R. Gogoi, J.

1. This writ appeal is projected against the judgment and order dated 25.6.2002 passed by a learned Single Judge of this Court allowing the writ petition filed by the Respondent No. 5 in the present writ appeal.

2. As the facts have been exhaustively enumerated in the judgment under appeal, only the core facts may be noticed as hereunder:

At the relevant point of time, in the State of Assam, a student before reaching the graduate level of study had an option of pursuing two different patterns of education. In the Higher Secondary Schools of the State, at the stage of the 8th Standard, a student had to opt for any one of the three streams of study, i.e., Arts, Science or Commerce. The examination in Classes VIII, IX and X were conducted by the school whereas after the XI Class, an examination was conducted by the Board. This was known as the Higher Secondary Examination, on passing of which, a student could join in the graduation course in one of the three disciplines. In the other government schools, a student was required to appear at the Matriculation/HSLC examination after completion of studies in Class X and the said examination was conducted by the Board. Aft