Guwahati: A deepening crisis over seniority protocols within the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has reached a breaking point, as several aggrieved officers are now seeking intervention of MHA and DoPT against departmental approach disregarding a Delhi High Court order and against undue favour in promotions.
The controversy stems from a 2020 policy shift in which the SSB drew a new seniority list for the post of Assistant Commandants (General Duty). Departing from the standard practice of granting seniority based on the date of continuous appointment, the force began backdating the seniority of direct recruits to the date their recruitment results were declared—often months or years before they actually entered into service.
The policy change has reportedly pushed hundreds of junior direct recruits ahead of senior officers who entered the rank through promotions or the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE).
Internal sources claim this retrospective confirmation of seniority was not only in violation of statutory recruitment rules but also violative to Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) guidelines and the 2020 Supreme Court precedent set in K. Meghachandra Singh v. Ningam Siro, which ruled that seniority cannot be granted before an officer is actually appointed.
On October 28, 2025, the Delhi High Court intervened, quashing the SSB’s disputed seniority list. The Court directed the force to restore the “date of continuous appointment” as the yardstick for determination of seniority.
Despite the judicial verdict, aggrieved officers allege that the SSB has continued to promote junior personnel as several junior Assistant Commandants have been promoted over their seniors in December,2025.
“Even while the matter was sub-judice, and now after a clear court order, promotions are being pushed through,” said one officer on the condition of anonymity. “Seniors are being superseded by their juniors in a rank-conscious disciplined force, which is devastating for morale.”
The affected officers—many of whom have served for decades—report significant distortion in ranks and files besides financial losses, including delayed increments and the loss of associated benefits. There are also concerns that the SSB implemented these changes without the mandatory approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Affected officers are now calling for the MHA and DoPT to intervene directly to enforce the High Court’s ruling.
