Aparesh Kumar Singh, J. - (1.) Heard learned counsel for the parties.
(2.) The question required to be answered in the instant matter is whether the petitioner is entitled for appointment as Deputy Collector under the recruitment exercise held by Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC in short) under the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Combined Limited Deputy Collector Recruitment Exam held pursuant to the advertisement bearing No. 09/2010 dated 8th October, 2010 as per merit in the General Category.
(3.) The brief facts relevant for arriving at an answer to the instant issue are being referred to hereunder: "The instant recruitment exercise known as Combined Limited Deputy Collector Recruitment Exam (hereinafter to be referred as LDCE in short) undertook by JPSC was intended to fill up notified vacant post of Deputy Collector in Jharkhand Administrative Service from amongst serving Class -III employees under the Respondent Government of Jharkhand. The other details relating to eligibility and qualification etc. need not be gone into for the reason that the question involved herein relates to applicability of horizontal reservation by the respondents in the appointment process." This claim of the petitioner for recruitment is related to vacancies of 4th Combined Limited Deputy Collector Recruitment Exam conducted by JPSC, in which 66 posts were advertised, 32 in Unreserved Category; 18 in Schedule Tribe and 6 in Schedule Caste Category. 6 and 4 posts were advertised in the category of most Backward Class -1 and Backward Class -II respectively. The advertisement prescribed 2% horizontal reservation for physically handicapped category, 5% in the Female Category and 2% for Sports Category. Written exams were held on 27th January, 2013, results of which were published on 19th April, 2013. JPSC made final recommendation to the Department of Personnel, Administrative Reforms & Rajbhasa on 2nd May, 2013 for appointment of successful candidates.;