JUDGMENT :

(A. Muhamed Mustaque, J.)

The petitioners were the applicants before the Tribunal. They were included in the ranked list for the post of High School Assistant (Malayalam) in Kozhikode District. The ranked list came into force on 09/08/2017 and expired on 08/08/2020. The grievance of the petitioners was that the actual number of vacancies was not disclosed by the Department and therefore, advice should be made in respect of all vacancies that were in existence during the currency of the ranked list.

2. It is to be noted that on the basis of the interim order passed by the Tribunal on 30/06/2021 and 04/08/2020, 40 vacancies were reported to the PSC. The Tribunal taking note of the above, directed the Director of General Education to report, whether any such vacancy existed, in the prescribed format, after giving the opportunity of hearing to the applicants, within a period of three months. This order was passed on 05/03/2024. This Court, by an interim order, dated 29/07/2024, directed the Department to carry out the exercise to find out the number of vacancies that exist; which was being reiterated; and finally, pursuant to the direction issued on 09/01/2025, a statement has