High Court · 2025

W.P.No.10733 of 2023IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRASDATED : 10.12.2025CORAMTHE HONOURABLE Ms. JUSTICE P.T.ASHAW.P.No.10733 of 2023and W.M.P.Nos.10680, 10681 of 2023L.Santhosh Kumar ... Petitioner-vs-1.The Member secretaryMedical Service Recruitment Board, Government of Tamilnadu, No. 359, Anna Salai, Chennai - 06.2.The Secretary,Health and Family Welfare Department, St. Fort George, Chennai - 600 009.3.The Union of India,Represented by its Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, R.No. 156A, Nirmal Bhavan, New Delhi - 110011.4.The Secretary,Ministry of Ayush, Ayush Bhavan, B-Block, GPO Complex, INA, New delhi - 110023.5.The Director (regulations),Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, FDA Bhawan, Page 1 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.10733 of 2023Kolta Road, New Delhi - 110002. (R5 SUO MOTU IMPLEADED VIDE ORDER DT 13.04.2023 MADE IN WP.10733/2023 BY PDAJ)Respondent(s)PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to Writ of Certiorarfied Mandamus, Call for the records of the impugned selection list of the first respondent in notification No. 02 / MRB / 2021 dated 16.02.2023 and quash the same as illegal for non inclusion of petitioner to the selection list of food safety officer and consequently direct the first respondent to publish a fresh selection list by considering the petitioner under PSTM / S.C. Quota and proceed with the selection based on the new list with in the stipulated time period.For petitioner : Mr.K.Gandhi KumarRespondentsFor R1: Mr.L.Murugavelu, Standing Counsel For R2 : Mr.P.Kumaresan, AAG, Assisted by Mr.M.Bindran,AGPFor RR3-4: Mr.V.Ashok Kumar, SPCFor R5: Mr.Su.Srinivasan, CGSC ******ORDERThis writ petition has been filed to quash the impugned notification dated 16.02.2023 by Medical Services Recruitment Board (hereinafter referred as “MRB”) and consequently, to direct Page 2 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.10733 of 2023the MRB to issue / publish a notification afresh for certificate verification by including the petitioner’s name in the cadre of “PSTM Candidates” relating to the recruitment for the post of Food Safety Officer.2.The sum and substance of the petitioner’s grievance articulated in this writ petition are as follows:2.1.The petitioner has completed a medical degree of Siddha Medicine and Surgery (BSMS) in Government Siddha Medical College Hospital in tamil medium and subsequently, completed his PG MD (Siddha) and has also completed her schooling till his medical degree in tamil language only. The MRB had called for direct recruitment for the post of Food Safety Officer vide their publication dated 13.10.2021, in notification No.2/MRB/2021. The petitioner had applied for the above post for which there is 20 percent reservation under the category of PSTM Quota (Persons Studied in Tamil Medium) and as amended by the State Page 3 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.10733 of 2023Government, under the specific PSTM Act, 2010, for those who have studied in tamil language in their primary, secondary and higher secondary schooling till their graduation, are eligible for government services. One of the qualifications prescribed in the notification for the above post was a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine from the University recognized by the University Grants Commission.2.2.It is the contention of the petitioner that a Bachelor’s Degree in Siddha Medicine and Surgery (BSMS) is a degree equivalent to MBBS degree in Medicine and is regulated under Sections 2(h) and 35 of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020, (hereinafter referred as “the NCISM Act”). It is a recognized medical qualification to practice medical profession. It is the contention of the petitioner that the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case Civil Appeal No.4578 of 2021 had observed that the Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery degree is also one among the recognized medical qualifications under Sections 2(h) and 35 of Page 4 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.10733 of 2023the NCISM Act and under Sections 2(f) and 35 of NCH Act, 2020 with the course duration of 5 1/2 years. These degrees also possess full pledged PG courses and PhD courses similar to that of MBBS and are regulated by the concerned National Commissions.2.3.However, the petitioner’s candidature was not considered and in response dated 23.11.2022 to the RTI query, the Public National Officer / Administrative Officer of the Union of India had communicated that the Graduates in Bachelor’s in Siddha Medicine and Surgery is not mentioned in the FSSAI Act and Rules for the qualification of Food Safety Officer. This clarification is not in sync with the clarification letter dated 12.10.2022 of the Director (Regulations), FSSAI.2.4.Meanwhile, the MRB had released a list of cut off marks and the candidates are called for “certificate verification” including the reservation for the post of Food Safety Officer. In this list, the MRB had mentioned that PSTM candidates are not available in the Page 5 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.10733 of 2023BC, MBC & DNC, SC, SCA and ST categories. This act clearly emphasizes the fact that the MRB was not considering the candidature of the students who have obtained Bachelor’s Degree in Siddha Medicine and Surgery for the post of Food Safety Officer.2.5.The petitioner aggrieved by this action had made representation to the MRB, to which, there was no response. The certificate verification is also proposed to be held on 22.02.2023 and 24.02.2023. Since the petitioner who is qualified for the said post has been denied an opportunity to participate in the selection process, the petitioner has filed the above writ petition for the relief stated supra.3.Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.4.It is brought to the notice of this Court that the Co-ordinate Bench of the Madurai Bench of this Court had occasion to Page 6 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.10733 of 2023consider the very same issue in a batch of writ petitions. The learned Judge, after extracting the qualification for the post of Food Safety Officer and considering the provisions of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, and the National Medical Commission Act, 2012, and FSSAI Act and Rules, had observed that the term “medicine” as set out in Rule 2.1.3 of the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011, should be given a wider meaning and would include the Indian System of Medicine. After discussing the Rule 2.1.3 of the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011, the learned Judge, went on to hold that the very Rule is broad and sweepy and virtually declares any science or medical graduate would be eligible to become Food Safety Officer. Ultimately, the learned Judge, had allowed the writ petitions and had directed that the petitioners shall be considered for the post of Food Safety Officer.5.Thereafter, the MRB had taken up this order in an appeal and the Hon’ble Division Bench of this Court, by an order dated 08.10.2025, dismissed the writ appeal and held that the learned Page 7 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.10733 of 2023Single Judge observations with reference to importance and relevance of Siddha Medicine and other medical degrees was spot on. Apart from the above judgment, the Government of India in the Gazette Notification dated 28.03.2025 amended the notification as follows: In the said notification, after paragraph 2, the following paragraph shall be inserted, namely:-“3. The other discipline recognised for the post of Food Safety Officer, shall include the following, namely:-Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery or Bachelor of Dental Surgery or Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery or Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery or Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery or Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery or Bachelor of Sowa Rigpa Medicine and Surgery.”6.Therefore, the equivalence of BSMS to the regular degree of Medicine has been notified. On the conspectus of the above and since the matter has already been considered in detail, this Court is not traversing into the factual matrix of the case.Page 8 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.10733 of 2023Accordingly, the writ petition is allowed as prayed for. No costs.Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions stand closed.10.12.2025Internet : YesIndex : Yes/NoSpeaking order/Non-speaking order ssaTo1.The Member secretaryMedical Service Recruitment Board, Government of Tamilnadu, No. 359, Anna Salai, Chennai - 06.2.The Secretary,Health and Family Welfare Department, St. Fort George, Chennai - 600 009.3.The Union of India,Represented by its Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, R.No. 156A, Nirmal Bhavan, New Delhi - 110011.4.The Secretary,Ministry of Ayush, Ayush Bhavan, B-Block, GPO Complex, INA, New delhi – 110023.5.The Director (regulations),Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, FDA Bhawan, Kolta Road, New Delhi - 110002. Page 9 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.10733 of 2023P.T.ASHA, J.,ssaW.P.No.10733 of 202310.12.2025(9/11)Page 10 of 10