IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 05.01.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI W.P.No. 49694 of 2025 and W.M.P.No. 55547 of 2025 P.M.Pooja ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Assistant General Manager, Human Resources Development Department, Indian Overseas Bank, Central Office, No.763, Anna Salai, Chennai – 600002.

2.The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, Rep. By its Secretary, TNPSC Road, VOC Nagar, Park Town, Chennai – 600 003. ....Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1^st respondent to permit the petitioner to participate in the further stages of the selection process for the post of Local Bank Officer 2025-2026.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Kirubaharan For Respondents : Mr.B.Vijay for R2 Mr.K.Srinivasamurthy for Mr.N.G.R.Prasad for R1

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of writ of mandamus, directing the 1^st respondent to permit the petitioner to participate in the further stages of the selection process for the post of Local Bank Officer 2025-2026.

2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner’s mother tongue is Tamil and she is fully proficient in Tamil however, she did not studied Tamil as a subject in her formal education therefore, she appeared for second class language test in Tamil conducted by the 2^nd respondent / Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission on 17.12.2022, which is meant to certify adequate Tamil language proficiency for Government jobs aspirants, who has not studied Tamil as subjects at the SSLC or HSC or degree level. The petitioner passed the second class language test conducted by the TNPSC on 10.04.2023, which is as per D.O Letter No.1952/DTD/A2/2021 dated 22.12.2022 issued by Controller of Examination, TNPSC should be treated as a authenticated documents. While so, the petitioner appeared for online main examination conducted by the 1^st respondent for the Local Bank Officer for the year 2025-2026. Based on her performance, she was called for personal interview through call letter issued by the 1^st respondent. Accordingly, the petitioner appeared for interview on 10.12.2025 at IOB Staff College, Chennai. However, the 1^st respondent arbitrarily disallowed the petitioner from further selection process on the ground, the petitioner has not possessed any Tamil language certificate either in the 10^th standard or in the 12^th standard and not obtained any certificate for possessing Tamil language. Challenging the same, the present writ petition is filed.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that though the petitioner pursue her studies in Malayalam language however, the petitioner’s mother tongue is Tamil and since the petitioner’s District is situate adjacent to Kerela, she preferred first language as Malayalam and that will not dis-entitle the petitioner from participating in the selection process for the post of Local Bank Officer conducted by the Indian Overseas Bank and, in order to obtain a certificate for the local language, the petitioner participated the language test conducted by the TNPSC on 10.04.2023 and obtained a certificate on 22.12.2022. He would further submit that the said certificate is sufficient with regard to local language proficiency of the petitioner, however, disallowing the petitioner from participating in the selection process for Local Bank Officer is not acceptable one. Accordingly, he prayed for appropriate orders.

4. Per contra, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondent would submit that as per the advertisement issued by the IOB for recruitment of Local Bank Officer for the year 2025-2026, the candidates must have proficient in reading, writing and speaking in the local language of the State where they applied, failing which, they will not be allowed to appear for personal interview and thus, the candidates will not be considered for further selection process