By the Court.—These two writ petitions have been filed by the prospective candidates for the posts of Readers and Lecturers, subject-matter of the advertisement No. 1 of 2009 dated 25.7.2009 published by Dr. Bheem Rao Ambedkar University, Agra (hereinafter referred to as the Agra University). The petitions raise common question of law in the matter of reservation to be applied against posts of Readers and Lecturers. They have been clubbed together and are being decided by means of the common judgment.

2. We have heard Sri Anil Bhushan, advocate on behalf of the petitioners, Sri C.B. Yadav, learned Additional Advocate General on behalf of the State of U.P., Sri S.K. Singh, learned counsel on behalf of the University and Sri Ashok Khare, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Sri Siddharth Khare, Advocate on behalf of the selected candidates who had filed an impleadment application which was granted under order dated 12.8.2013.

3. Before proceeding with the merits of the petitions, it is necessary to record the following facts :

In the present petitions, an order was passed by a division Bench of this Court on 13.9.2012 refusing to grant an interim order. Against the order dated