Madras High Court
Mr. Balaji Narayan. B vs The Union Of India on 4 February, 2026
Author: M.Dhandapani
Bench: M.Dhandapani
WP No. 2606 of 2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 04-02-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI
WP No. 2606 of 2026
and
WMP Nos. 2829, 2830 and 2831 of 2026
Mr. Balaji Narayan. B
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The Union of India,
Represented by its Director cum Chief Forensic
Scientist,
Directorate of Forensic Sciences Services,
Ministry of Home Affairs -Government of India,
Block No. 9, 8th Floor,
C.G.O. Complex, Lodhi Road,
New Delhi - 110 003.
2. The Union Territory of Puducherry,
Represented by its Chief Secretary cum
Chairman,
Forensic Department Board,
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WP No. 2606 of 2026
Central Secretariat, Goubert Avenue,
Puducherry - 605 001.
3. The Secretary to Government of Puducherry,
The Department of Home,
Chief Secretariat, Goubert Avenue,
Puducherry - 605 001.
4. The Director,
Forensic Science Laboratory - Puducherry,
NH-45 (East Coast Road),
Kirumampakkam Police Station Campus,
Kirumampakkam,Puducherry - 607 403
..Respondent(s)
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India,
praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the entire
records relating to the undated Online Recruitment Notification Published on
28-10-2025 in Pondicherry government website portal 2025 for the post of
Analyst (Scientist)- Physical Science and the subsequent action of Respondent
No. 4 in declaring the Petitioner as not possessing the requisite qualification and
experience and thereby, denying the Petitioner herein an opportunity to
participate in the interview for the post of Analyst (Scientist)- Physical Science
held on 06-01-2026 pursuant to the undated Online Recruitment Notification
Published on 28-10-2025 in Pondicherry government website portal 2025 for
the post of Analyst (Scientist)- Physical Science and quash the same as illegal
and consequently direct the Respondents No. 1 to 4 to treat the Petitioner as
eligible and consider his candidature for the said post in accordance with the
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Recruitment Rules and law in accordance Union of India Recruitment Rules and
Regulations Dated 01-09-2025, within a stipulated time frame to be fixed by
this Court.
For Petitioner(s): Mr.A.M.Kamalanath
for M/s.KS Advocates
For Respondent(s): Ms.Sharadha Vivek
Additional Government Pleader
(Puducherry)
ORDER
This petition has been filed challenging the impugned, undated Online Recruitment Notification published on 28.10.2025 on the Government of Pondicherry’s website portal 2025 for the post of Analyst (Scientist)- Physical Science and the subsequent action of Respondent No. 4 in declaring the Petitioner as not possessing the requisite qualification and experience and thereby, denying the Petitioner herein an opportunity to participate in the interview for the post of Analyst (Scientist)- Physical Science held on 06-01- 2026 pursuant to the undated Online Recruitment Notification Published on 28- 10-2025 in Pondicherry Government website portal 2025 for the post of Analyst (Scientist)- Physical Science and quash the same as illegal and to consequently direct the Respondents No. 1 to 4 to treat the Petitioner as eligible and consider his candidature for the said post in accordance with the Recruitment Rules and __________ Page3 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 13/02/2026 02:50:45 pm ) WP No. 2606 of 2026 the Union of India Recruitment Rules and Regulations dated 01-09-2025, within a stipulated time frame to be fixed by this Court.
2.The case of the petitioner is that he possess Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and Forensic Science, securing Distinction in the year 2016 from the University of Mysore and a Master’s Degree in Forensic Science, securing Distinction in the year 2018 from the University of Mysore. The petitioner also qualified UGC-NET in Forensic Science in the year 2019 and qualified FACT and FACT PLUS in Forensic Document Examination. He has been working in the Forensic Science Laboratory.Puducherry District since 2021. With the above said qualifications, the petitioner had participated in the selection process for the post of “Analyst (Scientist) – Physical Science pursuant to the Recruitment Notification dated 28.10.2025. However, the petitioner’s candidature was rejected on the ground that he did not satisfy the requisite qualifications. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed.
3.The learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that, as per the Recruitment Notification dated 28.10.2025, issued by the 4 th respondent, applications were invited from eligible candidates for Analyst (Scientist)– Physical Science. Though the petitioner has not obtained an __________ Page4 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 13/02/2026 02:50:45 pm ) WP No. 2606 of 2026 undergraduate degree in the relevant subject, he possesses a Master Degree in Forensic Science, in which Forensic Science physics is a core subject. This qualification is a necessary requirement for the said post and is approved by the Directorate of Forensic Science Services, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, the 1st respondent herein, by way of a letter dated 01.09.2025. As per the said letter, the qualification prescribed for the post of Scientist ‘B’ (Physics) includes Master degree in Physics or Applied Physics or Biophysics; or Forensic Science; or Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Technology in (Civil or Electrical or Mechanical or Electronics or Telecommunication or Computer Science or instrumentation) from recognised University or Institute. The said letter further directs the respective authorities to take note of the equivalency and inclusion of the new qualification as per the Recruitment Rules of Forensic Laboratories. Therefore, the petitioner is entitled to be considered for the said post and the rejection of his candidature by the 4 th respondent is unsustainable. Accordingly, he prayed for appropriate orders.
4.Per-contra, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents on instructions would submit that the original notification published on 28.10.2025, prescribed the qualification for the post of Analyst (Scientist)– Physical Science as follows: Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor Technology in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) or Electronics and __________ Page5 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 13/02/2026 02:50:45 pm ) WP No. 2606 of 2026 Communication Engineering (ECE) or Information Technology or Electronics or Electrical and Electronics (EEE) from recognised University or Institute OR Master degree in Computer Science or Electronics or Forensic Science with Physics as one of the subjects during all the three years of Bachelor of Science from recognised University or Institute. As per the original notification, the petitioner has not studied Physics at the undergraduate level and holds only a Bachelor of Arts. Physics is not a subject in his undergraduate course. Though he completed M.Sc Forensic Science, the subject of Forensic physics is not a relevant subject under the notification. The notification requires Physics as a subject throughout all three years of Bachelor of Science from a recognised University. Since the petitioner does not satisfy the educational qualification, his candidature was rightly rejected and the same does not require interference. Accordingly, he prayed for dismissal of the writ petition.
5.Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials on record.
6.The facts of the present case are not in dispute. Admittedly, the petitioner participated in the selection process for the post of Analyst (Scientist)– Physical Science. The educational qualification for the said post, as per the notification, is as follows:
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posts No. 2 Analyst (Scientist) 01 Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor Physical Science Technology in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) or Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) or Information Technology or Electronics or Electrical and Electronics (EEE) from recognised University or Institute OR Master degree in Computer Science or Electronics or Forensic Science with Physics as one of the subjects during all the three years of Bachelor of Science from recognised University or Institute.
Admittedly, the petitioner does not satisfy the undergraduate qualification. However, he claims that he satisfies the required postgraduate qualification. Even in the PG course, Forensic Physics and Audio Video Analysis were studied only in the first semester. Except for the first semester, the petitioner did not study Physics or Forensic Physics in any of the semesters. A perusal of the qualification prescribed for the Master’s Degree reveals that the requirement is a Master’s Degree in Computer Science or Electronics or Forensic Science, with Physics as one of the subjects during all the three years of Bachelor of Science from recognised University or Institute. Since the petitioner does not satisfy the prescribed qualification, his candidature was rightly rejected and does not warrant interference.
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7. In view of the above, the Writ Petition stands dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
04-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No UMA To
1. The Union of India, Represented by its Director cum Chief Forensic Scientist, Directorate of Forensic Sciences Services, Ministry of Home Affairs -Government of India, Block No. 9, 8th Floor, C.G.O. Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110 003.
2. The Union Territory of Puducherry, Represented by its Chief Secretary cum Chairman, Forensic Department Board, Central Secretariat, Goubert Avenue, Puducherry - 605 001.
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3. The Secretary to Government of Puducherry, The Department of Home, Chief Secretariat, Goubert Avenue, Puducherry - 605 001.
4. The Director, Forensic Science Laboratory - Puducherry, NH-45 (East Coast Road), Kirumampakkam Police Station Campus, Kirumampakkam,Puducherry - 607 403 __________ Page9 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 13/02/2026 02:50:45 pm ) WP No. 2606 of 2026 M.DHANDAPANI J.
UMA WP No. 2606 of 2026 and WMP Nos. 2829, 2830 & 2831 of 2026 04-02-2026 __________ Page10 of 10 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 13/02/2026 02:50:45 pm )