1. - In all the above-mentioned writ petitions, common questions of law have been raised, therefore, all the petitions are decided by single order. It is claimed by the petitioners that the Combined Competitive Examinations for Lower Division Clerks, for which advertisement was issued on July 23,1987 (Ex.1) were not held in accordance with the Rajasthan Subordinate Offices Ministerial Staff Rules, 1957 (for brevity, 'Rules, 1957') and option of giving two Districts for appointment was not given, therefore, meritorious Candidates could not get appointment. It has been prayed that the selection made and appointments given be, therefore, quashed & set aside. Alternatively, out of the remaining vacancies in Bikaner district, the petitioners be given appointment as lower Division Clerks.

2. The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (for brevity, 'RPSC') issued an advertisement dated July 23, 1986, inviting applications for Lower Division clerks combined Competitive Examination for filling up the vacancies in Subordinate offices, Rajasthan Secretariat & RPSC in accordance with the procedure Laid down in Rules 19,20 &21 of the Rules, 1957. There were, in all 888 vacancies in Subordi