Chennai, August 26: The Governor of Tamil Nadu, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, has approved a 20% quota for candidates who have studied in Tamil medium for government jobs. This law will apply solely to direct recruitment appointments.
Tamil Nadu first implemented this quota through legislation in 2010, reserving 20% of vacancies for eligible Tamil medium candidates. Previously, priority was given to qualified applicants, regardless of their current employment status in government jobs.
However, the Madras High Court later ruled that existing government employees could not claim priority under the Tamil medium category. To clarify this situation and regulate the eligibility of those who joined the workforce after September 7, 2010, the state government introduced an amendment bill in the assembly in January.
With the Governor’s approval, this amendment is now in effect. It clarifies that its provisions will apply only to future recruitments and not to those already appointed. Under the revised law, candidates must have completed their education in Tamil medium from Class 1 up to the required educational qualifications for the position. Merely taking exams in Tamil will not suffice.
Individuals who have used another language as the medium of instruction cannot claim priority, even if they have taken their exams in Tamil. Students who studied in Tamil medium in another state and later continued their education in Tamil Nadu will also be considered eligible, provided they meet the stipulated conditions.
Applicants must submit certificates confirming their Tamil medium education from the relevant institutions for the qualifications required for the position. This amendment aims to eliminate the uncertainty created by the court’s decision, ensure uniform scrutiny of claims, and secure the quota for candidates who have genuinely completed their education in Tamil.
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