Members of Class A of the Andhra Pradesh 
Forest Service, including those in categories 2 and 3, are members 
of the State Forest Service if substantively appointed – Thus, 
are eligible for promotion to the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) 
in accordance with the Recruitment Rules – As and when the 
exercise for filling up vacancies in the IFoS is initiated afresh, 
the respondents to follow all the rules relating to recruitment and 
consider the FROs eligible for appointment by promotion treating 
the Andhra Pradesh Forest Service as ‘State Forest Service’ as 
defined in r.2(g) of the Recruitment Rules – Impugned judgment 
reversing the order of CAT directing to treat the FROs as SFS 
officers and consider appointment of the appellant to IFS on 
promotion, set aside – However, on facts, cause of action for the 
appellant to be considered for promotion arose after completion 
of continuous substantive appointment for eight years but, having 
not ventilated his grievance any time before January, 2021 and 
having taken time to approach the Tribunal, the appellant cannot 
be granted any relief in respect of past exercises undertaken for 
promotion. [Paras 10, 13, 20-22]
Case Law Cited
Gopal Singh v. State Cadre Forest Officer’s Association [2007] 6 
SCR 586 : (2007) 9 SCC 369; P.S. Sadasivaswamy v. State of 
T.N [1975] 2 SCR 356 : (1975) 1 SCC 152 – referred to.
K. Shailendra Moses v. The State of Telangana, decision dated 
06.01.2021 of the High Court for the State of Telangana in 
W.P.No. 23856 of 2016 – referred to.
List of Acts
Indian Forest Service (Recruitment) Rules, 1966; Andhra Pradesh 
Forest Service Rules, 1997; Indian Forest Service (Appointment by 
Promotion) Regulations, 1966; Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985.
List of Keywords
Rule 2(g) of Indian Forest Service (Recruitment) Rules, 1966; 
State Forest Service; Forest Range Officer (FRO); Andhra Pradesh 
Forest Service; Promotion; Indian Forest Service (IFoS); Members 
of gazetted status; Forestry; Approval of the Central Government; 
1152
[2025] 8 S.C.R.
Supreme Court Reports
Approved by the Central Government in consultation with the State 
Government; Vacancies in the Indian Forest Service; Assistant 
Conservator of Forests (ACF); Deputy Conservator of Forests 
(DCF); Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF).
Case Arising From
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Civil App

Excerpt shown. Read the full judgment & AI analysis in Lexace.