JUDGMENT :

Alexander Thomas, J.

These Original Petitions are directed against the impugned common order rendered on 22.03.2022 in O.A. (Ekm) Nos.954 of 2020 and 1732 of 2018 on the file of the Kerala Administrative Tribunal, Ernakulam Bench.

2. The sole petitioner in the first O.P. is the applicant no.2 in that O.A. and the sole petitioner in the latter O.P. is the applicant no.2 in the corresponding O.A.

3. Heard Sri. Kaleeswaram Raj, learned counsel instructed by Smt. Aparna Menon, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners in these cases, Sri. B. Unnikrishna Kaimal, learned Senior Government Pleader appearing for the official respondents in these cases and Sri. P.C. Sasidharan, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondent Public Service Commission.

4. The petitioners herein are candidates included in the rank list for the post of High School Assistant (Hindi) in the Education Department, Palakkad District (Category No.662/2012), which was finalised by the respondent PSC on 12.07.2017 and expired on 11.07.2020, after running the maximum three year validity period. The