IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 07-01-2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI

1. Dr.V.Jayachitra

2. Dr. S. Andichiammal

3. Dr. M. Dhanam

4. Dr. M. Chandran 5. Dr. K. Srinivasan 6. Dr. P. Kumaresan

7. Dr. P. Sasikala 8. Dri, D. Suresh

9. Dr. R. Pugalvendhan

10. Dr. M. Senthil Kumar

11. Dr. M. Lenin

12. Dr. C. Vasumathi Petitioner(s)

Vs

1. The Principal Secretary to Government Higher Education Department, Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009

2.The Director of Collegiate Education No.577 Anna Salai, Thod Hunter Nagar, Saidapet, Chennai-600 015 Respondent(s)

PRAYER Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to consider the representation of the Petitioners dated 04.12.2025 and to extend the benefits of GO (MS) No.56 Higher Education (F2) Department dated 21.03.2020 to the Petitioners.

For Petitioners: M/S Adinarayana Rao For Respondents: Mr.K.Tippusulthan Government Advocate

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to consider the representation of the Petitioners dated 04.12.2025 and to extend the benefits of GO (MS) No.56 Higher Education (F2) Department dated

21.03.2020 to the Petitioners.

2.The case of the petitioners is that the petitioners were appointed as Guest Lecturers (temporarily) at Government Arts and Science College, Dharmapuri, based on the orders of the 1^st respondent between the year 2004- 2012 and they have been in continuous service on consolidated pay till date. The Government passed G.O Ms.No.56 Higher Education (F2) Department dated 21.03.2020, to consider the long service rendered by existing Guest Lecturers (temporary) and to fill up vacant 1146 post of Assistant Professors by regularising their services. The G.O Ms.No.56 dated 21.03.2020 was issued only after considering the long period of service rendered by candidates in Government Arts and Science Colleges. The regularisation was to be in accordance to existing University Grants Commission Norms. As per GO MS No.56 dated 21.03.2020, a Selection Committee was constituted to interview and verify the records of eligible candidates and the petitioners were also invited to submit their certificates and documents and the same was also submitted during February 2021. Subsequently, the 1^st respondent issued G.O Ms No.247 dated 08.11.2022 introducing competitive written examination and interview procedure for direct recruitment to fill the post of Assistant Professors superseding the G.O Ms No.56 dated 21.03.2020 and also permitted Guest Lecturers to participate in the competitive examination.

2.01.Simultaneously, the Government also issued G.O Ms No.248 dated

08.11.2022 directing the Teacher’s Recruitment Board to cancel the notification for direct recruitment for 2331 posts of Assistant Professors, and issued 4000 posts of Assistant Professors including the vacancy of 1146 posts earmarked for regularisation. Aggrieved by the same, Guest Lecturers filed W.P No.1971/2023 etc., batch before this Court, challenging G.O Ms No.247 and 248 dated 08.11.2022, insofar as the cancellation/superseding of G.O Ms.No.56 dated 21.03.2020 was concerned with further direction to the 1^st respondent to proceed with the selection/regularisation of Guest Lecturers from the place where it stopped in accordance to G.O Ms No.56 dated 21.03.2020 and the same was allowed quashing G.O Ms No.248 dated 08.11.2022 insofar as 1146 vacancy which were earmarked for regular absorption for eligible Guest Lecturers as per G.O Ms.No.56 dated 21.03.2020. Challenging the same, the 1^st respondent filed appeals in W.A Nos.1199, 1187 of 2025 and 1360 & 1364 of 2024. On 26.06.2025, the Government reported that there is an eminent possibility of order passed in W.P No.1971 of 2023 being complied. Hence the Division Bench of this Court directed the Government to keep 1146 posts earmarked for regular absorption for Guest Lecturers vacant. The petitioners are entitled to have the benefit