JUDGMENT :

Heard Mr. Diganta Das, learned Senior Counsel, assisted by Mr. K Mohammad, learned counsel, appearing for the petitioners.

Also heard Mr. K. Gogoi, learned standing counsel, Higher Education Department; appearing on behalf of respondents No. 1 & 2; Mr. T. J. Mahanta, learned senior counsel, assisted by Ms. P. Sarma, learned counsel, appearing on behalf of respondent No. 3[Assam Public Service Commission(APSC)]; Mr. S. Borthakur, learned counsel, appearing on behalf of respondents No. 4 to 18; Mr. S. Dutta, learned senior counsel, assisted by Mr. D. J. Medhi, learned counsel, appearing on behalf of respondent No. 19; and Mr. D. S. Bhattacharya, learned counsel appearing on behalf of respondents No. 20 to 28.

2. As consented to by the learned counsels appearing for the parties; this writ petition is taken-up for final consideration and disposal.

3. The facts as requisite for consideration of the issue as arising in the present proceeding, is noticed as under:

The Assam Public Service Commission(APSC) on a requisition being placed before it by the concerned Department, proceeded to issue an Advertisement, dated 25.05.2017, inviting applications, amongst others, for 66 post