1. The petitioner in the original petition apart from seeking to quash Ext. P3 passed by the second respondent rejecting the petitioner's representation Ext. P2 which questioned the promotion of the persons referred to therein as Sheristadar, District Court in the Travancore-Cochin area, has also prayed for being promoted as Sheristadar, District Court in the Travancore-Cochin area earlier than respondents 3 to 8 in view of his alleged preferential claim based upon law qualification. The petitioner entered service in the Judicial Department of the erstwhile Travancore State on 25121118. He passed the Travancore Account Test in 1119 M. E., graduated in 1959 and took the B. L. Degree in April 1962. By seniority he was appointed Sheristadar of the Sub Court in the Travancore-Cochin area in March 1963. The petitioner's case is that according to the rule in force in the Travancore State and subsequently in the Travancore-Cochin State and also followed in the State of Kerala with reference to the Travancore-Cochin personnel the minimum qualification prescribed for the post of the Sheristadar. District Court in the Travancore-Cochin area is Account Test and B. L. degree. Accor