By the Court.—These two writ petitions pertain to appointment on the posts of Joint Registrar in the establishment of the Allahabad High Court covered by Allahabad High Court Officers and Staff (Conditions of Service and Conduct) Rules 1976 (hereinafter referred to as the Rules 1976). These petitions have been filed by the Deputy Registrars working in the establishment of the Allahabad High Court. Both the writ petitions have been clubbed and are being decided by means of this common judgment.

2. The first writ petition No. 45941 of 2013 has been filed by the Deputy Registrars who have to their credit a degree of law from a recognized University. They pray, that appointment on the post of the Joint Registrars by way of promotion may be made only from amongst such Deputy Registrars who are possessed of a degree of law from a recognized University. All other Deputy Registrars who do not possess a degree of law be excluded from the zone of consideration. Their submission is based on reading of Rule 20 (d) of Rules 1976 as also on the plea that several Committees of Hon’ble Judges have emphasized since 1994 repeatedly that a degree of law must be the minimum educational qualifi