P.Vadivelu v. The Managing Director (Central Office)

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 24.11.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.KUMARESH BABU W.P.(MD)No.31608 of 2025 and W.M.P(MD)No.24778 of 2025 P.Vadivelu

...Petitioner

Vs 1.The Managing Director (Central Office), Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Limited, Tirunelveli Region, Tirunelveli District.

2.The General Manager, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Limited, Tirunelveli Region, Tirunelveli District.

... 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 issue appointment to the petitioner for the post of Driver/ Conductor by considering the petitioner's representation dated 23.10.2025 within the period that may be stipulated by this Court. 1/6

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Siva Sankar For Respondents : Mr.D.Jebaraj Standing Counsel

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed for a writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents to issue appointment to the petitioner for the post of Driver/ Conductor by considering the petitioner's representation dated 23.10.2025 within the period that may be stipulated by this Court. 2.The issue relates to the qualification of the petitioner, as to whether they would have to acquire the SSLC Certificate by studying in a recognised institution or not. The educational qualifications prescribed under the notification is that a candidate must have passed the SSLC examination or the 10th standard public examination (under the revised scheme of 1979) with eligibility for admission to the Higher Secondary course from a recognised school of Tamil Nadu. The same has been incorporated pursuant to the Government Order issued by the Government in G.O.(Ms)No.31, Transport (C1) Department dated 21.02.2025.

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3. By placing reliance on the judgment of the learned Single Judge made in W.P(MD)No.8827 of 2011 dated 09.11.2011, respondent corporation submits that such a certificate should have been obtained from a recognised School in Tamil Nadu. A perusal of the said judgement would indicate that the learned Single Judge, after extracting the relevant Rules, held that the SSLC certificate ought to have been obtained from a recognised regular school in Tamil Nadu.

4. It is to be noted that the said service Rules require that a candidate, who has passed the SSLC with eligibility for admission to a college course or a candidate who has passed the 10th standard public examination and possesses a certificate with eligibility for admission to Higher Secondary Course from a recognised school of Tamil Nadu shall be deemed to be eligible for the purpose of recruitment. Based on the same, the learned Single Judge had arrived at a conclusion that the petitioner therein did not possess an SSLC certificate from a recognised regular school in Tamil Nadu. These very same Rules have been incorporated in G.O.(Ms)No.31, Transport (C1) Department dated 3/6

21.02.2025. What had been not taken note by the learned Single Judge is that none of the School grants SSLC certification and such certificates are being issued only by the Department of Government Examinations on the recommendations made by the Board in that regard. Any person, who possess such certificate are entitled for admission in any of the recognised schools offering Higher Secondary Courses. Therefore, there is no distinction between an SSLC certificate issued to a person either studied in a regular school or through a private sector or a certificate issued by NIOS by the Central Government. The said distinction has been failed to take note of by the learned Single Judge.

5. Therefore, this Court is of the view that the said judgment does not espouse the correct position of law. The petitioner admittedly having the SSLC certificate issued by the Department of Government Examination and such certificates are valid certificates to enable the petitioner to obtain an admission to a Higher Secondary Courses in a regular school. Hence, the petitioner is eligible to be considered for appointment.

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6. In such view of the matter, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondents to call the petitioner for interview and if he falls within the zone of consideration, to consider the case for appointment for the vacancies notified. There shall be no order as to costs. Such exercise shall be completed within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

24.11.2025 NCC:yes/no Index:yes/no Internet:yes/no Sn To:

1.The Managing Director (Central Office), Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Limited, Tirunelveli Region, Tirunelveli District.

2.The General Manager, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Limited, Tirunelveli Region, Tirunelveli District.

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K.KUMARESH BABU , J.

Sn 24.11.2025 6/6