1. The petitioners passed S.S.L.C and also obtained T.T.C. Certificate. Based on the said qualification, they were appointed as Drawing Masters in High Schools between 1985 and 1987. The post of Drawing Master comes under Class 5 of the Tamil Nadu Educational Subordinate Service. The petitioners acquired B.Lit., (Tamil) between 1987 and 2006 from Madras University/Annamalai University respectively through distance education system. They were admitted to B.Lit., course after they passed the entrance examination conducted by the Madras University/Annamalai University, since they did not possess +2 qualification for admission to the degree course. Thereafter, the petitioners obtained either Tamil Pandit training or B.Ed., between 2008 and 2011. According to them, they possessed the required qualification prescribed under the Special Rules that are framed under Article 309 of the Constitution of India for the post of Tamil Pandit, which is also known as Graduate Assistant (Tamil).

2. While so, the third respondent issued the impugned list of ineligible candidates for promotion to the post of Tamil Pandit (Graduate Assistant in Tamil) as on 01.01.2013. The list has contained 131