States Cannot Prescribe Qualifications Beyond Those Laid Down under Union Law: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India has delivered an important judgment clarifying the limits of State power in prescribing qualifications for public posts governed by Central law. The case arose from disputes involving appointments to the post of Drug Inspector under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. The controversy centered on whether State Governments could impose additional eligibility conditions beyond those fixed by the…