Nature and Limitations of Executive Orders in Supplementing Service Rules:
Executive orders (issued under Article 162 of the Constitution of India) can supplement statutory rules and provide operational methodology, but they cannot operate against or override the substantive service rules. Appointments made outside the prescribed regular recruitment channels (such as compassionate appointments or temporary stopgaps) are exceptional to Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution and cannot be placed at par with regular selections. Unambiguous special rules framed by an employer governing absorption and inter se seniority override repugnant general service rules when an overriding clause is present and unchallenged.