( 1 ) THIS writ appeal and the writ petition involve a common question as to the interpretation of Art. 16 (4) and Art. 15 (4) of the Constitution of India. They can therefore be conveniently disposed of under one common judgment.

( 2 ) THE writ appeal is from the order of our learned brother, Gopalakrishnan Nair J. , given on 26-11-1964 by which he dismissed the writ petition in limine

( 3 ) THE writ petition 1475/64 is filed under Art. 226 of the Constitution for the issue of a writ of certiorari for bringing up the record relating to the Government of India communications Nos. 15/5/61-SCT-IV dated 14-8-1961 and F. 5-3-63-SCH-IV dated 5/4/1963 and to quash the same and to issue a direction to the respondent to continue the list of backward classes which was in vogue up to the year 1959-60.

( 4 ) THE material facts in regard to the writ appeal are that the two petitioner filed an application for the issue of a writ of Mandamus for declaring the notification issued by the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission dated 29-10-1964 inviting applications for competitive examinations for direct recruitment to posts in Group I service as ultra virus, and to issue a consequentia