P.Kalpana v. State Of Tamil Nadu Rep. By Its
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 27-02-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI P.Kalpana ..Petitioner Vs
1. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. by Secretary To Government Health & Family Welfare Department Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009.
2. Medical Services Recruitment Board Rep. by its Member Secretary 7th Floor, DMS Complex, Teynampet, Chennai-600 006.
..Respondent(s) Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 18.02.2026 and to consequently direct the respondents to prioritically consider and appoint the petitioner to the post of Auxiliary Nurse Midwife/Village Health Nurse, as per the rules prevailing on the date of appointment of the petitioner as Anganwadi Worker by transfer from Anganwadi Worker i.e prior to the amendment in G.O.Ms.No.254 dated 25.07.2023.
For Petitioner(s):
M/s.A.L.Ganthimathi, Senior Counsel
For Mr.L.Palanimuthu For Respondent(s):
Mr.K.Tippusulthan for R1 Government Advocate Mr.S.J.Mohamed Sathick for R2
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 18.02.2026 and, consequently, to direct the respondents to prioritically consider and appoint the petitioner to the post of Auxiliary Nurse Midwife/Village Health Nurse, in accordance with the rules prevailing on the date of her appointment as Anganwadi Worker, i.e., by transfer from Anganwadi Worker, prior to the amendment introduced in G.O.Ms.No.254, dated 25.07.2023.
2.The case of the petitioner is that she has been working as an Anganwadi Worker since 2019. In November 2022, she joined the ANM Training Course, much prior to the issuance of G.O.Ms.No.254, Health and Family Welfare (L1) Department, dated 25.07.2023, which amended the Special Rules under G.O.Ms.No.1507, dated 16.08.1989, by restricting recruitment to the post of ANM/VHN solely through Direct Recruitment. The petitioner successfully completed the training in November 2024, registered with the Tamil Nadu Nurses and Midwives Council, and thereby became fully qualified for
appointment under the unamended G.O.Ms.No.1507, dated 16.08.1989. However, by applying the amended rules retrospectively to candidates like the petitioner, who had joined the training course prior to G.O.Ms.No.254, dated 25.07.2023, the respondents have illegally deprived her of her legitimate and vested right to be considered for appointment. Anganwadi Workers who completed the ANM training course were to be absorbed as Village Health Nurse/Auxiliary Nurse Midwife, but this benefit was not extended to the petitioner. Consequently, she submitted a representation on 18.02.2026, but no order has been passed thereon. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed. 3.The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that it would suffice, if a direction is issued to the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 18.02.2026, within a reasonable time to be fixed by this Court.
4.Considering the limited request made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 18.02.2026 and to pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 5.With the above direction, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.
27-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order UMA To
1. The Secretary To Government Health & Family Welfare Department Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009.
2. The Member Secretary Medical Services Recruitment Board 7th Floor, DMS Complex, Teynampet, Chennai-600 006.
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
UMA 27-02-2026