Wed Oct 08 09:23:37 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a rewritten version in the style of a news article:
**Summary:**
The Madras High Court has upheld a selection list for Sub-Inspectors of Police and Station Officers in the Fire and Rescue Services Department, prepared under the supervision of a retired Chief Justice. This decision dismisses an appeal by the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board (TNUSRB), which sought to redraw the list due to alleged discrepancies in following reservation rules, particularly regarding in-service candidates and the PSTM (Persons who Studied in Tamil Medium) category. The court found no fault with the former Chief Justice’s meticulous work and ordered the TNUSRB to publish the final selection list and provide additional remuneration to him and the officers who assisted him. The issue arose from challenges to the initial selection list due to improper reservation implementation, leading to multiple revisions and court interventions.
**News Article:**
**Madras High Court Upholds Police Recruitment List, Slaps Down TNUSRB Appeal**
**CHENNAI, October 8, 2025** – The Madras High Court today delivered a decisive blow to the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board (TNUSRB), dismissing its appeal against a selection list for 621 Sub-Inspectors of Police and 129 Station Officers. The list, painstakingly prepared under the supervision of retired Chief Justice N. Paul Vasanthakumar, was deemed accurate and in full compliance with reservation policies.
The Second Division Bench, comprised of Justices R. Suresh Kumar and Hemant Chandangoudar, lauded the former Chief Justice’s “wonderful exercise” in adhering to the 69% reservation rule and relevant Supreme Court judgements. They firmly rejected the TNUSRB’s request to redraw the list yet again, bringing an end to a lengthy and contentious recruitment process.
The controversy began with a notification issued on May 5, 2023, seeking to fill the vacancies. However, the initial provisional selection list, published on January 29, 2024, was immediately challenged in court over alleged violations of reservation policies. The TNUSRB conceded errors and issued a revised list in October 2024, which itself became embroiled in litigation. Justice C.V. Karthikeyan ultimately set aside the revised list in April 2025, citing “grave irregularities” and ordering a complete redraw under the supervision of retired Chief Justice Vasanthakumar.
While the TNUSRB complied with the court’s order, they subsequently filed an appeal, arguing that discrepancies remained, particularly regarding the preference given to in-service candidates in the PSTM category. The court dismissed this argument, citing settled law that PSTM benefits apply only to the first instance of entering State service.
The court ordered the TNUSRB to publish the final selection list based on the retired Chief Justice’s report within 30 days. They also directed the Board to provide additional remuneration of ₹5 lakh to Justice Vasanthakumar and ₹2 lakh each to the two officers who assisted him in the meticulous review process. This decision marks a significant step toward resolving the long-standing recruitment dispute and filling critical vacancies within the Tamil Nadu police and fire services.
First Piper 