Cancellation of polytechnic teachers’ recruitment exam: Government put on notice

M Ilamathi (33), from Sivaganga, in his petition, had stated that he had completed M.Sc, M.Phil and had applied for Government Polytechnic College teachers exam, for the post of lectureship in Mathematics, that was conducted on September 16 last year.

He stated that he appeared for the exam and in the November, authorities commenced the certificate verification process. After the certificate verification process, the original answer sheets were uploaded in the Teachers’ Recruitment Board (TRB) website. Despite the uploading of answer sheet under the careful surveillance of TRB officials, various irregularities had reportedly taken place, he stated.

Under the circumstance, the Chairman of TRB, in an order dated February 9, had cancelled the exam in toto, and had further informed that fresh recruitment would be carried out in first week of August. The cancellation of entire exam affects as many as 1.33 lakh candidates who wrote the exam, the petitioner prayed. 

Cancellation of exam is unwarranted as there was no malpractice reported in conducting exam. Also since there is no fault on the part of other candidates, Ilamathi wondered on why they are made to suffer for the alleged wrongdoing of others. “Our entire system rests on the principle that let a 100 guilty be acquitted but one innocent should not be convicted. By applying the above principle were should not be put under jeopardy”, stated petitioner. 

The decision of Chairman of TRB to cancel the exam is arbitrary and without considering other candidates who had participated in the selection process the cancellation order was passed. Because of the cancellation of the exam, it is violation of Article 14 of Constitution and is also detrimental to large number of candidates. So the Court should stay the exam cancellation order passed by Chairman of TRB, prayed the petitioner. 

After hearing the petition, Judge GR Swaminathan directed to issue notice to Secretary of Higher Education Department and Chairman of TRB.