JUDGMENT

1. There being a similitude of facts in both the writ petitions and the reliefs sought being connected to each other, the petitions are decided by a common judgement.

2. For the sake of brevity, the facts common to both the writ petitions and relevant to the issues arising are that the Petitioner was appointed as Assistant Registrar with the Respondent University (hereinafter referred to as `University') on 22.05.2008 in PB-3 with Grade Pay Rs.5,400/- and after 8 years of service was placed in Grade Pay of Rs.6,600/- with effect from 22.05.2016.

3. University vide Advertisement dated 21.11.2015 invited applications for recruitment to two posts of Deputy Registrars in PB-3 with Grade Pay Rs.7,600/- on Deputation/Short term contract basis. The University Officers' Association represented to the Vice-Chancellor on 24.11.2015 for immediate withdrawal of the Advertisement as the candidates in direct line of promotion in their respective feeder cadre were not eligible for applying. A request was made to grant ad hoc promotions to 3 internal candidates namely, Shri Jagdish Singh (SC), Shri Manoj Kumar Manuj (Gen.) and the Petitioner in terms of DoPT OM dated 30.03.1988. Uni