J U D G M E N T

AMIT MAHAJAN, J.

1. The present Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the following prayers:

“a. Pass an appropriate writ or order or direction striking down the DoPT OM dated 31.01.2019 as violative of Article 14 and Article 16(1) of the Constitution of India, and further pass an appropriate writ or order or direction striking down the FAQs dated 19.09.2022 issued by Respondent No. 2 DOPT to the extent it accords parity to the candidates of EWS category with the candidates of General Category in age criterion and denies candidates belonging to the EWS category any age relaxation as has been extended to candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (Central-NCL) categories, and further pass an appropriate writ or order or direction striking down the

C.S.E. 2024 Notification issued by Respondent No. 3 UPSC to the extent it does not provide any age relaxation for the EWS Category; and

b. Pass an appropriate writ/ order or direction in the nature of mandamus to the Respondents directing them to extend the same relaxation/concession in age/attempts as is extended to candidates belonging to Central OBC Lists also to the candida