Balakrishnan Nair, J.

Since common questions arose for decision in these Writ Appeals, they are heard and disposed of together by this common judgment. The main point that arises for decision in these cases is whether the Mahatma Gandhi University can make appointments to more vacancies than that are notified for selection.

2. This appeal is treated as the main case. The appellant was the 2nd respondent in the writ petition. Respondents 2 and 3 were the writ petitioners. The 1st respondent University issued Ext.P3 notification dated 212.2005, inviting applications for various teaching posts under it. Item No.16 under the said notification was for appointment to two posts of Lecturer International Relations/Political Sciences/History/Economics in the School of International Relations. The writ petitioners were qualified for appointment to the said post. Pursuant to the said notification, the Selection Committee met on 8.3.2006, held the interview of the candidates and published the rank list on 25.2006. The appellant was ranked as Rank No.2. He was an open merit candidate. Rank No.1 was appointed in the open merit vacancy. The second vacancy was filled up by an Ezhava res