S.Indirapriyadharsini, v. The University Grants
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Dated: 26.09.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE Dr.JUSTICE G.JAYACHANDRAN W.P.No.7175 of 2014 & 16780 of 2014 & M.P.Nos.1 & 2 of 2014 S.Indirapriyadharsini, Mallikuttai Post, Omalur Taluk, Salem - 636 503.
... Petitioner in W.P.No.7175 of 2014 M.Divya, No.5, Vallalar Nagar, 6th Street Thirumullaivoyal, Chennai- 600 062.
... Petitioner in W.P.No.16780 of 2014 /versus/
1. The University Grants Commission, Rep. by its Secretary, Bahadur Sha Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002.
2. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by Principal Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.
Page Nos.1/6
3. The Secretary, State Eligibility Test, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore - 641 046.
Respondents in both cases Prayer in W.P.No.7175 of 2014: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records on the file of the 3rd respondent in connection with the impugned Clause 6(2)(i) of the Notification issued for State Eligibility Test for Lectureship, October 2012 as well as the impugned cut off marks cited in the mark statement and quash the both as illegal and arbitrary and consequently direct the 3rd respondent to declare successful in the SET Examination undergone by me and thereby issue fresh certificate within the time limit. Prayer in W.P.No.16780 of 2014: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records impugned notification dated 10.08.
2012 issued by the 3rd respondent containing Clause 6(2)(i) for qualifying criteria for eligibility for Lectureship in the State Eligibility Test for Lectureship, October 2012 as well as the impugned cut off marks cited in the mark statement issued by the third respondent and quash the both as illegal and arbitrary and consequently direct the 3rd respondent to declare "Qualified" in the SET Examination 2012 undergone by the petitioner and thereby to issue fresh certificate within the time limit.
Page Nos.2/6
For Petitioner :
No appearance in both W.P's For Respondents :
Mr.P.R.Gopinathan, for R1 in both W.P's :
Mr.S.Venkatesh, for M/s.Aymal Associates :
Mr.C.Gouthamaraj, for R2 Government Advocate *** COMMON ORDER There is no representation for the petitioners and the Learned Counsel for the respondents was heard.
2. It is stated that the issue raised in these writ petitions regrading the qualified marks in the State Eligible Test Examination (SETC - 2012) prescribed by 1st respondent/University Grants Commission is ultra virus. As already been considered by the Division Bench of this Court as well as by the Hon'ble Supreme Court has held that it is the prerogative of the University Grant Commission to prescribe the cut-off marks for the eligibility and the minimum qualifying percentage for the State Eligible Test (SETC- 2012). The Division Bench of this Court in W.A.Nos.4190, 4277 and 3436 of 2019, by its vide order dated 21.08.2023, following the dictum laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court has held that the University Grants Commission is the Page Nos.3/6
competent authority to prescribe eligible criteria for both the National Eligible Test and the State Eligible Test. Hence, nothing survives in these writ petitions.
3. This Court, on perusing the Division Bench decision of this Court in W.A.Nos.4190, 4277 and 3436 of 2019 finds that the law is now settled regarding the fixation of eligible criteria for both the State Eligible Test as well as National Eligible Test.
4. Accordingly , these writ petitions are dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. 26.09.2025 Index :Yes/No.
Internet :Yes/No.
:Yes/No.
bsm To,
1. The Secretary, The University Grants Commission, Bahadur Sha Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002.
Page Nos.4/6
2. The Principal Secretary to Government, The State of Tamil Nadu, Higher Education Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.
3. The Secretary, State Eligibility Test, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore - 641 046.
4. The Government Pleader, High Court, Madras. Page Nos.5/6
Dr.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J.
bsm W.P.No.7175 of 2014 & 16780 of 2014 & M.P.Nos.1 & 2 of 2014 26.09.2025 Page Nos.6/6