Judgment

M. Jagannadha Rao, J.-We have before us these three Interlocutory Applications Nos. 1 to 3 filed for “clarification” by the State of Punjab in Civil Appeal Nos. 3792-94 of 1989 (Ajit Singh Januja & Ors v. State of Punjab1) (hereinafter referred to as Ajit Singh in this judgment). The matter concerns a dispute relating to seniority of reserved candidates and general candidates.

2. At the outset we make it clear that in this judgment we are not concerned with the reservation policy of the State or with the validi­ty of any procedure fixing roster points for purpose of promotion of reserved candidates. We are here dealing only with a limited question relating mainly to seniority of the reserved candidates promoted at roster points.

3. We also make it clear that what we are deciding today is based on principles already laid down by this Court since 1950 and in particu­lar since 1963. Basing on those principles, we are concerned with the limited question as to whether Union of India v. Virpal Singh2 and Ajit Singh Januja v. State of Punjab (supra), which were earlier decided in favour of the general candidates are to be affirmed or whether the latter deviation made in Jagdish L