Operation of legitimate expectation in long-term temporary public service

When contractual or temporary employees are engaged through a recognized selection process against sanctioned posts and continue to discharge their duties satisfactorily for over a decade with continuous extensions, a legitimate expectation arises that their long and dedicated public service will be recognized by the State. Repeated extensions, monetary upgrades, and expressions of confidence by executive authorities naturally nurture a justified expectation of tenure stability. While temporary workers engaged without a lawful selection process cannot invoke this doctrine, employees appointed pursuant to a transparent, regular selection process are fully entitled to rely on the doctrine of legitimate expectation. (Bhola Nath v. The State of Jharkhand | 2026 INSC 99)