of Artificers. Artificers are of various types such as Aircraft Artificers, Electrical Artificers etc. The appellant contended that the Artificers are highly skilled technical personnel. The sailors in the Artificer branch are graded Civil Appeal Nos. 6886-6887 of 2011 Page 1 of 9according to their level of technical competence, experience, and responsibilities. The ranks of sailors in the Artificer branch start from Artificer V, Artificer IV, Artificer III, Artificer II, Artificer I, Chief Artificer, Master Chief Artificer IInd Class and Master Chief Artificer Ist Class. Artificer cadre is categorised as “X group” sailors. On the other hand, non- Artificers from the non-technical branch are categorised in “Y group” and “Z group”. 3. On 30th August 2008, the Government of India accepted the 6th Central Pay Commission recommendations. Accordingly, a Gazette Notification of 30th August 2008 was issued, which was brought into force with retrospective effect from 1st January 2006.