M.Sangeetha v. The Union Of India
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 24-06-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S. M. SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.SAKTHIVEL WA No. 1645 of 2026 AND CMP NO. 15112 OF 2026
1. M.Sangeetha
2. D.Kalpana
3. R.Suganya
4. B.Hemalatha
5. T.Kanimozhi
6. Ramya K
7. K.Nithyasri
8. M.Dhanalakshmi
9. Saranya 10.E.Ezhilarasi 11.K.Gowsalya 12.N.Vithiya ..Appellants Vs
1. The Union of India Represented By The Chief Secretary To Government, Government Of Union Territory Of Puducherry, Puducherry 605 001.
2. The Secretary to Government Social Welfare Department, Government Of Union Territory Of Puducherry, Puducherry 605 001.
3. The Director of Women and Child Development, Department Of Women And Child Development, Government Of Puducherry, Puducherry.
4. The Managing Director Puducherry Corporation For The Development Of Women And Differently Abled Persons Limited, 1st Cross Rd, Natesan Nagar, Puducherry, 605005 ..Respondents Prayer : Writ Appeal under Clause XV of the Letters Patent to set aside the order dated 01-12-2025 in WP.No.46298 of 2025. For Appellants :
Mr.R.Saravanan For Respondents :
Dr B Ramaswamy Additional Government Pleader (Pudhucherry) Judgment (Judgment of the Court was delivered by S.M.Subramaniam J.) The present intra court appeal has been instituted challenging the order dated 01.12.2025 passed in W.P.No.46298 of 2025.
2. The writ petitioners are the appellants before this Court. The writ petition has been instituted challenging the notification dated 26.05.2021, inviting applications from eligible female candidates of Indian nationality for recruitment to the post of Anganwadi worker and Anganwadi helper on an urgent basis for a short duration of three months only on honorarium basis in
the Anganwadi centres functioning in the Union Territory of Puducherry under the control of the Department of Women and Child Development, Puducherry.
3. The appellants would mainly contend that they are already working as temporary Anganwadi workers / helpers in the centres. The impugned recruitment notification prescribes higher qualification and therefore the appellants are not in a position to participate in the process of selection.
4. This Court is of the considered view that, prescription of educational qualifications, age limit and other criteria are the prerogative of the employer. It is the policy decision taken by the Government and the candidates cannot challenge the qualifications already prescribed for recruitment, unless such prescription is directly in violation of the Statutes or Rules in force. The learned Single Judge in the writ order impugned, has directed the respondents not to disengage the appellants till the completion of the extension period already granted by the authorities. Liberty is also granted to the appellants to participate in the process of selection, if they are otherwise eligible as per the notification.
5. Therefore, we do not find any infirmity in the order dated 01.12.2025 passed by the writ Court in W.P.No.46298 of 2025. The writ appeal stands
dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
(S.M.S.,J.) (R.S.V.,J.) 24-06-2026 Index: Yes Speaking order KST To
1. The Chief Secretary To Government, Government Of Union Territory Of Puducherry, Puducherry 605 001.
2. The Secretary to Government Social Welfare Department, Government Of Union Territory Of Puducherry, Puducherry 605 001.
3. The Director of Women and Child Development, Department Of Women And Child Development, Government Of Puducherry, Puducherry.
4. The Managing Director Puducherry Corporation For The Development Of Women And Differently Abled Persons Limited, 1st Cross Rd, Natesan Nagar, Puducherry, 605005
S.M.SUBRAMANIAM J.
AND R.SAKTHIVEL J.
KST AND CMP NO. 15112 OF 2026 24-06-2026