In Brief
This batch of appeals concerns the appointment of Secondary Grade Teachers and B.T. Assistants in Tamil Nadu. The State Government relaxed the passing marks in the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) from 60% to 55% for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, and other reserved categories. Unsuccessful candidates challenged this relaxation as arbitrary and as an impermissible mid-process change in selection criteria. The High Court's two benches delivered conflicting decisions. The Supreme Court held that the relaxation was valid under NCTE Guidelines Clause 9, constitutional principles of equality, and the State's reservation policy. The Court ruled that relaxation did not alter basic eligibility criteria and was within State's constitutional powers. The Madurai Bench judgment was set aside and Madras Bench affirmed.
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