COURT’S OR JUDGE’S ORDERS

(2) Since common questions of fact and law are involved in both the writ petitions, therefore, these are being heard and decided together by this common judgment and order. However, for brevity, facts of WPSS No. 702 of 2026 alone are being considered and discussed here.

(3) Petitioner served in Indian Army and retired as Sepoy in 2018. Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission issued advertisement inviting applications for appointment as Personal Assistant and Stenographer in different government departments. Petitioner responded to the said advertisement and participated in the selection process.

(4) It is not in dispute that petitioner claimed benefit of reservation available to Ex- Servicemen. As per the provision contained in U.P. Public Services (Reservation for Physically Handicapped, Dependants of Freedom Fighters and Ex-Servicemen) Act, 1993, Ex-Servicemen are entitled to reservation to the extent of 5 per cent in State services. Since petitioner’s name did not figure in the list of successful candidates in the written examination and, according to petitioner, not a single person belonging to Ex-Servicemen category was selected or recommended for appointment,