JUDGMENT :

Dhiraj Singh Thakur, J.

WP(C) No.255/2022 & WP(C) No.396/2022

1. With a view to understand the background in which the present controversy has arisen, it is necessary to state the material facts in brief.

2. The petitioners responded to notification No. 2-PSC of 2021 dated 26.02.2021, whereby the Public Service Commission invited applications from eligible candidates for the J&K Combined Competitive Preliminary Examinations 2021. The scheme of examination comprised of the following:-

(i) Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Examination for the selection of candidates for main examination;

(ii) Combined Competitive main examination written & interview, and

(iii) Personality test.

3. The preliminary examination consisted of two papers i.e. GS-I & GS-II. Paper GS-II was in the nature of a qualifying examination, inasmuch as, the candidate had to secure a minimum of 33% marks in the said paper. In regard to the GS-I, the Public Service Commission was given the discretion to fix the minimum qualifying marks as it deemed appropriate. According to the learned counsel for the Public Service Commission, Mr. Azhar-ul-Amin, marks obtained in GS-1 would also contribute to determining th