Judgment :

ALTAMAS KABIR, J.

1. On the request of the Government of Assam to select candidates by way of direct recruitment for filling up 30 posts in each category of ACS Class-I and ACS Class-II, the Assam Public Service Commission, hereinafter referred to as `the ASPC', published an advertisement on 22nd May, 1984, for the aforesaid purpose in terms of Rule 4 of the Assam Civil Services (Class-I) Rules, 1960. Subsequently, the Government of Assam informed the APSC on 24th November, 1984, that a decision had been taken to relax the upper age limit by two years. Accordingly, a revised advertisement was published by APSC on 28th November, 1984, incorporating the decision to relax the upper age limit by two years. Pursuant to the said advertisement, a written test was conducted by the APSC, as required under the aforesaid Rules, hereinafter referred to as `the 1960 Rules', between 5th June, 1984, to 1st August, 1985, and the results of the said written examination were declared on 22nd February, 1986. Vive voce test was thereafter conducted by the APSC from 25th April, 1986, to 30th May, 1986, in respect of those candidates who had qualified in the written examination. Thereafter, th