M.Y.Eqbal, J.

1. In these two writ applications, since common questions of law and facts are involved and a similar relief has been sought for, these applications are disposed of by this common order.

2. The petitioners have prayed for quashing the condition prescribed in paragraph 15.5 Clause (gha) of the prospectus wherein the age limit of 17 years as on 1.7.1997 has been fixed for appearing in the Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination, 1997, (hereinafter to be referred to as the B.C.E.C.E. 1997) as one of the eligibility criteria for admission in session 1997-98, and for direction to fix the cut-off date as 31.12.1997 for completing 17 years of age for appearing in the said examination. Further, prayer has been made for directing respondent No. 3, Controller of Examination to allow the petitioners son and daughter who have applied for appearing in the said examination and to publish their results.

3. The case of the petitioners is that since long the respondents have fixed the minimum age of 17 years as on 31st December of that year being one of the conditions for eligibility in appearing in the entrance examination. In the last year also, the respondents in th