JUDGMENT :

K. Sema, J

The present appeal has been preferred against the judgment & order dated 08.04.2022 passed by the learned Single Judge dismissing W.P.(C) No. 213/2018 on the ground that there is no merit in the case.

2. Before adverting to the impugned judgment & order, the brief fact of the case is narrated as follows;

(i) That the Nagaland Rural Development Service Rules, 2006 regulates recruitment and conditions of service of the employees in the department. In terms of the said rules, 25% of the post in the grade of Block Development Officer (BDO) and its equivalent post such as Rural Development Officer (RDO) and Assistant Project Officer (APO) is reserved for promotees and the remaining 75% is reserved for direct recruit through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (in short, NPSC).

(ii) That by an advertisement dated 05/07/2012 the NPSC notified the selection process for the combined civil services exam under the State. By the Addendum dated 12/07/2012, 16(sixteen) posts of BDO in the Rural Development Department were also advertised.

(iii) Pursuant to the selection process the petitioners were recommended for appointment to the post of BDO and consequent to which the noti