JUDGMENT

A.K.MATHUR,J.

1.These appeals are directed against the orders dated 27th November, 2002 in WA No. 2830/2002 and 7th November, 2002 in WANo. 2646/02 & 2690/2002 passed by the Division Bench of the Kerala High Court whereby the Division Bench has upheld the order passed by the learned Single Judge and dismissed the Writ Applications. The writ appeal was filed by the appellant as well as State of Kerala. Hence, the present appeals.

2.For the convenient disposal of these appeals, facts given in the case of R.S. Jayakumar are taken into consideration. The promotion as a Ranger in the Kerala Forest Subordinate Service from among Departmental candidates i.e. Deputy Rangers and Foresters was provided by the Kerala Forest Subordinate Service Rules (hereinafter referred to as the Rules) framed under proviso to Article 309 of the constitution of India. Rule 2 prescribes the mode of appointment of Rangers which is partly by Direct recruitment (25%), partly by appointment of Forest Apprentices (25%), partly by promotion of Deputy Rangers/Foresters (25%) who had undergone Foresters Training.

3.We are concerned with the third category i.e. the appointment of Ra