The core question arising for consideration in this writ petition is whether he petitioners who were directly selected for recruitment as Range Officers are entitled to claim seniority from the date of their advice or from the date of joining duty after completing the training . The petitioners claim seniority with effect from 21-10-1976, the date of advice. It is contended that respondents 3 to 10 who were directly selected as Forest apprentices are juniors to petitioners since respondents 3 to 10 joined service after the above stated date.

2. Kerala Public Service Commission published Ext.P1 notification on 6-7- 1976 inviting applications for selection as Forest Range Officer from among qualified persons by direct recruitment. Petitioners who had passed B.Tech Degree in Forestry from Calicut University applied for that post . On 21-10-1976, Ext.P2 advice memo was issued informing the petitioners that they had been selected for recruitment as Forest Range Officers subject to Rule 3(c) of the General Rules of the Kerala State and Subordinate Services Rules, 1958, for short, KS&SSR and whatever further checking Government may find it necessary to do so. They were informed