Pradeep v. The State Of Tamilnadu

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 12.11.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.KUMARESH BABU W.P.(MD)No.32284 of 2025 and W.M.P(MD)Nos.25392, 25394 and 25398 of 2025 Pradeep

...Petitioner

Vs 1.The State of Tamilnadu, Rep by its Secretary (Home Department), Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Director General of Police, Head of Police, Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004.

3.The Chairman, Tamilnadu Uniform Services Recruitment Board, Old Commissioner of Police Office Campus, Egmore, Chennai.

4.The Member Secretary, Tamilnadu Uniform Services Recruitment Board, Old Commissioner of Police Office Campus, Egmore, Chennai.

... Respondents 1/7

Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, quashing the portion of the notification dated 04.04.2025 bearing Notification No.1/25 issued by the fourth respondent, insofar as it fixes the cut-off date as 01.07.2024 for determining eligibility under the departmental quota, and consequently, direct the respondents to permit the petitioner to participate under the departmental quota in the present recruitment process.

For Petitioner : Mr.K.K.Samy For Respondents : Mr.Veer Kathiravan Additional Advocate General Assisted by Mr.F.Deepak Special Government Pleader

O R D E R

This writ petition have been filed to quash the portion of the notification dated 04.04.2025 bearing Notification No.1/25 issued by the fourth respondent, insofar as it fixes the cut-off date as 01.07.2024 for determining eligibility under the departmental quota, and consequently, direct the respondents to permit the petitioner to participate under the departmental quota in the present recruitment process. 2/7

2.The challenge in this writ petition is with regard to the different cut off dates fixed for department candidates and open candidates. The main contention is that the two different yardsticks cannot be applied and that even for the open candidates, cut off date should be fixed as 01.07.2024 similar to the departmental candidates. Therefore, the notification giving two different cut off dates for open candidates and for departmental candidates is arbitrary. Hence, he seeks indulgence of this Court.

3.The learned Additional Advocate General relied upon Rule 14 of the Special Rules for the Tamil Nadu Police Subordinate Services and submits that with regard to the notification to be issued for a particular selection, then the first date of July of that year would be the cut off date. However, under the proviso to Annexure II Category 2- Sub Inspectors of Police provided that for candidates who applied under the Department quota by direct recruitment should not have completed 45 years of age as on the first July of the preceding year of the date of notification of the selection. He submits that notification had been issued on 04.04.2025 3/7

and therefore, applying the proviso of the Rule 14 of the Special Rules for Tamil Nadu Police Subordinate Services, the cut off date for filling up departmental candidates quota would be 01.07.2024 and the Rule had been strictly followed. Therefore, he prays this Court to dismiss these writ petitions.

4. I have considered the submissions made by the learned counsel on either sides and perused the materials on record. 5.The petitioners before this Court belongs to open category candidates challenging the different cut off dates fixed for the qualfying age. Even though the claim on the first brush would prima facie satisfy the Court that such application of Rule 14 of the Special Rules for Tamil Nadu Police Subordinate Services for direct recruitment, the cut off date should be first July of the year in which the notification is issued, but by proviso to Annexure 2 to the category 2 - Sub Inspectors of Police, to be filled up from the departmental candidates the cut off date has been fixed as first July of the preceding year of the notification. 4/7

6.In the present case, the notification has been issued on 04.04.2025 and therefore, with regard to the departmental candidates by applying the Rules, 01.07.2024 has to be the cut off date and with regard to open candidates, first July 2025 would be the cut off date for the open candidates. Therefore, this Court is of the view that the impugned notification has been issued in complaine with the Rule 14 of the Special Rules for Tamil Nadu Police Subordinate Services

7. For the aforesaid reasons, the writ petition stands dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

12.11.2025 NCC:yes/no Index:yes/no Internet:yes/no Sn To:

1.The Secretary (Home Department), Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.

5/7

2.The Director General of Police, Head of Police, Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004.

3.The Chairman, Tamilnadu Uniform Services Recruitment Board, Old Commissioner of Police Office Campus, Egmore, Chennai.

4.The Member Secretary, Tamilnadu Uniform Services Recruitment Board, Old Commissioner of Police Office Campus, Egmore, Chennai.

6/7

K.KUMARESH BABU , J.

Sn 12.11.2025 7/7