The State of Haryana v. Krishan Kumar & Ors.
Background
Haryana and Karnataka required prior manufacturing/testing experience for Drug Inspector recruitment, beyond what the central Drugs and Cosmetics Rules require; two High Courts struck the extra requirement down.
Decision Breakdown
The Supreme Court held only the Centre can prescribe Drug Inspector qualifications under the Act, states cannot add extra eligibility conditions through their own rules, and upheld both High Courts, directing redrawn selection lists per the central criteria.
Lesson Learnt
When a central law already fully covers a subject like job qualifications, a state cannot quietly add stricter conditions of its own without amending the central law.