Pankaj Mithal, J. - (1.) Heard Sri Narendra Pratap Singh, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri Ashish Mishra, learned counsel appearing for the respondents.
(2.) The petitioner by means of this writ petition is seeking a direction to provisionally permit him to appear in the U.P. Higher Judicial Service, 2018 Part-III by giving 5 years of age relaxation to him as an Ex-Serviceman as is being provided to the SC, ST and OBC candidates.
(3.) In this regard Rule 12 of the U.P. Higher Judicial Service Rules, 1975 is relevant which is reproduced herein below for the sake of convenience: "12. Age-A candidate for direct recruitment must have attained the age of 35 years and must not have attained the age of 45 years on the first day of January next following the year in which the notice inviting applications is published; Provided that the upper age limit shall be higher by three years in case of candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and such other categories as may be notified by the Government from time to time." ;