G.Gopi v. The Government Of Tamil Nadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 23-02-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI WP.Nos.11568, 33955, 28401, 28403, 28404, 45888, 45959, 46670, 46854, 46860, 47925, 48041, 48081, 48259, 48261, 48256, 49174, 49484 of 2025 and 4397, 4413, 4392, 4411, 4934, 5648, 5651, 5655 & 5658 of 2026 and W.M.P.Nos.13063, 38098, 45542, 31801, 31803, 31805, 31807, 31810, 31811, 31812, 51159, 51254, 52078, 52331, 52322, 53515, 53667, 53734, 53932, 53935, 53927, 54938, 55285 of 2025 and 4880, 4882, 4900, 4902, 4875, 4877, 4892, 4896, 5508, 6135, 6139, 6147 & 6152 of 2026
1. G.Gopi
2. Sankaralingam ..Petitioner(s) in W.P.No.11568 of 2025 Vs
1. The Government of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Secretary, School Education Department, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009.
2. The Director, School Education Department, Chennai-600 006.
3. The Joint Director, Higher Secondary Education, School Education Department, College Road, Chennai-600 006.
4. The Chief Accounts Officer, Commissionerate of School Education, Chennai-600 006.
..Respondent(s) in W.P.No.11568 of 2025 Prayer in W.P.No.11568 of 2025: This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records relating to the 2nd respondent in Na.Ka.No.59397/W3/E3/2017 dated 19.02.2025 and quash the same and direct the respondents to continuously pay the petitioner their promotion pay in the post as computer Instructor Grade-I.
In all W.Ps., For Petitioner(s) :
Mrs.P.Mahalakshmi For Respondent(s):
Mr.P.Kumaresan, AAG Assisted by, Mrs.Mythreye Chandru,SGP for R1 to R4 COMMON ORDER Though the prayers are different, learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that this Court may dispose of these writ petitions by way of a common order.
2. The case of the petitioners is that they were initially appointed as Computer Instructors in Higher Secondary Schools with UG and PG qualifications. Until 2019, no promotional avenue existed for this post. Consequently, the Government granted Selection Grade and Special Grade status, including incentive increments for acquiring higher qualifications upon the completion of 10 and 20 years of service. In 2019, those with Post Graduate
qualifications were upgraded to Computer Instructors Grade-I, placing them on par with P.G.Assistants. Both roles now serve as the feeder category for the post of Headmaster. Despite this, increments granted in favour of the petitioners, prior to 2019, were sought to be recovered by the recent impugned orders. Aggrieved over the same, the petitioners have filed these writ petitions.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that, previously, there were no promotional avenues available for the post of Computer Instructor, which led to significant controversies regarding the grant of Selection Grade and Special Grade. It is further submitted that these controversies have now reached finality, as the posts of Computer Instructor GradeI and P.G.Assistant have been equalised in terms of cadre and pay. Consequently, the petitioners seeks a direction to the respondents to maintain uniform pay scales for the post of Computer Instructor Grade-I on par with P.G.Assistant, ensuring there is no pay disparity. Accordingly, she prays for appropriate orders.
4. The Joint Director of Higher Secondary Education is present before this Court. On instructions, the learned Additional Advocate General submits that the pay scales currently applicable to the post of P.G.Assistant shall be maintained for the post of Computer Instructor Grade-I. It is further contended that there exists no pay disparity between the two cadres, in view of the fact that
both the posts of P.G.Assistant and Computer Instructor Grade-I constitute the feeder category for promotion to the post of Headmaster.
5. Upon hearing the learned counsel for the petitioners and in view of the submissions made by the learned Additional Advocate General appearing for the respondents, this Court directs the respondents shall not recovery any amount already paid to the petitioners towards incentive increments, as it is not account of any fault on the part of the petitioners and further directs to maintain the pay scale of Computer Instructors Grade-I in strict parity with that of PG Assistants. In the event of any erroneous fixation, where a petitioner's current pay exceeds that of a PG Assistant, the respondents are at liberty to re-fix the said pay on par with the PG Assistant cadre. However, such re-fixation shall not be used as a ground for the recovery of past dues. With the aforesaid directions, these writ petitions are disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 23-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order VM Note to Registry:
Registry is directed to incorporate all the cause title along with the prayer in the drafted order while issuing order copy to the parties.
To:
1. The Secretary, School Education Department, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009.
2. The Director, School Education Department, Chennai-600 006.
3. The Joint Director, Higher Secondary Education, School Education Department, College Road, Chennai-600 006.
4. The Chief Accounts Officer, Commissionerate of School Education, Chennai-600 006.
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
VM 23-02-2026