- (1.) The above titled three intra-court appeals, bearing LPA Nos. 599, 977 and 1405 of 2015 under Clause X of the Letters Patent have been filed by the appellant against the common order dated 8.1.2015 passed by learned Single Judge, whereby five writ petitions [bearing CWP Nos. 25960, 26310, 26370, 26780 of 2014 and CWP No. 17 of 2015] were allowed.
(2.) Relevant facts of the case are that respondents challenged the selection process initiated by Punjab Public Service Commission, Patiala [for short, "the Commission"] for appointment to 120 vacancies of Punjab Civil Services [Executive Branch] and Allied Services by prescribing minimum 33% marks for each paper. As per the petitioners, the same was against the mandate of circular dated 3.1.2014 [Annexure P/3] prescribing procedure and pattern. Advertisement No. 9 dated 6th December, 2013 [Annexure P/1] was issued by the Commission. The procedure and scheme for conduct of Preliminary and Mains examination was notified by the Commission on 3.1.2014 itself. The syllabus and procedure for conducting the competitive exam is as under:- JUDGEMENT_27_LAWS(P&H)1_2016_1.html
(3.) Pursuant to the advertisement, 24,000 candidates appeared for the Preliminary examination held on 23.03.2014. Out of them, 1414 candidates cleared the preliminary examination which included private respondents herein. Thereafter the main examination [written] was held and 213 candidates were called for interview. The respondents challenged the process of appointment by invoking the writ jurisdiction.;