JUDGMENT :

1. Heard Mr. PK Tiwari, learned Senior counsel for the petitioner in WP(C) No. 187(AP)/2021 and Ms. Nikita Darggen, learned counsel for the petitioners in WP(C) 175(AP)/2020. Also heard Mr. S Tapin, learned Senior Government Advocate, Arunachal Pradesh.

2. Brief facts of WP(C) 187 (AP)/2021:

The petitioner is Class XII pass in science stream and was directly recruited as Forest Ranger in 1984 in terms of Group C (Non-Gazetted) General Central Service Recruitment Rules, 1984 which governed the recruitment of Forest Ranger. After his appointment as Forest Ranger, the petitioner underwent 2 years Forest Rangers Certificate Course. Thereafter, the petitioner was promoted to APFS-II (Grade-II) i.e. Assistant Conservator of Forest, Group B (Gazetted) vide order dated 05.10.1994 under Arunachal Pradesh Forest Service Rules, 1990. Vide order dated 20.07.2010, he was promoted to APFS-I (Grade-I) i.e. Deputy Conservator of Forest (Selection Grade) under Arunachal Pradesh Forest Service Rules, 1999. The Arunachal Pradesh Forest Service Rules, 1999 were substituted by the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Service Rules, 2019 under which the qualification for promotion from Forest Ranger to v