1. The petitioner was enlisted as a Police Constable in the District Armed Reserve, Trichy district on 10.11.1975. The petitioner was promoted as Head Constable on 11.8.1986. On bifurcation of Perambalur district, the petitioner was transferred to that district in April 1986.

2. According to the Service Rules governing service conditions, any approved probationer in the cadre of Armed Reserve Head Constable is eligible to participate in the Range Promotion Board to be conducted for the preparation of the 'C' list of Head Constable fit for promotion as Sub Inspector of Police, Cat-II.

3. The Director General of Police, issued a memorandum directing the Range Deputy Inspector Generals of Police and Commissioner of Police to convene the Range Promotion Board for the preparation of the 'C' list of Head Constable fit for promotion as Sub Inspector of Police, Cat-II.

4. The petitioner being Head Constable since 11.08.1986, was fully eligible to participate in Range Promotion Board, and accordingly participated in the selection.

5. As per the memorandum, a qualified Head Constable had to secure 50% marks in the written test and viva voce examination, so as to become eligible