IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 23.02.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and W.M.P.Nos.6087 & 6089 of 2026 P.V.Jaganathan ..Petitioner(s)

Vs

1.Directorate of Public Health No.359, Anna Salai, DMS Complex, Teynampet, Chennai-600006.

2. Member Secretary Medical Services Recruitment board, 7^th Floor, DMS Building, 359, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai-600006.

3. Superintendent Medical Services Recruitment board, 7^th Floor, DMS Building, 359, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai-600006.

..Respondent(s)

Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for records in PSL.No.01/MRB/2026 dated 28.01.2026 on the file 2^nd Respondent and quash the same as illegal, arbitrary and without jurisdiction and consequently to direct the 2^nd Respondent appoint the Petitioner as Health Inspector Grade – II.

For Petitioner(s) :Ms.Dhaaranee for M/s.V.Srimathi For Respondent(s) : Mr.K.Tippusulthan, Government Advocate for R-1 :Mr.S.J.Mohd Sathick for RR-2 & 3

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed challenging the provisional selection list for the post of Health Inspector Grade-II with reference to the recruitment notification dated 27.10.2025 issued by the 2^nd respondent.

2. The petitioner had participated in the selection process pursuant to the recruitment notification dated 27.10.2025 for appointment to the post of Health Inspector Grade-II issued by the 2^nd respondent and secured 70 marks. As per the said notification, candidates who had rendered service during COVID-19 period are entitled to grant of four incentive marks. It is the case of the petitioner that, though the petitioner squarely falls within the said category, he was not granted incentive marks despite his eligibility and production of valid COVID-19 duty certificate and consequently, his name was not included in the impugned selection list. Aggrieved by which, the petitioner has come up with the present Writ Petition.

3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the act of the respondents is denying the incentive marks to the petitioner as also the impugned selection list is wholly arbitrary and illegal as the same is contrary to clause 7-B of the notification itself which prescribes for grant of incentive marks to candidates upon their production of COVID-19 duty certificate being issued by the competent authorities. He further submitted that, had the incentive marks been granted to the petitioner, he would have been placed at higher rank and had fallen within the zone of consideration for the post of Health Inspector Grade-II. Accordingly, he prayed for allowing the Writ Petition.

4. Learned counsel appearing for the 2^nd and 3^rd respondent submitted that as per the notification, the COVID-19 duty certificate must be signed by the Deputy Director of Health services, however, in the present case, the certificate produced by the petitioner has been signed by two officials i.e., the Block Medical Officer and the District Health Officer. Since, the same is in violation of one of the conditions prescribed in the notification, the request for awarding incentive marks cannot be acceded to. Accordingly, he prayed for dismissal of the Writ Petition.

5. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.

6. It is not in dispute that the petitioner had participated in the selection process pursuant to the recruitment notification dated 27.10.2025 to the post of Health Inspector Grade -II in Tamil Nadu Public Health subordinate Service. It is equally undisputed fact that the petitioner had secured 70 marks in the written examination and had produced the COVID – 19 duty certificate duly signed by the Block Medical Officer and the District Health Officer. The main grievance of the petitioner is that he was not granted any incentive mark for the service rendered during the COVID - 19 period in terms of G.O.(Ms).No.299, Health and Fami