As per case facts, the Petitioner applied for the post of Assistant Professor (Zoology) but exceeded the prescribed age limit. His initial request for age relaxation was rejected, and a ...
No Acts & Articles mentioned in this case
TRHC010016592025
2026:THC:1277
HIGH COURT OF TRIPURA
AGARTALA
WP(C) No. 583 of 2025
Dr. Ramananda Ghosh Tarafdar,
S/O: Sri Ranendranath Ghosh Tarafdar,
R/O: Vill: Vidyanagar, P.O: Kirtantali,
P.S: Kailashahar, Dist: Unokoti, PIN: 799279.
---- Petitioner(s)
Versus
1. The State of Tripura,
Represented by its Secretary,
Department of Higher Education,
Govt. of Tripura, New Secretariat Building,
P.O: Secretariat, P.S: New Capital Complex,
Dist: West Tripura, PIN: 799010.
2. The Director,
Department of Higher Education,
Govt. of Tripura, Office Lane, P.O: Agartala,
P.S: West Agartala, Dist: West Tripura, PIN: 799001.
3. The Joint Director,
Department of Higher Education,
Govt. of Tripura, Office Lane, P.O: Agartala,
P.S: West Agartala, Dist: West Tripura, PIN: 799001.
4. Tripura Public Service Commission,
Represented by its Secretary, Akhaura Road,
P.O: Agartala, P.S: West Agartala, Dist: West Tripura,
PIN; 799001.
5. The Controller of Examinations,
Tripura Public Service Commission,
Akhaura Road, P.S:West Agartala,
P.O:Agartala, Dist: West Tripura, Pin:799001.
6. The Under secretary,
Tripura Public Service Commission,
Akhaura Road, P.O:Agartala, P.S: West Agartala,
Dist: West Tripura, Pin:799001.
7. The Secretary,
General Adminitration (P&T) Department,
Govt. Of Tripura, New Secretariat Building,
P.O: Secretariat, P.S:New Capital Complex,
Dist: West Tripura, Pin:799010.
Page 2 of 24
---- Respondent(s)
For Petitioner(s) : Mr. Arijit Bhoumik, Adv.
Ms. Ishpa Chakma, Adv.
Ms. Priy anka Chakraborty, Adv.
For Respondent(s) : Mr. Kohinoor N. Bhattacharyya, GA.
Mr. Kundan Pandey, Adv.
Date of hearing : 07.09.2026
Date of delivery of judgment : 14.09.2026
Whether fit for reporting : Yes
HON’BLE MR . JUSTICE BISWAJIT PALIT
Judgment & Order
The petitioner has filed this present writ petition seeking
the following reliefs:-
i. Issue Notice upon the Respondents.
ii. Call for the records.
iii. Issue Rule calling upon the Respondents
to show cause as to why the Petitioner s hall not
be granted one time age relaxation for
participation in the selection process Vide Advt.
No. 5/2025 for the post of Asst. Professor
(Zoology subject).
AND
Issue Rule calling upon the Respondents
to show cause as to why the Notification dated
7th March, 2025 issued by TPSC truncating the
right of age relaxation for certain
subjects/disciplines shall not be set aside and
quashed,
AND
Issue Rule calling upon the Respondents
to show cause as to why the communication
dated 25th March, 2025 whereby the
Respondents rejected the prayer of the
Petitioner for granting age relaxation shall not
be set aside and quashed.
iv. And after hearing the parties be pleased
to make the Rule absolute.
Page 3 of 24
AND/OR
Pass any other order/orders as deemed
fit and proper.
AND
For this act of kindness your humble
Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever remain
grateful.”
2. Heard Learned Counsel Mr. Arijit Bhaumik, appearing on
behalf of the petitioner also heard Learned Government Advocate
Mr. Kohinoor N Bhattacharyya, appearing on behalf of the State
respondents and Learned Counsel Mr. Kundan Pandy, appearing on
behalf of the TPSC.
3. It is the case of the petitioner that, against an
advertisement vide No.05/ 2025, the petitioner applied for
appointment to the post of Assistant Professor in Zoology, Group-A
Gazetted, in the Government (General) Degree Colleges. In the
said advertisement, cut-off date was fixed on 40 years as on
07.03.2025. According to petitioner, as on the cut-off date, i.e.,
07.03.2025, the petitioner was aged 40 years and 6 days.
4. It was further submitted that, by a subsequent notification
dated 06.03.2025, the last date for submission of the online
application was extended up to 07.03.2025 (5.30 PM), and the last
date for receipt of all necessary documents (hard copy) was
extended till 17.03.2025 ( Annexure-2).
5. It was further submitted that , as the petitioner had
exceeded the age of 40 years as on the cut-off date, so he
submitted a representation (Annexure-5) seeking consideration of
Page 4 of 24
relaxation of the upper age limit for appointment to the post of
Assistant Professor against the said A dvertisement vide
No.05/2025. But, as no action was taken on the said
representation, the petitioner approached this Court by filing a writ
petition, which was registered as WP(C) No.139/2025. The said
writ petition was, however, dismissed by a Coordinate B ench of
this Court by judgment and order dated 28.04.2025.
6. Thereafter, the petitioner preferred an appeal, being WA
No. 62/2025. In the said appeal, a direction was issued to the
petitioner to submit a representation in the light of notification
dated 10.03.2025. However, the said representation was also not
considered. Subsequently, in compliance with the judgment and
order passed by the Hon’ble Division Bench, the petitioner
submitted a further representation (Annexure-10). However, the
TPSC, by communication dated 25.08.2025 (Annexure -11),
rejected the petitioner’s representation seeking acceptance of his
candidature on the ground that he had crossed the upper age limit
of 40 years as on the cut-off date.
7. At the time of hearing, Learned Counsel for the petitioner
drawn the attention of the Court to the fact that the petitioner had
applied for the post of Zoology pursuant to the TPSC notification
dated 10.03.2025 (Annexure-7), whereby one-time age relaxation
was granted. Learned Counsel also drawn the attention of the
Court to the memorandum dated 20.08.2025 (Annexure -8),
wherein the GA (P&T) Department, under Clause 4, granted
Page 5 of 24
exemption from participating in the fresh recruitment process,
subject to the petitioner furnishing documentary evidence in
support of his claim for age relaxation.
8. It was also submitted that a similar advertisement had
been issued in the year 2022; however, at that time, the petitioner
was below 40 years of age and, therefore, no age relaxation was
required. Although, the petitioner had appeared in the selection
test pursuant to the said advertisement of 2022, but was
unsuccessful. It was, accordingly, submitted that the benefit of the
notification dated 10.03.2025 (Annexure-7) be extended to the
petitioner in respect of the recruitment process initiated pursuant
to Advertisement No. 05/2025.
9. It was further submitted that the TPSC, by another
notification dated 07.03.2025, had granted age relaxation in
respect of candidates applying for the posts of Sanskrit,
Commerce, etc. However, no such relaxation was extended to the
applicants for the post of Zoology. Consequently, the petitioner has
been deprived of the benefit of the a ge relaxation granted
pursuant to the notification dated 10.03.2025 (Annexure-7).
10. It was also submitted that initially, an advertisement was
issued in the year 2017, which was subsequently cancelled.
Thereafter, the GA (P&T) Department, by memorandum -cum-
notification dated 20.08.2018 (Annexure -8), granted age
relaxation to the eligible candidates. The petitioner is also covered
Page 6 of 24
by the said memorandum -cum-notification issued by the GA (P&T)
Department, Government of Tripura.
11. It was further submitted that, during the year 2022, age
relaxation was granted in respect of the subjects of Sanskrit,
Zoology and Commerce. However, since the petitioner was not in
need of any age relaxation at that time, being below the prescribed
age limit, he did not avail the said benefit under the said scheme.
Learned Counsel, therefore, urged that the respondent TPSC be
directed to consider and extend the benefit of age relaxation to the
petitioner in respect of the said post pursuant to Advertisement
No. 05/2025.
Finally, Learned Counsel, Mr. Bhaumik, submitted that the
notification of the GA (P&T) Department, i.e. Annexure-8, supports
the case of the petitioner. He, accordingly, urged before the Court
that the writ petition be allowed.
12. The State respondents have filed a counter affidavit. In
paragraph 7 of the said counter affidavit, it has been stated as
under:
“7. That, in response to the contents of
paragraphs-5 & 6 of the writ petition, the
answering respondents state that the
Commission published as advertisement vide
Advt. 19/2017 dated 26 -09-2017 for the post
of Assistant Professor, Govt. (General) Degree
College including Zoology subject, which was
cancelled on the basis of Memo vide No. F. 20
(1)GA(P&T)/18 DATD 20 -08-2018 issued by GA
(P&T) Department, Govt. o f Tripura wherein it
is mentioned that candidate intending to avail
one time age relaxation have to submit
documentary evidence of their participation in
Advertisement No.19/2017 dated 26 -09-2017
Page 7 of 24
for the Assistant Professor, Govt. of Degree
College. As per Memo dated 20 -08-2018 it is
categorically mentioned that "as regards to the
candidate who had participated in the cancelled
recruitment process, they are to be given one
time relaxation in upper age limit to enable
them to participate one in the fresh
recruitment process subject to providing
documentary evidence of their participation in
the earlier process for the same post(s)"
Therefore, the commission floated
an advertisement vide Advt. 08/2022 dated 24 -
03-2022 for Assistant Professor, Govt.
(General) Degree College including Zoology
subject and then a Notification dated 26 -04-
2022 for giving One time relaxation in upper
age limit in the recruitment process of
Assistant Professor in Govt. (General) Degree
College including Zoology subject in pursuance
of Memo. No F.20(1)/GA(P&T)/18 dated 20 -
08-2018. In the recruitment process vide Advt.
08/2022, the petitioner also participated in the
same recruitment process.
Subsequently, the commission
floated an advertisement vide Advt.05/2025
dated 30-01-2025 for Ass istant Professor,
Govt. (General) Degree College and then to two
Notifications dated 07-03-2025 & 10-03-2025
for giving one time relaxation in upper age
limit for the subjects of Philosophy, Sanskrit,
Economics, Psychology, Physics, Chemistry,
Statistics, Commerce, ETCE & Environment
Science in the fresh recruitment process of
Assistant Professor vide Advt. No.05/2025 in
pursuance of Memo No.F.20(1)/GA(P&T)/18
dated 20-08-2018 in which Zoology subject
was not included because one time relaxation
in upper age limit for Zoology subject already
given vide Notification dated 26 -04-2022 in
connection with the Advt. 08/2022 for the post
of Assistant Professor. It is pertinent to
mentioned here that the copies of the
Advt.05/2025 and Notification dated 07 -03-
2025 & 10-03-2025 are annexed as Annexure -
1, 7 & 12 in the writ petition. As per the memo.
of GA (P&T) Department dated 20 -08-2018 and
the commission's Notification dated 07 -03-
2025 & 10-03-2025, the petitioner is not
entitled to get the benefit of age relaxatio n in
the ongoing recruitment process vide Advt.
No.05/2025, because, following the
cancellation of the recruitment process related
to Advertisement No.19/2017 for Zoology
subject, the onetime relaxation in upper age
limit already given vide Notification da ted 26-
04-2022 in connection with the Advt. 08/2022
for the post of Assistant Professor. The one
time relaxation in upper age limit mentioned in
Page 8 of 24
the Memo a one time basis and the No.
F.20(1)/GA(P& T)/18 dated 20 -08-2018 is
applicable strictly on petitioner cannot claim
one time age relaxation as and when he desires
or as per convenience. Therefore, the
allegation of the petitioner is not maintainable
and strongly denied.
Copies of the Advt. No.19/2017,
copy of the cancelled Notification dated 02 -01-
2019, copy of the Advt. No.08/2022, copy of
the Notification dated 26-04-2022 and copy of
the application of the petitioner applied in the
Advt. No.08/2022 are annexed hereto and
respectively marked as Annexure -
R/1,R/2,R/3,R/4 & R/5.”
Referring to the aforesaid a verments, Learned GA
submitted that, since the petitioner has failed to make out any
case in his favour, the present writ petition is liable to be
dismissed.
13. The respondents TPSC has also filed a counter affidavit. In
paragraphs 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 13 thereof, the said respondent has
asserted as under:
“5. That the answering respondents state
that the Commission published an
advertisement vide Advt. 19/2017 dated
26.09.2017 for the post of Assistant Professor,
Govt. (General) Degree College including
Zoology subject, which was cancelled on the
basis of Memo vide No.F.20(1)/GA(P&T)/18
dated 20.08.2018 issued by GA (P&T)
Department, Govt. of Tripura wherein it is
mentioned that candidate intending to avail
one time age relaxation have to submit
documentary evidence of their participation in
Advertisement No.19/2017 date 26.09.2017 for
the Assistant Professor, Govt. Degree College.
As per Memo dated 20.08.2018 it is
categorically mentioned that " as regards to the
candidate who had participated in the cancelled
recruitment process, they are to be given one
time relaxation in upper age limit to enable
them to participate once in the fresh
recruitment process subject to providing
documentary evidence of their participation in
the earlier process for the same pos t(s)."
Page 9 of 24
Thereafter, the Commission floated an
advertisement vide Advt. 08/2022 dated
24.03.2022 for Assistant Professor, Govt.
(General) Degree College including Zoology
subject and then a Notification dated
26.04.2022 for giving one time relaxation in
upper age limit in the recruitment process of
Assistant Professor in Govt. General Degree
College including Zoology subject in pursuance
of Memo No.F.20(1)/GA(P&T)/18 dated
20.08.2018. In the recruitment process vide
Advt. 08/2022, the petitioner also particip ated
in the same recruitment process.
Subsequently, the Commission floated an
advertisement vide Advt. 05/2025 dated
30.01.2025 for Assistant Professor, Govt.
(General) Degree College and then two
Notifications dated 07.03.2025 & 10.03.2025
for giving one time relaxation in upper age
limit for the subjects of Philosophy, Sanskrit,
Economics, Psychology, Physics, Chemistry,
Statistics, Commerce, ETCE & Environment
Science in the fresh recruitment process of
Assistant Professor vide Advt. No.05/2025 in
pursuance of Memo No.F.20(1)/GA(P&T)/18
dated 20.08.2018 in which Zoology subject was
not included because one time relaxation in
upper age limit for Zoology subject already
given vide Notification dated 26.04.2022 in
connection with the Advt. 08/2022 for the po st
of Assistant Professor. It is pertinent to
mention here that the copies of the Advt.
05/2025 and Notification dated 07.03.2025 &
10.03.2025 are annexed as Annexure -1, 7 & 12
in the writ petition. As per the Memo of GA
(P&T) Department dated 20.08.2018 a nd the
Commission's Notifications dated 07.03.2025 &
10.03.2025, the petitioner is not entitled to get
the benefit of age relaxation in the ongoing
recruitment process vide Advt. No.05/2025,
because, following the cancellation of the
recruitment process re lated to Advertisement
No.19/2017 for Zoology subject, the one -time
relaxation in upper age limit already given vide
Notification dated 26.04.2022 in connection
with the Advt. 08/2022 for the post of
Assistant Professor. The one -time relaxation in
upper age limit mentioned in the Memo
No.F.20(1)/GA(P&T)18 dated 20.08 2018 is
applicable strictly on a one-time basis and the
petitioner cannot claim one time age relaxation
as and when he desires or as per convenience.
Therefore, the allegation of the petitioner is not
maintainable and strongly denied.
Copies of the Advt. No. 19/2017, copy of
the cancelled Notification dated 02.01.2019,
copy of the Advt. No. 08/2022, copy of the
Notification dated 26.04.2022 and copy of the
Page 10 of 24
application of the petitioner applied i n the
Advt. No. 08/2022 are annexed hereto and
respectively marked as Annexure -R/1, R/2,
R/3, R/4 & R/5.
6. That the respondents most humbly state
that the General Administration (Personnel &
Training) Department, Govt. of Tripura issued a
Memorandum date d 20.08.2018 whereby in
paragraph No.4 it was mentioned as follows: -
"4. As regards the candidates who
had participated in the cancelled
recruitment process, they are to be
given one time relaxation in upper
age limit to enable them to
participate once in the fresh
recruitment process subject to
providing documentary evidence of
their participation in the earlier
recruitment processes for the same
post(s)."
So, as per the Memorandum dated
20.08.2018 issued by General Administration
(Personnel & Training) De partment, Govt. of
Tripura it was specifically, mentioned that one
time age relaxation would be given against
cancelled recruitment process. In the present
case one-time age relaxation for the post of
Assistant Professor in Zoology subject have
already bee n given in the subsequent
Advertisement No.08/2022. So, it is crystal
clear that the writ petitioner is not entitled to
get any further age relaxation as prayed in the
writ petition. Moreover, the present writ
petition is itself not maintainable in the eye of
law and as such the present writ petition is
liable to be dismissed.
A copy of the Memorandum dated
20.08.2018 issued by General Administration
(Personnel & Training) Department, Govt. of
Tripura is annexed hereto and marked as
Annexure-R/6.
8. That with reference to the statements
made in paragraph No.9 of the writ petition,
the answering respondent states that as far as
fixing the cut of date for calculating the age
which was 07.03.2025 is concerned if it is
otherwise mentioned in the
requisition/Recruitment Rules/ Service Rules,
the Commission norms is to keep almost in all
the advertisement calculate the upper age limit
as on the closing date as mentioned in the
published advertisement. It is also to be
mentioned that the petitioner applied in earli er
advertisement vide Advt. No. 08/2022 for the
post of Asstt. Professor in Zoology subject
Page 11 of 24
where the upper age was calculated on the
closing date of the said advertisement. Now the
petitioner stated that to determine the upper
age limit of the petitioner as on the date of the
publication of advertisement. The Petitioner
during the recruitment process in respect of
Advt. No. 08/2022 submitted his application
where the closing date was the date of
calculation of age and he did not raise any
objection at that time. In that instant case the
petitioner is trying to determine the date of
calculation of age as per his wish and trying to
dictated/overcool the Commission's norms of
calculation of the age on the closing date.
Therefore, the allegation of the petitioner is not
maintainable and strongly denied.
A copy of the requisition letter along with
Recruitment Rules for Advt. No. 05/2025 is
annexed hereto and marked as Annexure -R/7.
9. That with reference to the statements
made in paragraph No.12 & 13 of the writ
petition, the answering respondent states that
in response of the representation dated
24.07.2025, the Commission re -examine the
matter and rejected the prayer of the petitioner
as per the Memo of GA (P&T) Department
dated 20.08.2018 and the Commission's
Notification dated 07.03.2025 & 10.03.2025,
the petitioner is not entitled to get the benefit
of age relaxation in the ongoing recruitment
process vide Advt. No. 05/2025, because,
following the cancellation of the recruitment
process related to Advertiseme nt No. 19/2017
for Zoology subject, the one -time relaxation in
upper age limit already given vide Notification
dated 26.04.2022 in connection with the Advt.
08/2022 for the post of Assistant Professor.
The one-time relaxation in upper age limit
mentioned i n the Memo
No.F.20(1)/GA(P&T)/18 dated 20.08.2018 is
applicable strictly on a one -time basis.
Therefore, the allegation of the petitioner is not
maintainable and strongly denied vide letter
No.F.No.8(1-4)-LEG/HC-372/TPSC/2025 -825
dated 25.08.2025.
10. That with reference to the statements
made in paragraph No.15 of the writ petition,
the answering respondent denies that all
candidates who participated in the cancelled
selection process are entitled to age relaxation
for once on submission of documentary
evidence of participation in the cancelled
selection process. The respondents state that
one-time relaxation in upper age limit
mentioned in the Memo
No.F.20(1)/GA(P&T)/18 dated 20.08.2018 is
applicable strictly on a one-time basis and the
Page 12 of 24
said relaxation have been already given vide
Advt. No.08/2022 dated 24.03.2022 for
Assistant Professor, Govt. (General) Degree
College including Zoology subject, so now the
petitioner cannot claim age relaxation on the
basis of Memo dated 20.08.2018 or Notification
dated 10.03.2025 issued by TPSC.
13. That with reference to the statements
made in paragraph No.18, 19 & 20 of the writ
petition, the answering respondent states that
the petitioner is not entitled to get the benefit
of age relaxation in the ongoing recruitment
process vide Advt. No. 05/2025, because,
following the cancellation of the recruitment
process related to Advertisement No. 19/2017
for Zoology subject, the one -time relaxation in
upper age limit already given vide Notification
dated 26.04.2022 in connectio n with the Advt.
08/2022 for the post of Assistant Professor.
The one-time relaxation in upper age limit
mentioned in the Memo
No.F.20(1)/GA(P&T)/18 dated 20.08.2018 is
applicable strictly on a one -time basis.
Therefore, the allegation of the petitioner is not
maintainable and the claim of the petitioner
was rejected by issuance of the letter
No.F.No.8(1-4) LEG/HC -372/TPSC/2025 -825
dated 25.08.2025.”
14. However, at the time of hearing, Learned Counsel, Mr.
Pandey, appearing on behalf of the respondent -TPSC, drawn the
attention of the Court to the fact that an advertisement had been
issued by the TPSC in the year 2017, which was subsequently
cancelled. He further submitted that the GA (P&T) Department,
Government of Tripura, vide notification dated 20.08.20 18
(Annexure-8), had already granted one -time age relaxation in
respect of the candidates covered by the said notification.
15. He further submitted that the petitioner had thereafter
applied for the post of Zoology pursuant to the advertisement
issued in the year 2022, but was unsuccessful in the selection
process. Therefore, according to Learned Counsel, the petitioner
Page 13 of 24
cannot claim the benefit of age relaxation indefinitely under the
notification dated 20.08.2018 (Annexure-8).
16. It was further submitted that, in the year 2017, the TPSC
had issued an advertisement inviting online applications for various
subjects, including the post of Zoology. However, the said
advertisement was subsequently cancelled for certain reasons.
Thereafter, in the year 2022, another advertisement was issued
inviting online applications for the post of Zoology along with other
subjects.
Learned Counsel thereafter submitted that the TPSC, by its
subsequent notification dated 26.04.2022 (Annexure-R/4), granted
age relaxation in respect of the post of Sanskrit only, for
candidates belonging to the SC and UR categories, as
Advertisement No. 01/21 did not contain any posts under the SC
and UR categories.
17. In respect of Zoology, he further submitted that the TPSC
had also granted age relaxation only to candidates belonging to the
UR category pursuant to Advertisement No. 01/2021, as the said
advertisement did not contain any post under the UR category. In
respect of Commerce, he submitted that the TPSC had also
granted age relaxation only to candidates belonging to the SC
category, as Advertisement No. 01/2021 did not contain any post
under the SC category.
18. Now, referring to the memorandum dated 07.03.2025
(Annexure-12), he further drawn the attention of the Court to the
Page 14 of 24
fact that the TPSC, by the said memorandum, had granted age
relaxation in respect of the post of Sanskrit only to candidates
belonging to the SC category, as Advertisement No. 01/2021 and
Advertisement No. 08/2022 did not contain any post under the SC
category. Similarly, in respect of Commerce, age relaxation was
granted only to candidates belonging to the SC category, as
Advertisement No. 01/2021 and Advertisement No. 08/2022 did
not contain any post under the SC category.
19. According to Learned Counsel, since there was no scope
for granting any further age relaxation in respect of the post of
Zoology, so no such exemption was granted by the TPSC this time.
He further submitted that the present petitioner is neither eligible
nor entitled to claim any further age relaxation on the ground that
he is entitled to such relaxation against Advertisement No.
05/2025, particularly after the one-time age relaxation granted by
the GA (P&T) Department in respect of the recruitment pursuant to
the advertisement issued in the year 2022.
20. It was further submitted that, in this regard, a Coordinate
Bench of this Court had dismissed the writ petition filed by the
petitioner on the ground that the matter involved a policy decision,
which was subsequently affirmed by the Division Bench in W.A. No.
62/2025. However, liberty was granted to the petitioner to submit
a representation before the TPSC. Accordingly, the petitioner
submitted a representation, which was duly considered by the
TPSC. Thereafter, by order dated 25.08.2025 (Anne xure-11), as
Page 15 of 24
relied upon by the petitioner, the TPSC rejected his claim. Learned
Counsel, therefore, submitted that nothing further survives for
adjudication in the present writ petition and prayed for dismissal of
the same.
21. Heard Learned Counsel appearing for both the parties and
perused the writ petition, the documents annexed thereto, and the
counter affidavits filed by the respondents.
22. Admittedly, the petitioner applied for the post of Zoology
pursuant to Advertisement No. 05/2025. It is also an admitted
position that, as on the cut-off date, i.e. 07.03.2025, the petitioner
was above 40 years of age. He, therefore, submitted a
representation seeking age relaxation; however, the same was not
considered by the concerned authority.
It is also an admitted position that, seeking age relaxation,
the petitioner had earlier filed a writ petition, being W.P.(C) No.
139 of 2025, which came to be dismissed by judgment dated
28.04.2025. For the sake of convenience, the relevant paragraph
12 of the said judgment is reproduced hereinbelow:
“[12] Challenges to the decisions relied
on by Mr. Datta, learned counsel as made by
Mr. Roy Barman, learned senior counsel that in
those cases the Recruitment Rules itself
mentioned as to how the cut -off date for
determination of age was to be calculated and
therefore same are not applicable in the instant
case. But as in the instant Recruitment Rules,
as indicated earlier, same is not mentioned,
therefore, the selecting authority i.e. the TPSC
was obliged to fix such date fo r due
implementation of the said clause of age limit
as available in the Recruitment Rules.
Page 16 of 24
Considering all these aspects, the Court
finds no merit in the writ petition and
accordingly, the same is dismissed.
Pending application(s), if any, shall also
stand disposed of.”
23. Aggrieved by the aforesaid judgment, the petitioner
preferred an appeal before the Learned Division Bench. The
Learned Division Bench, by judgment and order dated 22.07.2025
passed in W.A. No. 62/2025, disposed of the said appeal. The
operative portion of the order of the Learned Division Bench, as
contained in paragraph 5 thereof, reads as follows:
“[5] In view of the above submissions,
since the Notification dated 10 March, 2025
was not filed along with the writ papers and
the said notification indicates some kind of age
relaxation and the representation which was
made by the appellant on 03.03.2025 is also
pending consideration, this Court finds that the
matter needs re -examination. Accordingly,
without going into the merits of the case, this
writ appeal is disposed of directing the
concerned respondent i.e. respondent No.4
(Secretary, TPSC) to consider the case of the
appellant in the light of his representation
dated 03.03.2025 and the aforesaid
Notification dated 10th March, 2025 issued by
the TPSC within 15(fifteen) days from today.
The appellant is also at liberty to make any
further representation along with all his
relevant documents within 3(three) days from
today, and in that case, on receipt of the same,
the respondent No.4, i.e. the Secretary, TPSC
shall decide the case of the appellant within 15
days from the date of such receipt.”
24. Thereafter, the petitioner submitted a representation dated
24.07.2025 (Annexure-10), which was considered and rejected by
the TPSC by communication dated 25.08.2025 (Annexure-11). The
contents of the said communication dated 25.08.2025 read as
follows:
Page 17 of 24
TRIPURA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
AGARTALA
F.No.8(1-4)-LEG/HC-372/TPSC/2025-825 Dated, the 25
th
August, 2025
To,
Dr. Ramananda Ghosh Tarafdar,
Vill-Vidyanagar, P.O- Kirtantali,
Kailashahar, Unakoti Tripura,
Pin-799279, Mail Id:- ramananda.kls@gmail.com
Subject:- Prayer for accepting by
candidature for the post of Assistant
Professor in Zoology vide Advt. No.
05/2025, 30.01.2025 by granting one
time age relaxation as per the
Notification dated 10.03.2025 and the
Judgment and order dated 22.07.2025
passed in W.A. No. 62/2025 by the
Hon'ble High Court of Tripura.
Sir,
I am directed to refer to the subject
cited above and to inform you that an
advertisement vide Advt. 19/2017 dated
26.09.2017 for the post of Assistant Professor,
Govt. (General) Degree College including
Zoology subject was floated by the
Commission, which was cancelled on the basis
of Memo vide No.F.20(1)/GA(P&T)/18 d ated
20.08.2018 issued by GA (P&T) Department,
Govt. of Tripura wherein it is mentioned that
candidate intending to avail one time age
relaxation have to submit documentary
evidence either participation in Advertisement
No. 19/2017 date 26.09.2017 for the Assistant
Professor, Govt. Degree College. As per Memo
dated 20.08.2018 it is categorically mentioned
that "as regards to the candidate who had
participated in the cancelled recruitment
process, they are to be given one time
relaxation in upper age limit to enable them to
participate once in the fresh recruitment
process subject to providing documentary
evidence of their participation in the earlier
process for the same post(s)."
Thereafter, the Commission floated
an advertisement vide Advt. 08/2022 dated
24.03.2022 for Assistant Professor, Govt.
(General) Degree College including Zoology
subject and then a Notification dated
26.04.2022 for giving one -time age-relaxation
in the recruitment process of Assistant
Professor in Govt. General Degree College
including Zoology subject in pursuance of
Memo No.F.20(1)/GA(P&T)/18 dated
20.08.2018. Being a candidate, you have also
participated for the subject of Zoology against
the Advt. 08/2022.
Page 18 of 24
Now, the Commission floated an
advertisement vide Advt. 05/2025 dated
30.01.2025 for Assistant Professor, Govt.
(General) Degree College and then a
Notification dated 10.03.2025 for giving one -
time age -relaxation for the subject of
Philosophy, Sanskrit, Economics, Psychology,
Physics, Chemistry, Statistics, Commerce, ETCE
& Environment Science in the fresh recruitment
process of Assistant Professor vide Advt. No.
05/2025 in pursuance of Memo No.F.
20(1/GA(P&T)/18 dated 20.08.2018 in which
Zoology subject was not included because one -
time age-relaxation for Zoology subject already
given vide Notification dated 26.04.2022
As per the Memo of GA (P&T)
Department dated 20.08.2018 and the
Commission's Notification dated 10.03.2025,
you are not entitled to the benefit of age
relaxation. This is because, following the
cancellation of the recruitment process related
to Advertisement No. 19/2017, you had
submitted a fresh application in response to
Advertisement No. 08/2022. The said
notification applies only to those candidates
who had crossed the upper age limit at the
time of submitting their application in response
to Advertisement No. 08/2022, and the one -
time relaxation mentioned therein is applicable
strictly on a one-time basis. Since you had
already participated in the fresh recruitment
process of Assistant Professor in Zoology
subject vide Advt. No. 08/2022 and was
declared unsuccessful in that recruitment
process, so you cannot now approach the
authority seeking to be granted the one -time
age relaxation once again.
This is for your kind information
and doing the needful.
Enclo- As stated.
Yours faithfully
(R. Das)
Under Secretary (N.O.)
Tripura Public Service Commission ”
25. It was further submitted that the TPSC, by notification
dated 10.03.2025, had granted one-time age relaxation in respect
of Advertisement No. 05/2025. For the sake of convenience, the
Page 19 of 24
relevant portion of the notification dated 10.03.2025 is reproduced
hereinbelow:
“TRIPURA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
AGARTALA
No.F.11(36-54)-Reett./TPSC/2024 Dated, the 10 March, 2005
NOTIFICATION
Ref:- Commission's Adv ertisement No.
05/2025 dated 30.01.2025 for recruitment to
the post of Assistant Professor. Government
(General) Degree Colleges, Education (Higher)
Department, Govt. of Tripura.
In continuation of the Commission's
Notification No. F.11(36-54)-Reett./TPSC/2024
dated 07.01 2025. I t is for information of all
concerned that candidates intending to avail
one time age relaxation will have to submit
documentary evidence of their participation in
the Advt. No. 19/2017 dated 26.09.2017 for
the post of Assistant Pro fessor, Government
(General) Degree Colleges .
This is in pursuance of Memo. No.
F.20(1)/GA(P&T)/18 dated 20.08.2018 of the
G.A (P&T) Department, Government of Tripura .
Other terms and condition will
remain unchanged.
(A. Pal)
Controller of Examinations.
Tripura Public Service Commission ”
26. Both the parties, in the course of hearing, relied upon the
memorandum dated 20.08.2018 issued by the GA (P&T)
Department. The relevant portion of paragraph 4 of the said
memorandum runs as follows:
“4. As regards the candidates who had
participated in the cancelled recruitment
processes, they are to be given one time
relaxation in upper age limit to enable them to
participate once in the fresh recruitment
process subject to providing documentary
evidence of their participation in the earlier
recruitment processes for the same post(s) .”
Page 20 of 24
27. From the aforesaid notification, it appears that, in the year
2017, the TPSC had issued an advertisement for filling up certain
posts, vide Advertisement No. 19/2017 (Annexure-R/1), which also
included posts in the subject of Zoology. There were, in total, 8
posts reserved for the ST category and 3 posts reserved for the UR
category. However, for reasons not disclosed, the said
advertisement was subsequently cancelled. T hereafter, by
notification dated 20.08.2018 (supra), the GA (P&T) Department
granted one-time relaxation in the upper age limit to the eligible
candidates.
28. It appears that, by the said notification, one-time age
relaxation was granted to the eligible candidates for participating
in the fresh recruitment process. Thereafter, in the year 2022,
another advertisement was issued vide Advertisement No. 08/22,
inviting applications for, inter alia, four vacancies for the post of
Zoology, of which two were reserved for the ST category and two
for the UR category. Admittedly, at the relevant point of time, the
petitioner was below 40 years of age. Therefore, without seeking
any age relaxation, he appeared in the selection examination
pursuant to the said advertisement, but was unsuccessful.
29. The petitioner is now seeking to claim the benefit of the
age relaxation provided under the GA (P&T) Department
notification dated 20.08.2018 (supra) again in respect of
Advertisement No. 05/2025. However, this occasion, the TPSC, by
notification dated 07.03.2025 (Annexure -12), granted age
Page 21 of 24
relaxation in respect of certain subjects, but no such relaxation
was granted in respect of the post of Zoology.
30. In this regard, Learned Counsel, Mr. Pandey, at the time of
hearing, submitted that, in the first place, the petitioner is not
entitled to avail the benefit of the notification dated 20.08.2018
issued by the GA (P&T) Department. He further submitted that,
during the year 2022, age relaxation was granted in respect of
certain posts, including the posts of Sanskrit, Commerce and
Zoology, amongst others. For the sake of convenience, the
relevant portions of age relaxation in 2022 relating to Sanskrit,
Commerce and Zoology are reproduced hereinbelow:
1 2 3 4 5 6
SL
No.
Subject/
Discipline
Advt.
19/2017
Advt.
01/ 2021
Advt.
08/2022
Remarks
1 Sanskrit
SC- 01 SC- Nil SC- Nil
Age relaxation only
for SC & UR
category are to e
allowed as Advt.
1/2021 contains no
SC & UR post
ST- 07 ST- 03 ST- Nil
UR- 04 UR- Nil UR- 01
PH- Nil PH- 01 PH- Nil
2 Zoology
SC- Nil SC- Nil SC- Nil
Age relaxation only
for UR category to be
allowed as advt.
01/2021 contains no
UR post
ST- 08 ST- 01 ST- 02
UR- 03 UR- Nil UR- 02
PH- Nil PH- 01 PH- Nil
3
Commerc
e
SC- 01
No
Advertiseme
nt
SC- Nil
Age relaxation only
for SC category to be
allowed as advt.
01/2021 contains no
SC post
ST- Nil ST- 02
UR- Nil UR- 02
PH- Nil PH- Nil
Page 22 of 24
31. In respect of Advertisement No. 05/2025, the TPSC again
granted age relaxation in respect of various posts, including
Sanskrit and Commerce, but excluded the post of Zoology. The
reasons for granting such relaxation, the figures are mentioned
hereinbelow:
32. From the aforesaid notification dated 07.03.2025, as
referred to hereinabove, it appears that, in respect of the post of
Sanskrit, age relaxation was granted on the ground that
Advertisement No. 01/2021 and Advertisement No. 08/2022 did
not contain any post under the SC category. Similarly, in respect of
the post of Commerce, age relaxation was granted to candidates
belonging to the SC category, as Advertisement No. 01/2021 and
Advertisement No. 08/2022 did not contain any post under the SC
category.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
SL No.
Subject/
Discipline
Advt.
19/2017
Advt.
01/ 2021
Advt.
08/2022
Advt.
05/2025
Remarks
2
Sanskri
t
SC-01 SC- Nil SC- Nil SC-02 Age
relaxation
only for SC
candidates to
be allowed
as Advt.
No.01/202
1 & Advt.
No.
08/2022
contains no
SC posts.
ST- 07 ST- 03 ST- Nil ST-04
UR- 04 UR-
Nil
UR- 01 UR-07
PH- Nil PH- 01 PH- Nil PH-01
8 Commerce
SC- 01
No
Advertise
ment
No
Advertise
ment
SC- Nil Age
relaxation
only for SC
category to
be allowed
as advt.
01/2021
contains no
SC posts.
ST- Nil ST- 02
UR- Nil UR- 02
PH- Nil PH- Nil
Page 23 of 24
33. Furthermore, Learned Counsel submitted that, during the
year 2022, age relaxation was granted in respect of Advertisement
No. 08/2022 to those candidates who had crossed the prescribed
upper age limit at the time of submission of their applications. The
said relaxation was intended to operate on a one-time basis. The
petitioner, although he participated in the said selection process,
was, admittedly, below 40 years of age at the relevant time and,
therefore, did not require any age relaxation. As such, according to
Learned Counsel for TPSC the petitioner cannot claim a similar
benefit in the subsequent recruitment process initiated in the year
2025.
Learned Counsel further submitted that the memorandum
dated 20.08.2018 issued by the GA (P&T) Department is clear and
inasmuch as the benefit of relaxation in the upper age limit was
extended to enable eligible candidates to participate “once in the
fresh recruitment process”, subject to furnishing documentary
evidence.
34. Now, taking aid of the said memorandum dated
20.08.2018, the present petitioner cannot claim the benefit of age
relaxation for an indefinite period. Upon hearing the Learned
Counsel appearing for the parties and considering the materials on
record, this Court is of the view that the petitioner has failed to
make out any case for issuance of a writ of mandamus directing
the respondents to consider his candidature. Accordingly, in the
Page 24 of 24
considered opinion of this Court, the petitioner is not entitled to
any relief in the present writ petition.
35. In the result, the writ petition filed, being devoid of merit,
deserves no consideration and is, accordingly, stands dismissed.
36. The interim order, if any, stands vacated.
With the aforesaid observations, the present writ petition
stands disposed of.
Pending application(s), if any, also stand disposed of.
JUDGE
Satabdi
In a significant ruling, the Tripura High Court addressed a petition seeking age relaxation for a government recruitment process. This judgment, pertaining to Tripura High Court age relaxation and Assistant Professor recruitment eligibility, is now prominently featured on CaseOn, offering crucial insights for legal professionals and aspirants alike.
Dr. Ramananda Ghosh Tarafdar (the Petitioner) applied for the post of Assistant Professor in Zoology under Advertisement No. 05/2025. On the cut-off date (March 7, 2025), he was 40 years and 6 days old, exceeding the prescribed upper age limit of 40 years. He sought age relaxation, citing various notifications and a government memorandum.
The Petitioner's initial writ petition (WP(C) No. 139/2025) seeking age relaxation was dismissed. An appeal (W.A. No. 62/2025) subsequently directed the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC) to reconsider his representation in light of a notification dated March 10, 2025, which granted one-time age relaxation for certain subjects. However, the TPSC ultimately rejected his claim, prompting the current writ petition.
This memorandum (Annexure-8) stated that candidates who participated in a previously cancelled recruitment process (Advt. No. 19/2017, issued in 2017) would be given a "one time relaxation" in the upper age limit. This was to enable them to participate "once in the fresh recruitment process" subject to providing documentary evidence of their prior participation.
For Advertisement No. 08/2022 (issued in 2022) for Assistant Professor, Government (General) Degree College, including Zoology, a one-time age relaxation was specifically granted in pursuance of the August 20, 2018, memorandum. The Petitioner participated in this 2022 recruitment process.
This notification, pertaining to Advt. No. 05/2025, granted a one-time age relaxation for subjects like Philosophy, Sanskrit, Economics, Psychology, Physics, Chemistry, Statistics, Commerce, ETCE, and Environment Science. Crucially, it did *not* include Zoology, explicitly stating that the one-time age relaxation for Zoology had already been given via the April 26, 2022, notification in connection with Advt. No. 08/2022.
Legal professionals often navigate complex policy details in such cases. CaseOn.in's 2-minute audio briefs can significantly assist in quickly grasping the nuances of these specific rulings, allowing for efficient analysis of the various notifications and memorandums at play.
The High Court meticulously considered the arguments from both sides. The Petitioner contended that he should be eligible for age relaxation, especially since he was below 40 years when he participated in the 2022 advertisement and thus didn't 'avail' the relaxation then. However, the respondents (State and TPSC) consistently argued that the age relaxation policy was on a "one-time basis" for a specific subject following a cancelled advertisement.
The Court observed that the 20.08.2018 memorandum clearly stipulated a "one time relaxation" for candidates who participated in the cancelled 2017 advertisement. This benefit was explicitly extended to the Zoology subject through the 26.04.2022 notification for the 2022 advertisement (Advt. No. 08/2022). The Petitioner admittedly participated in this 2022 recruitment process.
The core of the TPSC's argument, which the Court accepted, was that since the one-time age relaxation for Zoology had *already been provided* and the Petitioner *had participated* in that subsequent recruitment process (Advt. No. 08/2022), he could not claim the same benefit again for a later advertisement (Advt. No. 05/2025).
The Court highlighted that the age relaxation was not meant to be claimed indefinitely or at the convenience of the candidate. The TPSC's decision to exclude Zoology from the 10.03.2025 notification was therefore justified, as the subject had already received its one-time relaxation opportunity. The previous dismissal of the Petitioner's writ petition and the subsequent re-examination by TPSC, as directed by the Division Bench, also concluded that the Petitioner was not entitled to further age relaxation.
The Tripura High Court, after thoroughly examining the facts and the policy framework, found no merit in the Petitioner's request for further age relaxation. The Court reiterated that the age relaxation granted by the GA (P&T) Department and TPSC was a 'one-time' benefit for subjects affected by cancelled recruitment processes. Since this 'one-time' benefit had already been extended to the Zoology subject, and the Petitioner had participated in the Advt. No. 08/2022 recruitment process (which incorporated this relaxation), he cannot claim it again for Advt. No. 05/2025.
Consequently, the writ petition was dismissed, affirming the TPSC's decision to reject the Petitioner's candidature on the grounds of exceeding the age limit, given that the 'one-time' relaxation had already been applied.
This judgment serves as a critical precedent regarding the interpretation and application of 'one-time' benefits in recruitment policies. For lawyers, it underscores the importance of precisely analyzing the wording of government memoranda and notifications, particularly concerning eligibility criteria and the scope of relaxations. It clarifies that a 'one-time' concession cannot be claimed repeatedly or indefinitely, even if a candidate did not 'need' it or was unsuccessful during the initial window of its application.
For law students and those preparing for competitive exams, this case illustrates the judicial approach to policy decisions made by recruitment bodies. It highlights principles of administrative law, where courts generally defer to the interpretation of statutory and policy provisions by the implementing authorities, provided such interpretations are reasonable and consistent with the original intent. It's a valuable lesson in understanding the finality of 'one-time' concessions and the limits of challenging eligibility criteria once a specific benefit has been offered and utilized, even if indirectly, by participating in the process where it was applicable.
All information provided in this analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified legal professional for advice on specific legal issues.
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