P.Soundaram v. The Secretary
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 14.07.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE VIVEK KUMAR SINGH W.P.(MD) No.18879 of 2025 and WMP (MD) Nos.14490 and 14491 of 2025 P.Soundaram : Petitioner Vs.
1. The Secretary, Tamilnadu Public Service Commission, TNPSC Road,VOC Nagar, Park Town, Chennai - 600003.
2. The Controller of Examinations, Tamilnadu Public Service Commission, TNPSC Road, VOC Nagar, Park Town, Chennai - 600003.
: Respondents P RAYER:
Writ Petitions filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the impugned Notification No. 13/2024 dated 23.04.2025 issued by the 2nd respondent, relating to the Main Written Examinations List for the Post of Assistant Public Prosecutor, Grade-II, in the Prosecution Department, and to quash the same as arbitrary, illegal and ultra vires, and by consequently directing the respondents to provide 1/6
and additional examination centre in Madurai, thereby ensuring a fair opportunity to the candidates.
For Petitioner : Mr.S.Mukesh For Respondents : Mr.J.Anand Kumar
O R D E R
This writ petition has been filed challenging the impugned notification dated 23.04.2025, issued by the second respondent pertaining to the written examination list for the post of 'Assistant Public Prosecutor, Grade-II', in the Prosecution Department and consequently, seeking a direction to the respondents to provide an additional examination centre in Madurai, thereby ensuring a fair opportunity for the candidates.
2. The petitioner, a practising Advocate, is one among the 528 candidates, who qualified in the preliminary examination for the post of Assistant Public Prosecutor, Grade-II, conducted on 22.02.2025. The main examination is scheduled to be held between 26.07.2025 and 30.07.2025, as per Notification No.13/2024 dated 23.04.2025, issued by the second respondent. The grievance of the petitioner is that the conduct of the main examination exclusively at a centre in Chennai, which, 2/6
according to him, imposes hardship on candidates hailing from Southern Districts and on those with disabilities, thereby allegedly infringing upon the principle of equal opportunity.
3. Heard the learned counsel for the parties. By consent of both parties, the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
4. Taking into account, the limited scope of the relief sought in this writ petition, this Court is of the considered view that the selection and allocation of examination centres is a matter of administrative discretion. The respondents, being the competent recruiting authority, are entitled to determine the location of centres based on practical, logistical and administrative feasibility. The mere inconvenience caused due to travel distance, without more, cannot be construed as a violation of Article 14 or Article 16 of the Constitution of India. Further, the petitioner has not established that the decision to conduct the examination solely in Chennai is either arbitrary or discriminatory. No material has been placed on record to show that similarly placed candidates have been selectively accommodated elsewhere, nor has any 3/6
provision of law been cited that mandates the establishment of examination centres in multiple regions.
5. In view of the above, this writ petition lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are also closed.
14.07.2025 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No PKN 4/6
To
1. The Secretary, Tamilnadu Public Service Commission, TNPSC Road,VOC Nagar, Park Town, Chennai - 600003.
2. The Controller of Examinations, Tamilnadu Public Service Commission, TNPSC Road, VOC Nagar, Park Town, Chennai - 600003.
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VIVEK KUMAR SINGH, J.
PKN W.P.(MD) No.18879 of 2025 14.07.2025 6/6