Ravichandran, a 37-year-old law graduate, who completed his law degree in November 2017, has filed a Petition before the Madras High Court challenging the upper age limit set by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, for freshers who intend to apply for recruitment as Civil Judges.
The Commission set 27 years as the upper age limit for fresh law graduates who wish to apply for the position of civil judge, post examination.
The Petitioner now prays the Court to direct the Commission to roll back the current age limit, as it is arbitrary, illegal, and poses a disadvantage to fresh law graduates who are above 27 years.
The Petitioner pointed out that many States have fixed 40 years as the upper age limit for fresh law graduates seeking recruitment as civil judges. Only Tamil Nadu has fixed the 27 years upper age limit for fresh law graduates, and a mandatory 3 years working experience for others.
The Petitioner has also pointed out that the Shetty Commission recommended 35 years as the upper age limit for fresh lawyers seeking recruitment as civil Judges.
In emphasizing the unfairness of the upper age limit, the Petitioner pointed out that rules have stipulated the minimum age limit for those who intend to apply for law courses, but did not fix an upper age limit in certain categories. Thus, fixing an upper age limit for recruitment purposes is illegal.
The Court has directed the Respondents to file their Reply by the 21st of October.
