JUDGMENT :

1. Heard Shri Radha Kant Ojha, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Shri Shivendu Ojha, learned counsel for the petitioners, Shri Sameer Sharma, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Mrs. Busra Mariyam, learned counsel for respondent nos. 2 and 3, Shri Namit Srivastava, who appears for the selected candidates and whose impleadment application was allowed on 05.12.2022, Shri Akhilesh Kumar Singh, who appears for the Intervener who had also appeared in the written examination and Shri Parvez Alam, who appears and has filed an impleadment application on behalf of candidates who had not been selected, however, their marks have not been disclosed only on account of the pendency of the writ petition.

2. The issue that arises for consideration is confined to the interpretation of Rule 8 of the Allahabad High Court Officer and Staff (Conditions of Service and Conduct) Rules 1976 as amened in the year 2021 notified on 27.03.2021.

3. The facts, in brief, are that the petitioners claimed to be working as Class-IV employees in the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad and claim that t