S. Siri Jagan, J.

These Writ Petitions relate to the selection and appointment to the post of Section Officers in the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (hereinafter referred to as ‘the University’). In O.P.No.8571/2000, filed immediately after publication of the Notification inviting applications for the post, the petitioner challenges the notification itself as ultra vires the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit Act and the Statutes made there under. In O.P.No.18462/2000, the petitioners challenge the notification inviting applications as well as the selection and appointment made pursuant to the same after participating in the selection process. In W.P.(C) Nos.25777, 26486, 28932 and 28933 of 2003, the petitioners challenge the select list and in O.P.No.12352/2002, two of the selected candidates challenge the inter se seniority allotted to the selected candidates.

2. By a notification dated 4.12.1999 (Ext.P1 in O.P.No.8571/2000), the University invited applications from qualified Assistants/Section Officers working in the Universities Of Kerala State to the post of Section Officers in the University. The qualifications stipulated in the notification were,