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Madras High CourtWP/48636/2025dismissed

P. Lavanya v. The State Represented By

2025-12-11Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani7 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 11.12.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI P.Lavanya ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The State represented by The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009.

2.The Commissioner of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Directorate of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Panagal Building, Chennai-600 015.

3.The District Collector, Tiruppur District, Tiruppur.

....Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to issue Interview Call Letter for the post of Panchayat Secretary to the petitioner by considering her application dated 04.11.2025 in consonance with G.O.(Ms).No.198, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (E5) Department, dated 04.09.2025.

For Petitioner :

Mr.N.S.Suganthan For Respondents : Mr.P.Balathandayutham Special Government Pleader

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the respondents to issue Interview Call Letter for the post of Panchayat Secretary to the petitioner by considering her application dated 04.11.2025 in consonance with G.O.(Ms).No.198, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (E5) Department dated 04.09.2025.

2. The petitioner applied for the post of Panchayat Secretary in pursuant to Notification No.7420/2025/V6 dated 08.10.2025 issued by the third respondent. As per the Notification, the candidates should have passed 10th standard and should have studied Tamil language atleast upto 8th standard. She contended that she has 432 marks out of 500 marks in the 10th standard examination. Her application was neither rejected nor she was called for interview as per the interview call letter published in the website of the respondents. The petitioner further states that without rejecting the petitioner's application, in the website, it has been simply stated that the

petitioner is not shortlisted for interview without assigning any reasons. Therefore, the petitioner has filed this writ petition seeking the aforesaid relief.

3. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner who reiterated the grounds raised in the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition.

4. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents filed a status report, wherein, it has been categorically stated that the guidelines for selection and appointment of Village Panchayat Secretary is in line with the Tamil Nadu Village Panchayat Secretaries (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2025 issued by the Government. As per G.O.Ms.No.198, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (E5) Department dated 04.09.2025, age and educational and other qualifications for the said post are prescribed. According to the said Government Order, the candidates will be evaluated based on the marks obtained in the 10th standard public examination for which 85 marks will be given and for the personal

interview, 15 marks will be given and 85% of weightage will be calculated as follows:- Eligibility for Selection Maximum Marks Education Qualification Pass/Score 10th Grade Marks obtained in 10th Std/Total Marks x 85 85 marks (For Example: If a Candidate got 400 marks out of 500, he will be given 400/500x85=68 marks

5. As per the said Rule, the petitioner who had obtained 432 marks in the 10th standard examination, her weightage marks is 73.44 marks only, whereas, the eligible persons shortlisted for the interview published in the website of the respondents shows the following:- 1st Person - 483/500 : 82.110 2nd Person -481/500 : 81.770 3rd Person -481/500 : 81.770 4th Person -480/500 : 81.600 5th Person -480/500 : 81.600

6. Hence, the eligible persons for interview are at the rate of 1:5 ratio and the aforesaid persons are only eligible for interview. Hence, the interview calling letters were sent to them. Since the petitioner secured only 73.44 marks out of 85 marks, she becomes ineligible for participating in the Post of Panchayat Secretary interview to be held on 12.12.2025. Hence, the learned Special Government Pleader submits that the petitioner is not eligible to be called for interview.

7. Recording the said submission made by the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents and the averments made in the status report filed on behalf of the respondents, this Writ Petition is dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. 11.12.2025 NCC: Yes / No Index : Yes / No Speaking Order : Yes / No ssb

To 1.The State represented by The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009.

2.The Commissioner of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Directorate of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Panagal Building, Chennai-600 015.

3.The District Collector, Tiruppur District, Tiruppur.

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

ssb 11.12.2025