Sowmiya.D v. The Government of Tamil Nadu,

O R D E R This writ petition is filed for the following relief: "To call for the records relating to the impugned rejection of the petitioner's candidature as ineligible on the ground of "Simultaneous study of PG and UG degrees" in the ineligible list dated 22.01.2026 issued by the 4th respondent, quash the same and consequently direct the 4th respondent to treat the petitioner as eligible and consider her candidature for appointment to the post of Post Graduate Assistant (English) pursuant to Notification No.02/2025 dated 10.07.2025"

¶2The brief facts are as follows.

¶3The petitioner had completed her integrated BA. – B.Ed. (English) course at Pope John Paul II College of Education, affiliated to Pondicherry University, during the academic year 2018 – 2022. Thereafter, she had joined her MA. English on 20.10.2022. This clearly indicates that the petitioner had not simultaneously obtained UG and PG degrees.

¶4The petitioner would submit that the 4th respondent had issued a notification No.2 of 2025 dated 10.07.2025, calling for applications for direct recruitment to the post of Post Graduate Assistant / Physical Director Grade I / Computer Instructor Grade – I for the year 2025. The petitioner applied for the post of Post Graduate Assistant (English) as she posses requisite educational qualification and satisfactory eligibility criteria.

¶5The petitioner would submit that she successfully participated in the selection process, which included written examination and certificate verification and she had secured 102 marks. The petitioner was expecting to be called for an interview, while so, the 4th respondent published the ineligible candidates list after certificate verification and the petitioner name was also found in the rejected list on the ground that "simultaneous study of PG and UG degrees".

¶6The petitioner would submit that the rejection is absolutely arbitrary and suffers from non application of mind. The petitioner's UG and PG courses had been undergone on two different periods and not simultaneously. Thus aggrieved, the petitioner is before this Court.

¶7Though a counter affidavit has been filed objecting to the contentions raised by the petitioner in her affidavit, however, it has been fairly conceded that the petitioner has undergone her UG and PG courses on two different periods.

¶8Heard the learned counsels on the either side and perused the records.

¶9From a perusal of the records it is seen that the petitioner has undergone her UG in BA. (English) between the period June 2018 to May 2022. She had admitted into the said course on 16.07.2018 and had completed the course on 05.09.2022 from Pope John Paul II College of Education, Reddiarpalayam, affiliated to the Pondicherry University.

¶10Thereafter, the petitioner has undergone PG degree in Annamalai University, from June 2022 to May 2024. She was admitted in the Aringnar Anna Government College, affiliated to Annamalai University on 20.10.2022 and completed her course on 17.04.2024. Therefore, it is crystal clear that the petitioner has not undergone her UG and PG courses simultaneously.

¶11Therefore, the impugned order is not only arbitrary but also suffers from non application of mind. Accordingly, the impugned order dated 22.01.2026 is quashed and the 4th respondent is directed to treat the petitioner as eligible and consider her candidature for appointment to the post of Post Graduate Assistant (English) pursuant to Notification No.02/2025 dated 10.07.2025.

¶12With the above observation and direction, this writ petition is allowed. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. No costs.

08.04.2026

kan To l. The Government of Tamil Nadu Represented by its Secretary to the Government Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.

2.The Government of Tamil Nadu Represented by its Principal Secretary to the Government Human Resources Management (M) Department, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.

¶3The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, TNPSC Road, V.O.C.Nagar, Park Town, Chennai-600003

¶4The Chairman, Teachers Recruitment Board, 3rd and 4th Floors, Puratchi Thalaivar Dr MGR Centenary Building, Perasiriyar Anbalagan Kalvi Valaagam, College Road, Chennai 600006.

P.T. ASHA, J

kan

08.04.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS Dated : 08.04.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE Ms. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA W.P.No. 3004 of 2026 & W.M.P.Nos. 3383, 3388 & 3391 of 2026 Sowmiya. D ...Petitioner Vs. l. The Government of Tamil Nadu Represented by its Secretary to the Government Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009. 2.The Government of Tamil Nadu Represented by its Principal Secretary to the Government Human Resources Management (M) Department, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009. 3. The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, TNPSC Road, V.O.C.Nagar, Park Town, Chennai-600003 4. The Chairman, Teachers Recruitment Board, 3rd and 4th Floors, Puratchi Thalaivar Dr MGR Centenary Building, Perasiriyar Anbalagan Kalvi Valaagam, College Road, Chennai 600006. ...Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Section 226 of the Constitution of India for issue of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records relating to the impugned rejection of the petitioner's candidature as ineligible on the ground of "Simultaneous study of PG and UG degrees" in the ineligible list dated 22.01.2026 issued by the 4th respondent, quash the same and consequently direct the 4th respondent to treat the petitioner as eligible and consider her candidature for appointment to the post of Post Graduate Assistant (English) pursuant to Notification No.02/2025 dated 10.07.2025. For Petitioner : Mr. E.Balamurugan For Respondents : Mr. R.U.Dinesh Raj Kumar 1 & 2 Additional Government Pleader For Respondent 3: Mr. B.Vijay For Respondent 4: Mr. C.Kathiravan