WA/2888/2026 of M.Gomathi Vs D.Vaitheeswari on 23 September 2026

COMMON JUDGMENT

(Judgment of the Court was delivered by S.M.Subramaniam J.) Recruitment notification for selection to the posts of Work Inspector were notified by the respondents on 02.02.2024. The appellants/writ petitioners submitted their respective applications to participate in the selection process. At the time of counselling and during the verification, the authorities found that the appellants possessed the qualification of Diploma in Engineering (Electronics and Communications). As per the recruitment

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notification, the qualification prescribed for the post of Work Inspector is Diploma in Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering from the institutions approved by the Government of Tamil Nadu. Though the appellants had applied for the post, they are not qualified as per the educational qualification notified under the recruitment notification.

2. The learned counsel for the appellants would mainly contend that Diploma in Engineering (Electronics and Communication) is equivalent to B.E. (Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering) as per G.O.(Ms) No.178 Higher Education (J1) Department, dated 17.07.2015.

3. Especially in the said Government Order, the equivalence was considered only between B.E. (Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering) Anna University and B.E. Electrical Engineering or Electronics and Communication Engineering. The said equivalence order passed by the Government is no where connected with Diploma in Electronics and Communication. Therefore, the reliance placed on by the appellants is untenable and not connected with Diploma in Engineering (Electronics and Communication) possessed by the appellants.

4. Grant of equivalence between the degrees issued by various Universities across the countries are concerned, the Government has constituted a Committee for examination. The Committee constituted is

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empowered to compare the academic subjects and other aspects of the matter and recommend for grant of equivalence. Finally, the Government has to pass an order granting equivalence. Only in the event of granting equivalence, such degrees may be considered for appointment to public post in the Government departments. Courts are not expected to substitute the views of domain experts. Comparison of academic subjects are to be done by the experts in the subjects and the said effort cannot be undertaken by the Courts in exercise of the powers of judicial review. Therefore, the attempt made by the appellants to compare the subjects before this Court cannot be entertained.

5. Since the appellants did not possess the requisite qualification as stipulated under the recruitment notification, the rejection of candidature cannot be said to be perverse. The writ Court has considered the issues in a right perspective and no interference is called for. Consequently, the Writ Appeals stand dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are also closed. (S.M.S.,J.) (K.G.R.,J.) 23-09-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No SLI

WA No. 2888 of 2026

S.M.SUBRAMANIAM J. AND KRISHNASWAMY GOVINDARAJAN J. SLI To

1. The Principal Secretary to Government Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The Director Municipal Administration 75-Santhome High Road, Pattinampakkam, M.R.C. Nagar, R.A. Puram, Chennai - 600 028.

3. Anna University Represented by its Controller of Examination, Old High Ways Building, Sardar Patel, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025.

4. TWAD Board

Chennai - 600 005. WA Nos. 2888 & 2885 of 2026 and CMP Nos.25410 & 25397 of 2026 23-09-2026