JUDGMENT :

S. MANU, J.

1. The petitioner is the applicant in O.A. No. 487 of 2021 of the Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT), Thiruvananthapuram. He is challenging the final order dated 9.2.2023 passed by the KAT by which the original application was dismissed.

2. The issue involved in the case relates to the transfer/recruitment from in-service candidates to the post of Range Forest Officers in the Forest and Wildlife Department. In the O.A. the petitioner stated that he is working as Beat Forest Officer. He joined duty on 20.10.2011. As on the date of filing the O.A. the petitioner was aged 34 years and claimed to have qualifying service of 9 years, 4 months and 16 days.

3. By Annexure-A4 notification dated 30.8.2016 of the Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) seven vacancies of Range Forest Officers were notified for recruitment by transfer from Forest Officers, namely, Wildlife Assistant, Deputy Ranger, Forester and Beat Forest Officer. It has been clearly stated in the notification that the number of vacancies mentioned are provisional, subject to change according to the allotment of seats by the Director of Forestry Education, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government o