ANIL K. NARENDRAN, J.

1. O.P.(KAT)Nos.111 of 2014 and 95 of 2015 arise out of O.A.(EKM) No.44 of 2014 and O.A.No.448 of 2013 on the file of the Kerala Administrative Tribunal, Thiruvananthapuram Bench.

2. Since common issues are involved, these Original Petitions are heard together and disposed of by this common judgment. For convenience, we shall refer facts as contained in O.P.(KAT)No.111 of 2014 arising out of O.A.(EKM)No.44 of 2014.

3. The petitioners in these Original Petitions, who are the applicants before the Tribunal, are aspirants for the post of Higher Secondary School Teacher in Sociology under the Kerala Higher Secondary Education State Service Rules, 2001 and Higher Secondary School Teacher (Junior) in Sociology under the Kerala Higher Secondary Education Subordinate Service Rules, 2001. They have approached the Tribunal in the said O.As. seeking similar reliefs. The reliefs sought for in O.A.(EKM)No.44 of 2014 read thus;

“(i) To declare that Rule 5 of the Kerala Higher Secondary Education State Service Rules, 2001 issued as per G.O.(P) No.144/2001/G.Edn. da