S.H.A. Raza, J.

1. This bunch of writ petitions pertains to selection of suitable candidates on 216 posts of the Principals in Government (Boys/girls) Inter Colleges of the State. It was for the first time that exercise of such a magnitude was to be carried out by the Public Service Commission, U.P., Allahabad (hereinafter referred to as the Commission) in pursuance of the Advertisement dated May 8, 1996. The minimum qualifications prescribed for such a selection were:

(i) a post-graduate degree from a university established by law in India or a degree recognised by the Government as equivalent thereto.

(ii) L.T. Diploma of the Department of Education, U.P., or B.T. or B. Ed. or an equivalent degree of a university.

(iii) at least three years' 'experience as Head of a Higher Secondary or Normal School or in teaching Intermediate or Higher Secondary as a Lecturer in C.T. or L.T. Training College.

2. Condition No. 13 of the Advertisement provides that the candidature of such candidates who are subsequently found in eligible according to the terms laid down in the Advertisement, will be cancelled and their any claim for the main examination will not be entertained. The decision of