J. Joyce Priya v. The Secretary

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 14.08.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR J.Joyce Priya ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Secretary, Teachers Recruitment Board, IVth Floor, Sampath Maligai, DPI Compound, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.

2.The Director of School Education, DPI Campus, Chennai-6.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to appoint the petitioner in the post of B.T.Assistant in Science any of the existing unfilled vacancy under Backward Class (Women) Category in view of the resolution passed by the equivalence committee vide Government Order in G.O.Ms.No.232 Higher Education (K2) Department dated 18.11.2016 within the time period stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.Rithik Sushil For R-1 : Mr.T.Amjad Khan Government Advocate

For R-2 : Mr.N.Satheesh Kumar Additional Government Pleader

ORDER

The Writ Petition has been filed for Mandamus to direct the respondents to appoint the petitioner in the post of B.T.Assistant (Science) in any of the existing unfilled vacancy under Backward Class (Women) Category in view of the resolution passed by the Equivalence Committee vide G.O.Ms.No.232 Higher Education (K2) Department dated 18.11.2016.

2. According to the petitioner, she was an aspirant to the post of BT Assistant (Science) and originally, she was called for certificate verification by the first respondent. After the recruitment process, results were published. However, the petitioner's result was withheld and further process of selection was proceeded against her on the ground that her qualification of B.Sc Special Chemistry with Chemiformatics is not equivalent to the prescribed qualification of B.Sc. Chemistry. Hence, she had come forward with this Writ Petition seeking direction to appoint her in the post of B.T Assistant (Science) on the ground that equivalency denied by the Board was not proper.

3. The first respondent/ Teachers Recruitment Board has filed a counter affidavit and the learned Government Advocate submitted that as per G.O. (Ms).No.232, Higher Education (K2) Department, dated 18.11.2016, B.Sc. Special Chemistry with Cheminformatics awarded by Lady Doak College was accepted as equivalent to B.Sc. Chemistry. However, the petitioner was not selected, since she has secured a total weightage marks of 60.63, which is lesser than the cut off marks. Hence, she cannot claim any appointment as prayed in the Writ Petition.

4. I have considered the submissions made on both sides and perused the materials available on record.

5. Paragraph 12 of the counter affidavit states the cut off range of each category and the same reads as follows:

"GT G - 69.00 GT W - 68.76 BC G - 66. 86 BC W - 67.36"

Paragraph 7 of the counter provides the details of the weightage marks given to the petitioner, which reads as follows:

Weightage Marks awarded as per G.O.No.71 dt.

30.05.2014 H.Sc., 76.83 7.68 Qualification % of marks obtained B.A., 65.70 9.86 B.Ed., 68.60 10.29 TET 32.80 Total 60.63

6. Since the weightage marks obtained by the petitioner is well below the cut off marks, she is not entitled to claim any right of appointment based on the said marks. However, in the counter, it has been categorically clarified that the petitioner's educational qualification of B.Sc. Special Chemistry with Cheminformatics is equivalent to B.Sc. Chemistry. The same is recorded.

7. In the result, the Writ Petition stands dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs.

14.08.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Lm

To 1.The Secretary, Teachers Recruitment Board, IVth Floor, Sampath Maligai, DPI Compound, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.

2.The Director of School Education, DPI Campus, Chennai-6.

K.RAJASEKAR,J.

Lm 14.08.2025