Mukul Mudgal, J.

1. This judgment will dispose of Civil Writ Petitions No. 14181 and 15210 of 2007, 3900, 4364, 4776, 5032, 5184, 5843, 6183, 6221, 6245, 6627, 6660, 6697, 6801, 7501, 7599, 8012, 8296, 8278, 11690, 11650, 12344, 18943, 19971, 21415 of 2008 and 1140 of 2009. Since common questions are involved, the facts from CWP No. 6801 of 2008 are taken as illustration. In all these writ petitions, selection to 4000 posts of Educational Services Providers and 9998 posts of Teaching Fellows (against the posts of JBT/ETT Teachers), is in dispute.

First we will deal with Civil Writ Petitions No. 14181 and 15210 of 2007, 6801, 8012, 8296, 8278, 11650, 11690, 12344, 18943 and 19971 of 2008 and 1140 of 2009, wherein challenge is to the awarding of 5 additional marks to the candidates who passed their 8th and 10th examination from rural areas.

2. The State of Punjab advertised 4000 Posts of Educational Services Providers vide advertisement dated August 29, 2007 (P-6), against a consolidated pay of Rs. 5400/- per month. The last date for receipt of applications, of the eligible candidates, was fixed as September 17, 2007. In the same manner, by advertisement dated September 5, 20