Are women unsuitable to perform the duties of Electricity Worker (Mazdoor) which involve climbing the poles, painting the transformers, assisting the engineers to draw electric lines, carrying materials to the work spot etc., requiring attention and execution round the clock? Whether Note (1) of Ext. P3 order of the Kerala State Electricity Board making women candidates ineligible for the above post is ultravires the Constitution of India?

2. Respondent No. 2-Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC, for short) issued Ext. P2 notification inviting applications for appointment to the post of Electricity Worker (Mazdoor) on requisition made by the Kerala State Electricity Board (hereinafter referred to, for short, the Board only). Ext. P2 was published in Gazette Extra-ordinary dated 17-5-2006. The method of appointment and the qualifications shown in Ext. P2 are in conformity with Ext. P3 rules. Note (2) to clause 7 of Ext. P2 prohibits women as also physically handicapped from applying for the post of Electricity Worker.

3. The petitioners, five in number, it is stated, possess the prescribed qualifications. According to them, but for the prohibition imposed against women fo