R. SUDHAKAR, J.

1. This batch of cases can be broadly classified into four categories as under:

Category-I: Writ Appeals filed by the appointees under Rule 10(a) (i) of the Tamil Nadu State and Subordinate Service Rules (for brevity, “the Rules”), who are not arrayed as parties in the writ petitions before the learned Single Judge and whose appointments were set aside by the learned Single Judge by order dated 12.9.2012 made in W.P.(MD) Nos.1666, 2093, 1646, 374 and 375 of 2012. [W.A.(MD) Nos.818, 827, 861 and 876 of 2012; 97 and 98 of 2013; 882, 883, 944, 946, 950 and 1020 of 2015 fall under this category.]

Category-II: Writ Appeals filed by the Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services and the Professional Executive Employment Branch Offices challenging the order of the learned Single Judge dated 12.9.2012 made in W.P.(MD) Nos.374, 375, 1646 and 2093 of 2012. [W.A.(MD) Nos.176 to 179 of 2013 fall under this category.]

Category-III: Writ Petitions filed by the appointees under Rule 10(a) (i) of the Rules to quash the Notification No.05/2013, dated 8.3.2013 as illegal, insofar as notification of their vacancies are concerned and to consequentially direct the r