JUDGMENT :

VIKRAM NATH, J.

1. The issue involved for consideration in this appeal is as to whether the respondents have correctly applied the horizontal reservation meant for the Ex-Servicemen in the 2018 recruitment process for the Gujarat Police Force, Class-III posts. The Lokrakshak Recruitment Board issued advertisement on 14.08.2018 inviting applications for 6189 posts (which was subsequently enhanced to 9713 posts) for selection of Unarmed Police Constables, Armed Police Constables and Jail Sepoy. As per the advertisement, 10% posts were reserved for Ex-servicemen as a special reservation to be applied horizontally. Accordingly, 971 posts were available for Ex-Servicemen category across the board i.e. all the categories of social reservation and open category.

2. The selection process was in two stages. First is a written examination and second is a physical efficiency test/physical standard test. The present appellants who are the original writ petitioners had qualified in the written examination and were therefore called for the physical efficiency test/physical standard