Page No.# 1/26 GAHC040014242025 THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH) (ITANAGAR BENCH) Case No. : WP(C)/404/2025 Tadar Mamang and 3 Ors son of Shri Tadar Kioda, resident of Nyapin, PO and PS Nyapin, Kurung Kumey District, Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.104229 2: Tapo Ngute Gusar Age: Occupation : Son of Shri Tali Ngute Gumsar resident of Daporijo PO and PS Daporijo Kurung Kumey District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No. 104206. 3: Tatung Taka Sikar Age: Occupation : Son of Shri Tatum Sikar resident of Sikarijo Village III Upper Subansiri District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No. 104279 4: Maga Manu Age: Occupation : Son of Shri Maga Dokum resident of Raga Kamle District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No. 10424 VERSUS The Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission and 9 Ors represented by its Secretary, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar. 2:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Page No.# 2/26 Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission Itanagar. 3:The Chairman Age: 0 Occupation : Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission Itanagar. 4:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Department o Public Works Department Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 5:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Department of Public Health Engineering and Water Supply Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 6:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Department of Urban Development Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 7:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Department of Local Bodies Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 8:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Department of Hydro Power Development Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 9:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Department of Rural Works Department Page No.# 3/26 Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 10:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Department of Water Resources Department Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar Advocate for the Petitioner : Dicky Panging, Chatung Tajo,Doge Lona,Marge Doji,Daina Tamuk Advocate for the Respondent : Ajin Apang, Sr. Advocate, SC (RWD),Gimi Tarak,GA (AP),S/C APPSC Linked Case : WP(C)/382/2025 Tame Hari and 48 Ors Age: 30 Occupation : Address:Son of Late Tame Tacho resident of Hiya Yarda Village PO and PS Nyapin Kurung Kumey District Arunachal Pradesh Bearing Roll No. 103331 2: Hiba Sima Age: 25 Occupation : Address:Daughter of Shri Hiba Achak resident of Sangram PO and PS Sangram Kurung Kumey District Arunachal Pradesh. bearing Roll No. 103015 3: Pinli Karbi Age: 24 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Depin Karbi resident of Kombo Tarsu Village PO and PS Aalo West Siang District Arunachal Pradesh. bearing Roll No. 100137 Page No.# 4/26 4: Chukhu Tallam Age: 29 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Chukhu Tatam resident of Taib Village Keyi Panyor District Arunachal Pradesh. bearing Roll No. 102288 5: Debia Ranya Age: 28 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Debia Hari resident of Papu Nallah Naharlagun Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh. bearing Roll No. 103404 6: Nabam Dera Age: 30 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Nabam Hachang resident of Lekhi Village Nirjuli Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh. bearing Roll No. 102605. 7: Gebin Kamki Age: 31 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Jumge Kamki resident of Dego Kamki Village PO and PS Kamba West Siang District Arunachal Pradesh. bearing Roll No.102128 8: Kipa Pinchi Age: 27 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Kipa Narbu resident of Pinchi Village PO and PS Nyapin Kurung Kumey District Arunachal Pradesh. bearing Roll No.102085 9: Taba Kunna Age: 25 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Taba Taji Page No.# 5/26 resident of Sagalee Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.101924 10: Niga Yangfo Age: 29 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Tagi Yangfo resident of Yangfo Village PO and PS Seppa East Kameng District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.10034 11: Debia Mattak Age: 29 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Debia Tara resident of Chambang Village Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.10988 12: Techi Dui Age: 29 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Techi kaku resident of Deb Village Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh. bearing Roll No.101493 13: Chopa Welly Age: 30 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Nana Welly resident of Lellung Village PO and PS Seppa East Kameng District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.100443 14: Gyamar Vijay Age: 27 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Gyamar Epik resident of Nyapin Circle Kurung Kumey District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.100990 15: Miss Dhelina Hangu Age: 30 Page No.# 6/26 Occupation : Address:Daughter of Shri Singdhe Hangu resident of Ngaba Village Taliha Upper Subansiri District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.102802 16: Antony Pertin Age: 30 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Kulo Pertin resident of Mariyang Upper Siang District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.100336 17: Jomnya Taye Age: 31 Occupation : Address:Son of Late Dujom Taye resident of Kombo Village Jirdin Aalo West Siang District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.102975 18: Mago Lida Age: 30 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Puge Lida resident of Lida Village Daporijo Upper Subansiri District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.100665 19: Teli Passo Age: 31 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Teli Sengho resident of Niya Namdong Banderdewa Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.100538 20: Nabam Loma Age: 30 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Nabam Tado resident of Raik Village Page No.# 7/26 Sagalee Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.103087 21: Mibang Pangging Age: 27 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Numol Pangging resident of Pasighat East Siang District Arunachal Pradesh. bearing Roll No.101051 22: Nabam Takap Age: 27 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Nabam Begi resident of Langchung Sagalee Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.1000066 23: Mating Takum Tarh Age: 27 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Mabu Mating resident of P Sector Naharlagun Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.102633 24: Biki Tatung Age: 26 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Biki Pate resident of Mowb-1 Itanagar Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.101601 25: Tomto Ekke Age: 26 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Tatum Ekke resident of Daporijo Upper Subansiri District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.103440 26: Taba Rigum Page No.# 8/26 Age: 29 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Taba Robin resident of Doimukh Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.103125 27: Bamin Sambyo Age: 35 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Bamin Tilling resident of E Sector Naharlagun Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.102340 28: Narba Tada Natung Age: 26 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Shew Natung resident of Jollang Itanagar Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.100250 29: Likha Bado Age: 27 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Likha Tarin resident of Yachuli (near Check Gate) Keyi Panyor District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.102977 30: Iken Padu Age: 35 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Doi Padu resident of Aalo West Siang District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.101738 31: Onyok Danggen Age: 28 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri K Danggen resident of Gobuk Yingkiong Upper Siang District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.102498 Page No.# 9/26 32: Rahimso Kri Age: 28 Occupation : Address:Son of Late Soden Kri. resident of Tribal Colony Tezu Lohit District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.102521 33: Loki Kipa Age: 26 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Tallo Kipa resident of Karsingsa Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.100575 34: Tomo Riba Age: 35 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Mocha Riba resident of Basar Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.102102 35: Miss Nyilyang Baby Age: 29 Occupation : Address:Daughter of Shri Nyilyang Tadey resident of Tajang Ziro Lower Subansiri District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.102655 36: Alotong Taki Age: 22 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Tatong Taki resident of Pasighat East Siang District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.100118 37: Chapo Dara Age: 24 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Tadak Dara resident of Itanagar (near Pantaloon) Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.101630 Page No.# 10/26 38: Dominic Tariang Tasse Age: 26 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Raj Kumar Tasse resident of P Sector Nirjuli Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.100704 39: Hage Guro Age: 37 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Hage Taje resident of Hari Village Ziro Lower Subansiri District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.101165 40: Miss Iya Lombi Age: 30 Occupation : Address:Daughter of Goi Lombi resident of Polo Colony Naharlagun Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.105522 41: Tadik Tachiring Age: 36 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Tagang Tachiring resident of Taliha Upper Subansiri District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.100159 42: Giogi Takap Age: 30 Occupation : Address:Son of Late Giogi Tatup resident of Parsi Parlo Kurung Kumey District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.102604 43: kekjum Jilen Age: 26 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Takek Jilen resident of E Sector Naharlagun Page No.# 11/26 Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.100654 44: Tatdo Mitkong Age: 23 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Balo Mitkong resident of Mariyang Upper Siang District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No.100297 45: Remi Lego Age: 31 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Gere Lego resident of G Extension Naharlagun Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No. 103075 46: Giogi Takup Age: 22 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Giogi Laling resident of Byasi Village Sangram Kurung Kumey District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No. 102774 47: Taming Takum Age: 23 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Taming Anu resident of Nyapin Town Kurung Kumey District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No. 102493 48: Nabam Natum Age: 20 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Nabam Tagar resident of Sagalee Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No. 103976 49: Tadar Harish Age: 20 Occupation : Page No.# 12/26 Address:Son of Shri Tadar Nikpo resident of Nyapin Kurung Kumey District Arunachal Pradesh bearing Roll No. 100433 VERSUS The Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission and 9 Ors Age: 0 Occupation : Address:represented by its Secretary Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 2:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Address:Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission Itanagar. 3:The Chairman Age: 0 Occupation : Address:Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission Itanagar. 4:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Address:Department o Public Works Department Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 5:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Address:Department of Public Health Engineering and Water Supply Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 6:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Address:Department of Urban Development Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 7:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Page No.# 13/26 Address:Department of Local Bodies Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 8:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Address:Department of Hydro Power Development Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 9:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Address:Department of Rural Works Department Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 10:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Address:Department of Water Resources Department Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. ------------ Advocate for : Dicky Panging Advocate for : Ajin Apang Sr. Advocate appearing for The Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission and 9 Ors: Advocate ,, appearing for 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, respectively. Linked Case : WP(C)/380/2025 Kompar Kena and 30 Ors Age: 24 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Rukom Kena resident of Litemori Village PO and PS Ziro Lower Subansiri District Arunachal Pradesh 791120 2: Gollo Taga Age: 27 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Takar Gollo resident of Jollang Itanagar Page No.# 14/26 Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh 791111 3: Bake Tayu Age: 26 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Bake Nigam resident of Durpa-1 PO and PS Kimin Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh 791121 4: Liken Kamsi Age: 32 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Geli Kamki resident of Dego Kamki village PO and PS Kamba West Siang District Arunachal Pradesh 791001 5: Tosu Pertin Age: 38 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Kullo Pertin resident of Mariyang PO and PS Mariyang Upper Siang District Arunachal Pradesh 791002 6: Mumu Longda Age: 28 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Tabiu Loda resident of Namsia PO PS and District Namsai Arunachal Pradesh. 792103 7: Tatding Megu Age: 29 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Palik Megu resident of Roing PO and PS Roing Lower Dibang Valley District Arunachal Pradesh 792110 Page No.# 15/26 8: Kanam Perme Age: 36 Occupation : Address:Son of Late Bolay Perme resident of Pasighat PO and PS Pasighat East Siang District Arunachal Pradesh 791102 9: Likha Haniya Age: 26 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Likha Nana resident of Belo Village PO and PS Yazali Keyi Panyor District Arunachal Pradesh 791119 10: Miss Geyir Nyodu Age: 27 Occupation : Address:Daughter of Shri Jumge Nyodu resident of Basar PO and PS Basar Leparada District Arunachal Pradesh 791101 11: Kipa Gagung Age: 26 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Kipa Tayuf resident of Nirjuli PO and PS Nirjuli Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh 791109 12: Bengia Ekha Age: 28 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Bengia Tana resident of Hoj village Po and PS Sagalee Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh 791112 13: Rijo Riba Age: 26 Occupation : Page No.# 16/26 Address:Son of Shri Mori Riba resident of Regi Village PO and PS Basar Leparada District Arunachal Pradesh 791101 14: Tadar Lohit Age: 24 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Tadar Kalley resident of Leyang Village PO and PS Nyapin Kurung Kumey District Arunachal Pradesh 791118 15: Ojing Padung Age: 35 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Tajom Padung resident of Niglok Village PO and PS Ruksin East Siang District Arunachal Pradesh. 791102 16: Rinchin Norbu Age: 34 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Rinchin Tsewang resident of Tawang PO PS and District Tawang Arunachal Pradesh. 790104 17: Iri Liyi Bagra Age: 29 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Liyi Bagra resident of Basar PO and PS Basar Leparada District Arunachal Pradesh 791101 18: Techi Opir Age: 24 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Techi Mulang resident of Doimukh PO and PS Doimukh Page No.# 17/26 Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh 791112 19: Rogu Keli Marbom Age: 43 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Jeruk Marbom resident of Marbom Village PO and PS Daporijo Upper Subansiri District Arunachal Pradesh 791122 20: Bomge Riba Age: 32 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Kebom Riba resident of P Sector Itanagar PO and PS Itanagar Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh 791111 21: Bharat Loda Age: 25 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Kojam Loda resident of Seppa East Kameng District Arunachal Pradesh 790102 22: Teli Passo Age: 32 Occupation : Address:Son of Late Teli Sengho resident of Niyo Namchong Village PO and PS Banderdewa Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh 791123 23: Khyoda Dui Age: 31 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Khyoda Taking resident of Pania PO and PS Palin Kra Daadi District Arunachal Pradesh. 791118 Page No.# 18/26 24: Anand Yaying Age: 34 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Tadung Yaying resident of Kaying PO and PS Kaying Siang District Arunachal Pradesh. 791001 25: Miss Michi Mina Age: 24 Occupation : Address:Daughter of Shri Michi Tari resident of Mob-II PO and PS Itanagar Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh 791111 26: Kalen Moyong Age: 31 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Taget Moyong resident of Pasighat PO and PS Pasighat East Siang District Arunachal Pradesh 791102 27: Nabam Dollang Age: 29 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Nabam Tam resident of Sagalee PO and PS Sagalee Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh 791122 28: Poli Kipa Age: 22 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Tallo Kipa resident of Karsingsa PO and PS Banderdewa Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh 791123 29: Yorum Tatu Age: 27 Occupation : Page No.# 19/26 Address:Son of Shri Yorum Takap resident of Denba Village PO and PS Sangram Kurung Kumey District Arunachal Pradesh 791118 30: Dari Kelly Age: 31 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Dari Jagdish resident of Palin PO and PS Palin Kra Daadi District Arunachal Pradesh 791118. 31: Tarh Nikum Age: 24 Occupation : Address:Son of Shri Tarh Kumar resident of Doimukh PO and PS Doimukh Papum Pare District Arunachal Pradesh 791112 VERSUS The Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission and 9 Ors Age: 0 Occupation : Address:represented by its Secretary Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 2:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Address:Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission Itanagar. 3:The Chairman Age: 0 Occupation : Address:Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission Itanagar. 4:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Address:Department o Public Works Department Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Page No.# 20/26 Itanagar. 5:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Address:Department of Public Health Engineering and Water Supply Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 6:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Address:Department of Urban Development Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 7:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Address:Department of Local Bodies Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 8:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Address:Department of Hydro Power Development Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 9:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Address:Department of Rural Works Department Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 10:The Secretary Age: 0 Occupation : Address:Department of Water Resources Department Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. ------------ Advocate for : Dicky Panging Advocate for : Ajin Apang Sr. Advocate appearing for The Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission and 9 Ors: Advocate , , appearing for 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, respectively. Page No.# 21/26 BEFORE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE BUDI HABUNG ORDER 30.01.2026 Heard Mr. D. Panging, learned counsel for the petitioners. Also heard Ms. N. Anju, learned Standing Counsel for the State respondent Nos. 1 to 3 and Ms. P. Pangu, learned Government Advocate for the respondent Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10. 2. Since these three writ petitions, namely WP(C) No. 380(AP)/2025, WP(C) No. 382(AP)/2025, and WP(C) No. 404(AP)/2025, arise out of the same advertisement dated 09.05.2025 issued by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) and pertain to the same result dated 30.07.2025, the writ petitions are taken up together and disposed of by this common order, with the consent of the parties. 3. The petitioners in all the three writ petitions are candidates who applied pursuant to Advertisement No. APPSC/1/2025 dated 09.05.2025, issued by the Secretary, Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission, Itanagar, for filling up 166 (one hundred sixty-six) posts of Assistant Engineer (AE) under various works departments of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. Under the said advertisement, posts of Assistant Engineer (AE) in altogether nine different works departments were advertised, inviting applications for filling up the same. 4. The petitioners contend that, as per the advertisement, 136 posts were earmarked for the post of AE (Civil) under the Public Works Department, Public Health Engineering & Water Supply Department, Urban Development, Urban Page No.# 22/26 Local Bodies, Hydro Power Department, Rural Works Department, and Water Resource Department. The petitioners, being graduates in Civil Engineering, applied for the said post and appeared in the preliminary examination. 5. It is submitted that subsequently, the APPSC issued the impugned result dated 30.07.2025, wherein the petitioners in WP(C)No.380(AP)/2025 were shortlisted for appearing in the written (mains) examination only against 102 posts. They were among 1205 candidates selected against 102 vacancies of AE(C) for appearing in the written (mains) examination under the Public Works Department, Public Health Engineering & Water Supply Department, Urban Development, and Urban Local Bodies. 6. In the said result, candidates belonging to the Civil Engineering discipline were segregated department-wise against the total 136 posts of Assistant Engineer (Civil), thereby depriving the petitioners of being considered for appearing in the mains written examination against the remaining 34 posts of AE(C) under the Hydro Power Department, Rural Works Department, and Water Resource Department. 7. It is further contended that for all the 34 posts of AE(Civil) under the Hydro Power Department, Rural Works Department, and Water Resource Department, the prescribed educational qualification is a degree in either: i. Civil Engineering; or ii. Agricultural Engineering. Whereas, for the remaining 102 posts under the Public Works Department, Public Health Engineering & Water Supply Department, Urban Development, and Urban Local Bodies, the prescribed qualification is a degree in Civil Engineering alone. The petitioners, being Civil Engineering graduates, were thus Page No.# 23/26 eligible for consideration against all 136 posts. 8. However, the APPSC shortlisted 1205 candidates against 102 posts under the Public Works Department, Public Health Engineering & Water Supply Department, Urban Development, and Urban Local Bodies; and 440 candidates against 34 posts under the Hydro Power Department, Rural Works Department, and Water Resource Department. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that out of the said 440 candidates, the names of 362 candidates also appeared in the list of 1205 candidates, resulting in double short listing of their names and thereby depriving other eligible candidates, including the petitioners, from being considered against the said 34 posts under the Hydro Power Department, Rural Works Department, and Water Resource Department. 9. Being highly aggrieved, the petitioners filed the present writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India challenging the result dated 30.07.2025, insofar as it relates to the double short listing of 362 candidates against 34 posts of AE(C). The petitioners also seek a direction permitting them to appear in the written (mains) examination against all 136 posts earmarked for AE(C), including the 34 posts under the Hydro Power Department, Rural Works Department, and Water Resource Department. 10. WP(C)No.382 of 2025 is an analogous matter. The petitioners in WP(C)No.382(AP)/2025 numbering 49, are similarly situated to the petitioners in WP(C)No.380(AP)/2025. The grievance raised in the WP(C)No.382(AP)/2025 is that due to segregation procedure adopted by the APPSC at preliminary stage and on account of inclusion of the same shortlisted candidates twice in two separate merit lists, the petitioners were excluded from the zone of consideration, despite they are being eligible to be shortlisted for appearing the mains examination. Page No.# 24/26 11. The petitioners contended that such segregation of posts and publication of separate select lists was not contemplated in the advertisement dated 09.05.2025, and therefore, the same has resulted in exclusion of eligible candidates including the petitioners who ought to have been included within the zone of consideration when the ratio of 1:12, as prescribed in the guidelines of the advertisement, was applied. The petitioners, therefore, seek rectification of the qualified list by preparation of a Single Combine merit list strictly in terms of the advertisement dated 09.05.2025. 12. So far as the WP(C) No.404 of 2025 is concerned, it has been filed by four petitioners, who are graduates in Agricultural Engineering. They are also similarly placed with the above two writ petitions and their grievances pertain to the post of Assistant Engineer (Civil) under the department of Hydro Power Department, Rural Works Department, and Water Resource Department. Their contention is that out of 414 candidates shortlisted against 34 posts, only 44 candidates belonging to Agricultural Engineering discipline were shortlisted, whereas 362 candidates were Civil Engineering candidates whose roll numbers had already appeared in the list of candidates shortlisted against 102 post of AE(C). 13. It is further contended that, as per the answer keys furnished to them, the petitioners had secured marks higher than the last shortlisted candidates against the said 34 posts. However, due to the segregation of categories and double short listing of 362 candidates, the petitioners were excluded from appearing in the mains examination. It is further submitted that one candidate had applied against 136 posts of AE(C), and that segregation at the preliminary stage, which is only a qualifying examination was impermissible and the same amounts to a violation of Article 16 of the Constitution of India. Page No.# 25/26 14. The written (mains) examination was scheduled to be held on 06.09.2025 and 07.09.2025. However, by an order dated 03.09.2025, in all the above three writ petitions, this Court had directed that the petitioners who were left out of the zone of consideration due to such segregation be permitted to appear in the written (mains) examination and further directed that the result of the examination shall not be declared without leave of this Court until further orders are passed. The order also made clear that the writ petitioners would not be conferred any right to regular selection merely by virtue of appearing in the mains examination under orders of this Court. 15. During the course of hearing, the learned Standing Counsel for the APPSC fairly conceded the prayer made by the petitioners in all the three writ petitions and submitted that now the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission is desirous of completing the examination process at the earliest. Therefore, she submitted that all three petitions filed by the petitioners, namely WP(C)No.380(AP)/2925, WP(C)No.382(AP)/2025 and WP(C) No.404(AP)/2025 may be allowed. 16. In view of the submissions made and the categorical conceding to the prayer of the writ petitioners by the learned Standing Counsel for the APPSC, and without entering into the merits of the controversy, all the three writ petitions are disposed of with the following direction: i. The appearance of the petitioners in all three writ petition in the written (mains) examination pursuant to the interim order dated 03.09.2025 shall be treated as valid and in accordance with law; ii. The Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission shall prepare and act upon a consolidated/combined merit list for the purpose of further Page No.# 26/26 selection against 136 posts of AE(C) strictly in accordance with law and the terms of the advertisement dated 09.05.2025 and the applicable recruitment guidelines. iii. The Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission shall be at liberty to declare the result of the written (mains) examination and to proceed further with the selection process strictly in accordance with law. iv. All the interim orders dated 03.09.2025 passed in all three writ petitions stands vacated. 17. This order is passed with the consent of the learned counsel for both sides and shall not be treated as a precedent, nor as an expression on the merits of the case. JUDGE Comparing Assistant