JUDGMENT :

1. Heard Mr. Jaideep Narain Mathur, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Mr. Madhusudan Srivastava and Mr. Anupras Singh, learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr. Neerav Chitravanshi, learned counsel for the contesting opposite parties.

2. This petition was initially filed by eight petitioners, however, subsequently petitioners no. 5, 6, 7 and 8 have withdrawn their writ petitions as permitted vide order dated 24.11.2015 passed by this Court, therefore, the petition survives only in respect of petitioners no. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

3. The facts of the case, in brief, are that an advertisement bearing No. 3/Vidyut Sewa Ayog/98 was issued by the U.P. Electricity Regulatory Service Commission inviting applications for selection and appointment as Assistant Engineer Trainee (E&M) and Junior Engineer Trainee (E&M) in the erstwhile U.P. State Electricity Board (hereinafter referred as 'Board'). The petitioners applied in pursuance to the said advertisement and appeared in the selection. The result of the selection was declared on 19.12.2000 and 30.12.2000, but, prior to it, on 23.06.1999, an Act known as U.P. Electricity Reforms Act, 1999 (hereinafter referred to as the 'Act 1999') was