Nethrodaya v. The State Of Tamil Nadu,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 18.03.2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN and WMP Nos.12337 and 12338 of 2026

1. Nethrodaya A Registered trust, Represented by its Managing Trustee, Mr.

Govindakrishnan, Son of Late K.P Sethumadhavan, 47/1, Nolambur Phase II, Mogappair West, Chennai 600 037 Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by its Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009 2.State Commissioner for Welfare of the Differently Abled Department for Welfare of the Differently Abled Persons, Lady Wellington College Campus, Chennai 600 005 3.The Thiruvalluvar University Represented by its Registrar Serkkadu, Vellore 632 115.

4.The Controller of Examinations Thiruvalluvar University, Serkkadu, Vellore 632 115 Respondent(s) PRAYER Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India calling for the records of the impugned notification vide Ref. No. TVU/E/2025 dated 4.3.2026 on the file of the 4th respondent and quash the same in so far as it fails to exempt persons with benchmark disabilities from payment of examination fee for the April/May 2026 semester examination and consequently direct the 4th respondent to permit the students with benchmark disabilities in the 3rd respondent University and all its affiliated colleges to write the ensuing April-May 2026 examination without insisting for examination fee .

For Petitioner:

Ms. Gopika Nambiar For Respondents:

Mr. M.Habeeb Rahman Government Advocate For R1 And R2.

Ms. Mary Sowmi Rexi.H.

For M/s. Isaac Chambers For R3 And R4.

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) This writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, styled as Public Interest Litigation, seeks to challenge the notification

issued by the 4th respondent University dated 04.03.2026, which, according to the petitioner, does not exempt persons with benchmark disabilities from payment of examination fee for the upcoming AprilMay 2026 semester examination.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the G.O. (Ms.) No.113, Higher Education (G1) Department, dated 28.06.2024 was issued by the Government granting exemption from payment of examination fees for the persons with benchmark disabilities pursuing higher education in Government/Government Aided Educational Institutions under various departments in the State of Tamil Nadu. She further submitted that the 4th respondent, in its revised circular dated 25.09.2025 had extended the benefits of the aforesaid G.O. to such persons. However, in the impugned notification dated 04.03.2026, there is no specific provision for waiver of examination fees for persons with benchmark disabilities/blind persons.

3. Learned standing counsel for the 4th respondent University, on instructions, submitted that each student is provided with an User-ID and Password through which the student is supposed to login and enter the relevant details and the said transaction shall be only

between the University and the student. Even if the web portal did not provide for any platform/provision for exemption of payment of examination fee for the physically challenged students/persons with benchmark disabilities, when it moves to the next command for them to upload other details, like disability certificate, etc., it would, in turn, entitle the student to get exemption from payment of examination fee. She would point out that the petitioner is unable to show any instance where any student was refused the benefit of exemption. She would, therefore, submit that the petition itself is misconceived and the same is liable to be dismissed.

4. Heard the learned counsel for the parties.

5. In view of the statement made by the learned counsel for the respondents/University and taking note of the fact that the petitioner has not shown any instance where a student was refused the benefit of exemption, we are of the firm view that the benefit of exemption from payment of examination fee has been extended to all the persons with benchmark disabilities as per the G.Os. issued by the Government from time to time. Therefore, we are not inclined to entertain this writ petition.

Writ petition is, accordingly, dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the interim applications stand closed. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ.) (G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.) 18.03.2026 Index : Yes/No : Yes/No sra To

1. The Secretary to Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Higher Education Department, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009 2.State Commissioner for Welfare of the Differently Abled Department for Welfare of the Differently Abled Persons, Lady Wellington College Campus, Chennai 600 005 3.The Registrar, Thiruvalluvar University Serkkadu, Vellore 632 115.

4.The Controller of Examinations Thiruvalluvar University, Serkkadu, Vellore 632 115 Respondent(s)

THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.

(sra) 18.03.2026