Guhan S v. The Principal Secretary To Government Of Tamil Nadu
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 05.08.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN S.Guhan ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Principal Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Higher Education Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 09.
2.The Principal, St.John's College, Tirunelveli - 627 011.
...Respondents
Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to relax the upper age limit of 21 years prescribed for admission into the B.A. Tamil Programme for the academic year 2025-2026 and permit the petitioner's admission by considering the petitioner's representation dated 21.05.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.K.Sivasankari For R1 : Mr.P.T.Thiraviam Government Advocate For R2 : No Appearance 1/6
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed for a writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents to relax the upper age limit of 21 years prescribed for admission into the B.A. Tamil Programme for the academic year 2025-2026 and permit the petitioner's admission by considering the petitioner's representation dated 21.05.2025.
2. The petitioner seeks admission with the second respondent.
3. Although notice has been served on the second respondent, there is no representation on behalf of the second respondent.
4. The first respondent has filed a detailed counter, wherein, Paragraph Nos.7 and 8, has been stated as under:
7. I humbly submit that the Government in G.O.(D) No.110, Higher Education (D1) Department, dated 22.05.2024 issued guidelines for admission of students to UG/PG courses in Government / Government Aided / Self Financing colleges of Arts and Science in Tamil Nadu for the academic year 2024-25. Clause 11 of the Guidelines prescribes and upper age limit of 21 years for admission to UG Courses as on 1 July of the Academic Year, Limited relaxation of provided only to women candidates and the candidates belonging to SC/SCA/ST/BC/BCM/MBC/DNC (by 3 years), and differently abled candidates (by 5 years). 2/6
8. I humbly submit that the petitioner belongs to open category and is not eligible for any such relaxation under the said clause 11 of G.O. (D) No.110, Higher Education (D1) Department, dated 22.05.2024. The G.O. further clarify that no other relaxation shall be granted by the Government, thereby leaving no scope for discretionary exception.
5. As per G.O.(D)No.110, Higher Education (G1) Department, dated 22.05.2024, upper age limit has been prescribed in connection with the UG Courses as per annexure to the aforesaid G.O., the upper age limit for admitting candidate is 21 years as on 01.07.2024 and only in the case of differently abled persons as per G.O.Ms.No.239, S.W. Dated 03.09.1993 and in the case of candidates belonging to SC/SCA/ST/BC/BCM/MBC/DNC and women candidates can be allowed age relaxation of three years beyond 21 years for the admission into UG Courses. This is required to be followed mandatorily as per the aforesaid G.O., and the annexure to the aforesaid G.O. Paragraph No.11 of the G.O.(D)No.110, Higher Education (G1) Department, dated 22.05.2024 reads as under:
11.Age limit:
The upper age limit for admission to UG courses will be 21 (twenty one) years as on 1st July 2024. However, a relaxation of 5 years is permitted for differently abled candidates as per G.O.Ms.No. 239, S.W.dated 3-9-93. SC/SCA/ST/BC/BCM/MBC/DNC and women 3/6
candidates may be allowed age relaxation of 3 years beyond 21 years for the admission into UG Courses.
The above age limit should be strictly followed and no student should be admitted above the age limit and no age relaxation will be granted by Government.. If the Colleges fail to the above instructions, severe action will be taken against the concerned college.
6. There is no scope for giving any relief to the petitioner without challenge to the aforesaid G.O. However, liberty is granted to the petitioner to challenge the aforesaid G.O., as prima facie the aforesaid G.O., appears to be arbitrary as it seeks to deny the opportunity of education which would entitle the candidates for future employment.
7. The writ petition stands disposed of with the above liberty. No costs. 05.08.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No sn 4/6
To 1.The Principal Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Higher Education Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 09.
2.The Principal, St.John's College, Tirunelveli - 627 011.
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C.SARAVANAN, J.
sn W.P(MD).No.15386 of 2025 05.08.2025 6/6