V.Jagadeesh Kumar v. Government Of Tamilnadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 10-11-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K. SURENDER and W.M.P.Nos.38226 & 38229 of 2018
1. V.Jagadeesh kumar
2. R.Balaji
3. G.Ragavi
4. R.Sakthi Priya
5. I. Jenitta Glory
6. M.Renugadevi
7. P.Thanu
8. Y.Yasica Sherin
9. N.Suba
10. V.Thimangai
11. S.Shalini
12. V.Devishree
13. M.H.Rihaabunnisa Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. Government of Tamilnadu Rep. by its Secretary, Department of Higher Education , Fort St.George, Chennai-9.
2.The Agricultural Production Commissioner and the Principal Secretary to Government, Tamilnadu, Department of Agriculture, Fort St.George, Chennai-9.
3.Tamilnadu Public Service Commission, Rep. by its Secretary, Frazer Bridge Road (Near Govt.Dental College) Chennai - 3.
4.Anna University Rep. by its Registrar, College of Engineering, Guindy Campus Guindy, Chenni - 25.
5.The Chief Engineer, Department of Tamilnadu Engineering Service, 487, Anna Salai, Nandhanam, Chennai-35.
Respondent(s) PRAYER: This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India seeking Writ of Declaration to declare that the action of the 3rd respondent in so far as rejecting the petitioners applications / candidature for oral test and for further selection and appointment processes, on the ground that they do not satisfy the eligibility condition regarding educational qualification as per the conditions stipulated in the notification and consequently direct the 3rd respondent to include their names at the appropriate place and rank for oral test
and to hold a separate , additional and supplementary oral test for them within a specified time and thereafter to finalise the selection list, after including the petitioners names in the list published on 06.12.2018 containing the results of the candidates at the appropriate places, direct the 2nd and 5th respondents to appoint the petitioners to the post of Assistant Engineer (Agricultural Engineering) based on the petitioners respective overall merit and ranking under the respective open / communal quota, award costs. For Petitioner(s):
M/s.R.Krishnaswamy For Respondent(s):
Mr.C.Gauthamaraj for R1 Ms.R.L.Karthiga, GA for R2 & R5 Mr.I.Abrar Mohamed Abdullah, Standing counsel for R3 NA-R4
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed by the petitioners seeking a declaration that the third respondent's rejection of the petitioners' applications for oral test on grounds that petitioners do not satisfy the eligibility condition regarding educational qualification as per notification and a direction to include their name in the oral test and to consider their appointment as Assistant Engineer (Agricultural Engineering) based on merit.
2. The petitioners, who hold a B.E (Agricultural and Irrigation Engineering) degree from Anna University, applied for the post of Assistant
Engineer under the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Engineering Service. The petitioners were initially permitted to appear for the written examination and their certificates were uploaded during the phase-I verification. However, the 3 rd respondent subsequently rejected their candidature for the oral test on the ground that their degree is not equivalent to the prescribed qualification. Consequently, the petitioners were not called for the oral test. Hence the petitioners are seeking for equivalence of B.E.(Agricultural and Irrigation Engineering) degree offered by the Anna University to B.Tech (Argicultural Engineering) degree offered by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and therefore, filed this Writ Petition with the above said prayer.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioners and the respondents are present.
4. Both counsel appearing on either side submit that in a similar circumstance, this Court dismissed a Writ Petition holding that the two degrees are not equivalent based on G.O.(Ms).No.208, Higher Education (J1) Department, dated 27.11.2024, wherein the Equivalence Committee concluded
that these two degrees are not equivalent.
5. In view of the same, nothing survives in the present Writ Petition. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
K.SURENDER, J.
10-11-2025 Jai Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes To 1.Government of Tamilnadu Rep. by its Secretary, Department of Higher Education , Fort St.George, Chennai-9.
2.The Agricultural Production Commissioner and the Principal Secretary to Government, Tamilnadu, Department of Agriculture, Fort St.George, Chennai-9.
3.Tamilnadu Public Service
Commission, Rep. by its Secretary, Frazer Bridge Road (Near Govt.Dental College) Chennai - 3.
4.Anna University Rep. by its Registrar, College of Engineering, Guindy Campus Guindy, Chenni - 25.
5.The Chief Engineer, Department of Tamilnadu Engineering Service, 487, Anna Salai, Nandhanam, Chennai.
K.SURENDER, J.
jai 10-11-2025