High Court · 2025

W.P.No.7113 of 2022IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRASDATED: 11.09.2025CORAM:THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYANW.P.No.7113 of 2022M.Ravikumar...Petitioner-Vs-1. The Professor and Head,NCERT, Sri Aurobindo Marg,New Delhi – 110 116.2.The Director,Directorate of Government Examinations,DPI Campus,Nungambakkam,Chennai – 600 006.(R2 impleaded as per the order dated 11.09.2025 in W.M.P.No.38618 of 2025in W.P.No.7113 of 2022) ... RespondentsPrayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to declare the son of the petitioner bearing E Roll No.45200189 as a selected candidate under the OBC Category in the NTSE STAGE II, 2020 Examination along with its all benefits. Page 1 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.7113 of 2022For Petitioner: Mr.M.Ravikumar Party-in-personFor RespondentsFor R1: Mr.K.S.Jeyaganeshan Central Government Standing CounselFor R2: Mr.S.Prabhakaran Government AdvocateORDERThis writ petition has been filed for direction directing the respondent to declare the petitioner’s son R.Lakshman Kishor bearing ERoll No.45200189 as a selected candidate under OBC category in the National Talent Search Examinations, Stage II 2020, along with all benefits.2.The petitioner belongs to Parvatharajakulam community and it is coming under the Most Backward Class. His son viz.., R.Lakshman Kishore, while he was studying grade 12 in PSBB Millennium School, Gerugambakkam, Chennai, he had taken part in National Talent Search Examination (hereinafter referred to as “NTSE”) stage I in November, 2019 and also uploaded necessary documents including the community certificate. He was allotted Roll No.4519109104108. Accordingly, the petitioner's son was issued with hall ticket under the category Most Page 2 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.7113 of 2022Backward Class by the State of Tamil Nadu. However, the petitioner’s son's result was published under the General category and not under the MBC category. He scored 159 marks and got selected for stage II under the category of General and not under the category of OBC. In fact, the petitioner also obtained OBC certificate. 3.The petitioner’s son was issued admission card by the National Council of Research and Training, New Delhi and was instructed that the candidates those belong to OBC (NCL as per Central list)SC/ST/PWD category shall submit photocopy of the current certificate to the invigilator. Accordingly, the petitioner's son also submitted his OBC certificate issued by the concerned Tashildar dated 12.10.2020. The petitioner's son attended the examination and secured 129 marks. The cut off mark under the General category was 132 and the cut off marks under the category of OBC is 110. Though the petitioner’s son was eligible to be selected under the OBC category, the petitioner’s son was not selected and he was kept under the General category. Therefore, the petitioner submitted representation to treat his son under the category of OBC and to include his name in the selected candidates list. He also submitted compliant to the office of the Prime Minister and Page 3 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.7113 of 2022the same was forwarded for enquiry. Since the same was not considered, the petitioner has filed this present writ petition. 4.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that in the petitioner’s community his son was the only one to secure high marks and no one else even participated in the National Talent Search Examination. In fact, the petitioner’s son secured 98% in his 10th standard CBSE examinations and he also secured 98.6% in his 12th standard CBSE examinations. He got selected in B.Tech course in the Engineering Physics at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras. Such a brilliant student cannot be denied of the benefits under the NTSE scheme. If at all, the petitioner got selected under the said scheme, he would be entitled to monetary benefits for his 11th standard, 12th standard and also for his college studies. Hence, he prayed to allow this writ petition.5.The first respondent filed counter and the learned Central Government Standing Counsel appearing for the first respondent submitted that the first stage of the NTSE is conducted by the respective States. Though the petitioner’s son was issued hall ticket for Stage I examination under the category of MBC, the State of Tamil Nadu Page 4 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.7113 of 2022forwarded the petitioner’s son under the General category. Therefore, though the petitioner produced OBC certificate at the time of Stage II examination, the petitioner’s son was not considered under the OBC quota. Therefore, he was not selected under the NTSE scheme. The petitioner’s son secured only 129 marks and the cut off marks for the General category was 132 marks. Therefore, the petitioner’s son is not entitled for any benefit under the NTSE scheme. 6.The learned Government Advocate appearing for the second respondent submitted that at the time of applying for the State-II examination under the NTSE scheme, the petitioner did not upload his son's OBC community certificate. He had chosen to produce only MBC Community Certificate. Though the petitioner's son is coming under the MBC, it is applicable only for the State of Tamil Nadu. If the petitioner’s son writes any examination under the Union of India, his eligibility will be considered only on production of OBC certificate. Therefore, the petitioner’s son's name was sent under the General category.Page 5 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.7113 of 20227.Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials placed before this Court. 8.Admittedly, the petitioner belongs to Parvatharajakulam community and it is coming under the MBC in the State of Tamil Nadu. Insofar as the Government of India is concerned, the petitioner is coming under OBC category and he also obtained OBC certificate for his son from the jurisdictional Tashildar. At the stage II examination, immediately after the receipt of the admit card, the petitioner’s son uploaded his OBC certificate dated 12.10.2020. Even then, the respondent published the result of the petitioner’s son under the General category. He secured 129 marks and the cut-off marks for General category was 132 marks. Further the cut off mark for the OBC category was 110 marks. If the petitioner’s son was kept under the OBC category, he would have gotten selected under the NTSE scheme. However, the second respondent wrongly sent the petitioner’s son's name under the General category instead of OBC category. Only because, the State of Tamil Nadu sent the petitioner’s son under the General category, the petitioner’s son was kept under the General category without considering Page 6 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.7113 of 2022the certificate produced by the petitioner’s son at the time of stage -II examination. 9.That apart, the petitioner’s son secured more than 95% in class 10th and class 12th examinations and he was selected for the course of B.Tech., Engineering Physics in the IIT, Madras and he is currently in his fourth year. Therefore, the petitioner's son is eligible for scholarship under the NTSE scheme. This scheme is one of the most prestigious academic competitions in India and the recognition as an NTSE scholar carries lifelong academic and professional weightage. It is awarded to less than one in a thousand students who appear for the examination. In fact, many leading universities and institutions, both in India and abroad, attach importance to this distinction. Therefore, the award under the NTSE also serves as a decisive credential in competitive examinations, research opportunities and other fellowships. Only because the petitioner’s sons was kept under the General quota, he was not selected for the scholarship under the NTSE scheme.Page 7 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.7113 of 202210.Therefore, the respondents are directed to keep the petitioner’s son under OBC category under the NTSE Stage II 2020 examination and to grant monetary and other benefits if any to the petitioner's son within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 11.Accordingly, the Writ Petition stands allowed. There shall be no order as to costs.11.09.2025(½) Index : Yes/NoNeutral Citation : Yes/NoSpeaking/Non Speaking orderrtsPage 8 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.7113 of 2022To1. The Professor and Head,NCERT, Sri Aurobindo Marg,New Delhi – 110 116.2.The Director,Directorate of Government Examinations,DPI Campus,Nungambakkam,Chennai – 600 006.Page 9 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.7113 of 2022 G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN. J,rtsW.P.No.7113 of 202211.09.2025(½) Page 10 of 10