High Court · 2025

W.P(MD)No.26427 of 2025 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURTDATED: 05.11.2025CORAMTHE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE P.T.ASHAWrit Petition(MD)No.26427 of 2025and W.M.P(MD).Nos.20522 and 20520 of 2025The Tamil Nadu Commerce Institutes Association,rep., by its Liaison Officer,16/20a, Nandhi Kovil Street,Trichy 620 002. .. Petitioner Vs1.The Secretary to the Government Department of Higher Education, Fort St., George, Chennai -09.2.The Director, Directorate of Technical Education, Guindy, Chennai 600 025. ..RespondentsPrayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records comprised in Circular No.DOTE/194/2025-RO2 dated 10.03.2025 consequential Circular No.DOTE/194/2025-RO2 dated 18.04.2025 consequential Circular No.DOTE/194/2025-RO2 dated 26.04.2025 and consequential Circular No.DOTE/194/2025-RO2 dated 23.06.2025 issued by the second respondent and quash the same as arbitrary and illegal and 1/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.26427 of 2025consequently direct the respondents to consider the petitioner's representations dated 19.04.2025, 14.05.2025, 18.07.2025 and 28.08.2025 and provide a transition period of 10 years for complete switchover to evaluation of typewriting certificate examination conducted by the second respondent entirely through computers. For Petitioner : Mr.Raguvaran Gopalan For Respondents : Mr.Ajmal Khan Additional Advocate General assisted by Mr.P.T.Thiravaiyam Government Advocate ORDERThe transition into the digital world is unsettling several industries and even the way of life. The instant writ petition is one such case, where the reliable manual typewriter is sought to be replaced by computers. In addition, the vernacular language used in computer is also sought to be changed in order to make it compatible with the digital world. 2. The facts are briefly set out hereinbelow:(i)The petitioner, which is the association representing the Commerce Institute of Tamil Nadu, which is formed in the year 1970, seeks to espouse the case of the commerce Institutes, which are threatened by virtue of the proposed reformation. These Institutes teach typewriting, shorthand, accountancy and Computer of Office Automation. 2/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.26427 of 2025(ii)The petitioner would submit that typewriting, shorthand and accountancy subjects are being taught in Tamil Nadu for several decades. Originally, the exams were conducted by the Directorate of School Education / second respondent herein till the year 1970 and thereafter, the Directorate of Technical Education (DOTE) has taken over its conduct. The exams are conducted twice a year in February and August. In the State of Tamil Nadu alone, there are about 4 lakh candidates appeared for typewriting and shorthand exam etc., every year. (iii)In the late 90's, the second respondent introduced Computer on Office Automation (COA ) course and this course is being taught by the commerce Institute and exams were also conducted for this course twice a year. (iv)The second respondent conducts certificate exams in typewriting (English and Tamil) for junior and senior grades, shorthand and Computer on Office Automation courses. The basic qualification prescribed for enrolling in the typewriting course is the successful completion of 8th standard in school. In respect of the Computer on Office Automation course, the basic qualification is SSLC pass certificate and pass either in the junior or senior grade typewriting examination conducted by the second respondent. By reason of this, 3/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.26427 of 2025typewriting was stated as foundational course for Computer on Office Automation course.(v)While so, on 28.10.2024, the first respondent through G.O.MS.No.187 has amended the Rules governing the conduct of Computer on Office Automation course and the manner of certification for the same. The first respondent had recommended amending the Rules as the Tamilnadu State and Subordinate Services Examinations treat Typewriting and COA courses as a single certificate course in their qualification requirement. Therefore, the amended Rules for COA had done away with the requirement of the certificate in junior or senior grade in typewriting as a prerequisite for enrolment in COA and had introduced the typewriting component in COA syllabus. This decision has been taken without consulting the stakeholders. 3.One of the fallouts of the above amended Rules is that the persons who are proficient in COA may not be proficient in typewriting. It is the contention of the petitioner that by reason of this amendment, a candidate scoring high marks in theory and practical aspects of COA would still lack typing skill. Further, the petitioner would submit that the respondents are seeking to introduce the Tamil-99 keyboard layout and script software as the approved 4/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.26427 of 2025mode of typing in Tamil through the impugned circulars. The circular would read that this Tamil-99 keyboard would be the approved mode of typing Tamil and all certifying examinations would be conducted by using this keyboard. The petitioner would submit that introduction of the above changes have caused considerable concern among the Institutes and students. Prior to the impugned circulars, the Typewriting and Commerce Institutes were governed by the Government Order issued in the year 1995. By reason of this impugned circular, the time tested mode is sought to be changed.4.The petitioner would submit that this transition cannot be done all of a sudden and it has to be done in a phased manner. The Institutes have to first become familiar with this, so as to enable them to impart education to the candidates. Therefore aggrieved by the impugned circular, the petitioner has come forward with the writ petition for the relief stated supra. 5.A counter has been filed by the second respondent. The second respondent would submit that the circulars have been published based on the Government policy decision. This decision has been arrived at after various review meetings held by the Human Resources Management and Department and the Tamilnadu Public Service Commission, the Tamil Virtual Academy and 5/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.26427 of 2025with heads of all concerned Departments. This was further reviewed by a Committee consisting of six IAS officers as Chairman, Board of Examinations (BoE), 12 filed and subject experts (including stakeholders), 11 Examination Officials through the powers vested by the Chairman of BoE. They had revised the Rules and Regulations for the curriculum and syllabus of the various courses that are being conducted by the second respondent. Earlier the revision to the mode of examination was challenged by the petitioner and other Associations and the same has been turned down granting some more time for transition. 6.The respondent would further submit that most of the Government Institutions, similarly placed Institutions, Colleges, the Revenue Recruitment Board, Staff Selection Commission etc., have embraced the new style of typing and therefore, the apprehension expressed by the petitioner is absolutely unfounded. 7.Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials placed on record.6/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.26427 of 20258.It is an admitted fact that the typewriter has given away to the digital equipment, though the same is still being used in certain places. The apprehension of the petitioner Association that an abrupt halt of typewriters would encounter problems cannot be brushed aside. However, Mr.Ajmal Khan, learned Additional Advocate General, would submit that it is only in the year 2028, the proposal to do away with typewriters fully would come into effect, infact the proposal to slowly ease out typewriters had been taken as early as in the year 2020 and the petitioner Association acknowledging the same has sought to submit an explanation for this proposal. The submission of the learned Additional Advocate General would clarify that the members of the petitioner Association are being given sufficient time for transition from typewriters to computer keyboards.9.The second point, which has caused considerable concern, is the change of the Tamil script. This requires more deliberation particularly with the stakeholders, who are the persons imparting the language to the students, who in turn have to be trained. 10.Therefore, I dispose of this writ petition with a direction to the second respondent to consider the representation given by the petitioner Association 7/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.26427 of 2025and other similarly placed Associations, hear the objections of all concerned and afford an opportunity to them to discuss with the expert committee and to take a collective decision thereafter. The second respondent is directed to consider the representation given by the petitioner in the lines stated supra and pass orders within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 05.11.2025NCC : Yes/NoIndex : Yes/NoInternet:YesRmkTo1.The Secretary to the Government Department of Higher Education, Fort St., George, Chennai -09.2.The Director, Directorate of Technical Education, Guindy, Chennai 600 025.8/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.26427 of 2025P.T.ASHA, J. Rmk Writ Petition(MD)No.26427 of 2025 05.11.20259/9