JUDGMENT :

M. S. KARNIK, J.

1. Before we state the facts in detail, a birds eye view of the controversy is set out for convenience, considering that a large number of petitions need to be dealt with involving common issues. We are dealing with two groups pitted against each other espousing their respective cause. These writ petitions are clubbed together as common questions are involved. One group pertains to the writ petitions filed by the candidates selected to the posts reserved for Economically Weaker Sections (hereafter ‘EWS’ for short) category, and the other group of writ petitions is filed by the candidates selected/aspiring to the posts reserved for Socially and Educationally Backward Class (hereafter “SEBC” for sho