Vetrvel B v. The Secretary
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 26-03-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA Vetrivel B ..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The Secretary Tamilnadu Public Service Commission, Frazer Bridge Road, V.O.C. Nagar, Park Town, Chennai 600 003
2. The Chairman Tamilnadu Public Service Commission, Frazer Bridge Road, V.O.C. Nagar, Park Town, Chennai 600 003
3. The Director Department of Public Health, and Preventive Medicine, no 359 Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai 600 006 ..Respondent(s) Prayer:
This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking certiorarified mandamus, calling for the records relating to the interview marks awarded to the petitioner for the post of Senior Entomologist (2032) pursuant to Notification No 8/2025 dated 07.05.2025
and quash the same insofar as it affects the petitioner and consequently direct the respondents to conduct a fresh interview or re-evaluate the interview marks of the petitioner in a fair and unbiased manner. For Petitioner(s):
M/s.I.Bobby Portia For Respondent(s):
Mr. Karthik Jagannath Standing Counsel (R1 and R2) Mr. M.Bindran Additional Government Pleader (R3)
ORDER
This writ petition is filed for the following relief: "To call for the records relating to the interview marks awarded to the petitioner for the post of Senior Entomologist (2032) pursuant to Notification No 8/2025 dated 07.05.2025 and quash the same insofar as it affects the petitioner and consequently direct the respondents to conduct a fresh interview or re-evaluate the interview marks of the petitioner in a fair and unbiased manner."
2. The petitioner would submit that respondents issued notification inviting applications for 33 posts under the Combined Technical Services Examination (Interview Posts). The petitioner, possessing requisite qualification, namely, M.Sc. Public Health Entomology and equivalent M.Sc. Zoology, with more than 9.5 years of professional experience in Vector Borne Disease Control Programmes, applied for the post of Senior Entomologist through online on 04.06.2025.
3. The petitioner participated in the selection process and appeared for the written examination conducted between 20.07.2025 and 22.07.2025, wherein he secured 217.50 marks. Based on his performance in the written examination, the petitioner was provisionally shortlisted for certificate verification and interview and was directed to appear for the same on 05.03.2026, by memorandum dated 13.02.2026, issued by the respondents.
4. The petitioner attended the interview on 05.03.2026. However, during the course of the interview, one of the members of the interview panel displayed clear bias and prejudice by making irrelevant remarks
questioning the petitioner for speaking in English and insisting that he should speak in Tamil.
5. The interviewer further raised irrelevant questions about the petitioner's family background, which had no nexus to the assessment of merit. Such a conduct created a hostile and discriminatory atmosphere during the interview, thereby depriving the petitioner of a fair opportunity to present his qualifications, professional experience and achievements.
6. The petitioner would submit that despite his good marks and substantial professional experience, the respondents awarded only 36 marks out of 60 in the personal interview, which is arbitrary and disproportionate. Due to the said arbitrary interview marks, the petitioner's overall rank fell to 19th position, thereby pushing him out of the zone of consideration. Therefore, the petitioner is before this Court seeking the aforesaid relief.
7. Heard the learned counsels on the either side and perused the records.
8. The petitioner's combined marks in the written examination and the interview was 253.50, i.e., 217.50 marks in written examination and 36 marks in the interview, even if he were to given the entire 60 marks in the interview, he would only get a total of 277.5. The cut off mark in the general category is 282. From the above, it is clear that the petitioner does fall within the zone of consideration.
9. Accordingly, this writ petition is dismissed. No costs. 26-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order KAN
To
1. The Secretary Tamilnadu Public Service Commission, Frazer Bridge Road, V.O.C. Nagar, Park Town, Chennai 600 003
2. The Chairman Tamilnadu Public Service Commission, Frazer Bridge Road, V.O.C. Nagar, Park Town, Chennai 600 003
3. The Director Department of Public Health, and Preventive Medicine, no 359 Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai 600 006
P.T.ASHA, J.
KAN 26-03-2026