Chitambaresh, J.

1. Can the Kerala Public Service Commission ('the PSC' for short) be compelled by the issue of a writ of mandamus to extend the period of validity of a ranked list?

2. The enabling provision can be found in the fifth proviso to Rule 13 of the Kerala Public Service Commission Rules of Procedure ('the Rules' for short) which is extracted below for easy reference:

“Provided further that if the Commission is satisfied of the existence of a period of general ban declared by the Government on the reporting of vacancies to the Public Service Commission or of any other circumstances or of any extra-ordinary situation in which the reporting of vacancies by the appointing authorities is prevented or restricted or delayed, the Commission shall have the power to keep alive the Ranked Lists which are normally due to expire during the said period for such periods as may be decided by the Commission subject to a minimum period of three months or for such further periods but not exceeding one and a half year in the aggregate. If the Commission so decides it shall issue a Notification keeping alive the Ranked Lists in the above manner and shall advise candidates from such Ra