Jayasuriya J v. The Tamilnadu Public Service Commission(Tnpsc)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 10-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI WP No. 9852 of 2026 and W.M.P.No.10622 of 2026 Jayasuriya J S/o.M.Jeyachandran Plot No.7,8, PM Mahal Main Road Adukkamparai Vellore District Pin -632 011 ..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Tamilnadu Public service Commission(TNPSC) Rep by its Secretary TNPSC Road, VOC Nagar, Park Town, Chennai-600 003

2. Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority(CMDA) Rep by its Member Secretary Thalamuthu Natarajan Maligai No.1, Gandhi Irwin Road, Egmore, Chennai-600 008

3. The Tamilnadu State Council for Higher Education, Rep by its Member Secretary Lady Willington college campus Kamarajar salai,Triplicane, chennai-600 008

4. Indian Institute of Technology Rep by its Registrar Sardar Vallabhai Patel Road Chennai-600 036 ..Respondent(s)

Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 3rd respondent to issue equivalence certificate to the effect that MTech Civil Engineering (Specialization in Transportation Engineering) awarded by the 4th respondent as an equivalent educational qualification (M.Plan in Transport planning) prescribed for the post of Assistant Planner in the office of 2nd respondent within a time frame.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.S.Shivram For Respondent(s):

Mr.K.Karthik Jagannath for R1 Mr.B.Sanja Balanchandar for R2 Mr.S.Rajesh for R3 Government Advocate

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 3rd respondent to issue equivalence certificate to the effect that MTech Civil Engineering (Specialization in Transportation Engineering) awarded by the 4th respondent as an equivalent educational qualification (M.Plan in Transport planning) prescribed for the post of Assistant Planner in the office of 2nd respondent within a time frame.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner has completed his Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) from the School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada. Thereafter, the petitioner pursued Post Graduation at IIT, Madras and completed M.Tech in civil engineering

from Indian Institution of Technology. While so, the 1st respondent issued notification inviting applications to fill up various posts, one such post is Assistant Planner. Since the petitioner possesses the required qualification, the petitioner applied for the post. The petitioner attended the written examination and qualified on merit and applied for equivalence certificate in respect of B.Arch qualification and upon due consideration, the 3rd respondent issued an equivalence in respect of B.Arch qualification. Further, the petitioner has sent detailed syllabus of M.Tech (transportation engineering) from IIT Madras and syllabus of M.Plan (Transport planning) from school of Planning and Architecture Delhi to the 3rd respondent, however, the decision has not been taken by the respondent, hence the present writ petition.

3. The learned counsels appearing for the respondents would submit that the petitioner himself applied before the 3rd respondent for equivalence certificate and the matter is pending before the 3rd respondent.

4. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned counsels appearing for the respondents and perused the documents placed on record.

5. It is pertinent to point out that the petitioner possessed the required qualifications specified in the notification issued by the 1st respondent for the post of Assistant Planner in the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. The petitioner possessed Bachelor of Architecture from the School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada and Post graduation at IIT, Madras and completed M.Tech in Civil Engineering (Specialisation in Transportation Engineering) from Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. Further, the petitioner applied for issuance of equivalence certificates in respect of both the qualifications, viz.,Under Graduation and Post Graduation on 23.05.2025 before the 3rd respondent. Upon due consideration, the 3rd respondent issued an equivalence certificate dated 19.06.2025 recognising the petitioner's B.Arch Degree.

However, informed that the syllabus and course structure of Post graduation should be compared with the equivalent course offered by Anna University, however, Anna university does not offer M.Plan in transport planning or any identical transport specialisation for comparison, therefore, the petitioner has sent detailed syllabus of M.Tech (Transportation Engineering) from IIT Madras and syllabus of M.Plan (Transport Planning) from School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi. Inspite of the same, no decision has been arrived at by the 3rd respondent.

6. Considering the above said facts and circumstances of the case, there shall be direction to the 3rd respondent to pass appropriate orders on the

petitioner's application/Email dated 04.06.2025 with regard to the equivalence certificate for petitioner's M.Tech Civil Engineering (Specilization in Transportation engineering) awarded by the 4th respondent to that of M.Plan in Transport Planning) prescribed for the post of Assistant Planner within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. With the above said direction, the present Writ Petition stands disposed of. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. No costs. 10-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order ssd To

1. The Tamilnadu Public service commission(TNPSC) Rep by its secretaryTNPSC Road,VOC Nagar,Park Town,Chennai-600 003

2. Chennai Metropolitan Development authority(CMDA) Rep by its Member Secretary Thalamuthu Natarajan Maligai No.1, Gandhi Irwin Road, Egmore,Chennai-600 008

3. The Tamilnadu State Council for Higher Education, Rep by its Member secretarry Lady Willington college campus Kamarajar salai,Triplicane, chennai-600 008

4. Indian Institute of Technology Rep by its Registrar,Sardar Vallabhai Patel Road,Chennai-600 036

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

ssd 10-03-2026