1. The only question for consideration in this writ petition is whether the 2nd respondent was justified in holding that the petitioner was not qualified for recruitment as Block Development Officer. The petitioner was appointed as a Gram Sevak by the Government of Madras by their proceedings dated 8th June, 1954. On the selection of the petitioner to the post of Gram Sevak he was sent for training. The Government of Kerala by their order dated 26-7-1962 laid down certain rules for recruitment of the Block Development Officers. It was laid down by that order that 80 per cent of the post of Block Development Officers will be filled up by promotion from 5 different categories of Officers of which the last one is the Gram Sevaks.

Clause (4) of that order runs as follows

"However, a minimum service of five years in the Blocks on the date of application will be insisted on in the case of Junior Statistical Inspectors and Social Education Organisers while in the case of Gramsevaks this minimum will be eight years of service in the post of Gramsevak on the date of application.

The petitioner filed an application in pursuance of the invitation for the same by the Kerala Public Ser