D.Ravikrishnan v. The State of Tamil Nadu

ORDER This writ petition has been filed seeking the following relief:- "to call for the records relating to the provisional selection list dated 24.01.2024 issued by the Respondent No.4 insofar as it relates to the selection of the Respondent No.5 to the post of Librarian and Information Officer, Anna Centenary Library, and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents to appoint the petitioner to the said post with all consequential service and monetary benefits within a time frame to be fixed by this Hon'ble Court." Page3 of 6

¶2The brief facts of the case are as follows:-

2.1 The petitioner was appointed as a Librarian and Information Assistant (Grade II) at the Anna Centenary Library on 05.10.2010 through regular recruitment by the Teachers Recruitment Board and has since rendered unblemished service. The 5th respondent, appointed on the same day as a Librarian and Information Assistant (Grade II) at the Anna Centenary Library, was relieved on 20.08.2014 to join the School Education Department, leaving him with only three years and ten months of experience. This falls short of the mandatory five years experience required by the notification dated 31.01.2023, for the post of Librarian and Information Officer.

2.2 Although the petitioner qualified in the written exam, certificate verification, and interview, the 4th respondent provisionally selected the ineligible 5th respondent on 24.01.2024. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner submitted a representation on 13.06.2024, which was also rejected without assigning any reasons on 12.12.2024. The subsequent appeal filed by the petitioner was also rejected on 28.11.2025, without any enquiry or detailed grounds. Aggrieved, the petitioner has come up with this writ petition challenging the provisional selection list dated 24.01.2024. Page4 of 6

¶3Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.

¶4The petition has come before this Court challenging the appointment of the 5th respondent to the post of Librarian and Information Officer in the Anna Centenary Library. The major contention of the petitioner is that the 5th respondent does not satisfy the experience criterion as stipulated in the notification, which is five years.

¶5However, it is submitted by the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the 4th respondent that both the petitioner and the 5th respondent are qualified under the experience category. However, since the 5th respondent secured two marks over and above the petitioner, the 5th respondent was considered and selected. He further submitted that the appointment had taken place as early as in 2024 and the 5th respondent is continuing in the said post.

¶6Considering the fact that the 5th respondent had qualified by obtaining more marks than the petitioner, and also taking note of the fact that the Page5 of 6 appointment had taken place in the year 2024 itself, which the petitioner seeks to challenge only in the year 2026, this Court sees no reason to interfere with the provisional selection list dated 24.01.2024.

¶7Accordingly, this Writ petition stands dismissed. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

06.08.2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order skt To:

¶1The Principal Secretary to Government, State of Tamil Nadu, School Education Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009.

¶2The Director of Public Libraries, 737/1, Anna Salai, Chennai – 600 002.

¶3The Chief Librarian and Information Officer, Anna Centenary Library, Kotturpuram, Chennai – 600 085.

¶4The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, TNPSC Road, VOC Nagar, Park Town, Chennai – 600 003. W.P.No.31090oofo2026 P.T.ASHA,oJ. skt W.P.No.31090oofo2026 and W.M.P.Nos.34189o&o34190oofo2026

06.08.2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 06.08.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA and W.M.P.Nos.34189 & 34190 of 2026 D.Ravikrishnan ..Petitioner(s) Vs. 1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Principal Secretary to Government, School Education Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009. 2. The Director of Public Libraries, 737/1, Anna Salai, Chennai – 600 002. 3. The Chief Librarian and Information Officer, Anna Centenary Library, Kotturpuram, Chennai – 600 085. 4. The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, TNPSC Road, VOC Nagar, Park Town, Chennai – 600 003. 5. S.Raju ..Respondent(s) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records relating to the Page2 of 6 provisional selection list dated 24.01.2024 issued by the Respondent No.4 insofar as it relates to the selection of the Respondent No.5 to the post of Librarian and Information Officer, Anna Centenary Library, and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents to appoint the petitioner to the said post with all consequential service and monetary benefits within a time frame to be fixed by this Hon'ble Court. For Petitioner(s) : Mr.B.M.Subash For Respondent(s) : Mr.S.Ilamvaludhi, Special Government Pleader for R1 to R3 : Mr.K.Karthik Jagannath, Standing Counsel for R4