1. Delay condoned.

3. We have heard learned counsel for the parties.

5. The facts, briefly stated, are that the respondent was born in a forward caste family. She married a person belonging to the Namsudra community which is a Scheduled Caste in the State of Tripura. On 30-4-1975 the respondent submitted an application to the District Magistrate and Collector, West Tripura stating that she belongs to a Scheduled Caste community (Namsudra) and she requested for a certificate certifying the same. On the basis of the averments made by her in the said application, the District Magistrate and Collector, West Tripura, issued a certificate dated 5-5-1975 certifying that the respondent belongs to the Namsudra community which is recognised as a Scheduled Caste. In 1987 the respondent appeared as a Scheduled Caste candidate in the examination conducted by the Tripura Public Service Commission (hereinafter referred to as "the Commission") for recruitment to the cadre / ex cadre post (junior grade) of