The order came after finding that the 20 per cent reservation provided to Tamil medium candidates under the Persons Studied in Tamil Medium (PSTM) Act, 2020, is being applied only at the final stage of selection and not at every stage of selection.

A division bench, comprising Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice B Pugalendhi, granted the interim stay based on a submission that as per the 20 per cent reservation in the selection to the 1,064 posts, 212 were meant for Tamil medium students.

But owing to the reservation being applied at the final stage instead of the viva voce stage, only 34 candidates got posts under PSTM category.

Pointing out that the required number of candidates under 20 per cent for Tamil medium is not available for selection as the reservation was applied at the final stage, the bench said, “Without taking note of the above non-selection of candidates under 20 per cent reservation, the TNUSRB continues with the same pattern. The TNUSRB should have adopted the proven method followed by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, which provides reservation at every stage.” 

“If this process of selection is allowed to proceed, the very purpose of the PSTM Act will be lost and the rights of the students, who studied in Tamil medium, will be violated,’’ the bench led by Justice Kirubakaran said.

Ordering notice to both the State and TNUSRB returnable in four weeks, the bench held, “To safeguard the interest of Tamil medium candidates, the entire selection process under the impugned order is stayed.”