A degree obtained after completion of high school but without undergoing higher secondary classes should be considered as a valid one for all purposes if graduates were admitted to the degree course on the basis of an entrance examination conducted by a recognised university, the Madras High Court Bench here has held.
Justice D. Hariparanthaman passed the ruling while allowing a writ petition filed by a woman who was denied the benefit of age relaxation accorded to graduates, by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission while filling Group IV posts such as typist for which the qualification required was only a pass in Class X besides possessing technical expertise.
Pointing out that the University Grants Commission Regulations, 1985, permitted admission of students to graduate courses without insisting on completion of higher secondary examination, the judge said that many universities even conducted foundational courses before making such students appear for entrance examination.
Stating that he had passed a similar order in another case in the Principal Seat of the High Court in Chennai, the judge said that the order was followed by another judge too in a case where the petitioner had failed in the higher secondary examination but still managed to obtain a degree through distance education after clearing the entrance examination.
In the present case, the petitioner had claimed to have obtained a degree in Economics from Madurai Kamaraj University after completing Class X and without going to school for higher secondary studies. She had sought a direction to the TNPSC to consider her to be in possession of a valid degree and appoint her in the post of typist without reference to her age.
Hence, the judge directed her to make a fresh representation to the TNPSC which, in turn, was ordered to consider her plea within three weeks in the light of the series of orders passed by the court on the issue.
