Smt Meena K v. The Principal Secretary

NC:(2026:KHC:5860( WP(No.(20794(of(2025( ( , ,,HC-KAR( ( ( IN(THE(HIGH(COURT(OF(KARNATAKA(AT(BENGALURU(

NDDATED(THIS(THE(2 (DAY(OF(FEBRUARY,(2026(

BEFORE( THE(HON'BLE(MR.(JUSTICE(H.T.(NARENDRA(PRASAD( WRIT(PETITION(NO.(20794(OF(2025((S-RES)( BETWEEN:(( ,

SMT,MEENA,K, W/O,LATE,SANTHOSH,KUMAR, AGED,ABOUT,30,YEARS,

BORAYYANAHATTI, CHANNARAYANA,DURGA,HOBLI, KOTTAGERE,TALUK,,TUVINAKERE,

TUMKUR,DISTRICT-572129., …PETITIONER, (BY,SRI.,LAXMINARAYAN.,,ADVOCATE),

AND:( ,

1., THE,PRINCIPAL,SECRETARY, WOMEN,AND,CHILD,WELFARE,DEPARTMENT, M.S.BUILDING,Digitally

signedtiby DR.B.R.AMBEDKAR,VEEDHI, MALATHI BANGALORE-560,001.,CHALUVA IYENGAR ,

Location: 2., DEPUTY,COMMISSIONER, HIGH TUMKUR,DISTRICT,COURTOF KARNATAKA TUMKUR-572101., ,

3., DEPUTY,DIRECTOR, CHILD,DEVELOPMENT,OFFICER, TUMKUR-572101., ,

4., CHILD,DEVELOPMENT,PROJECT,OFFICER, KOTTAGERE,TALUK, TUMKUR,DISTRICT-572101., …RESPONDENTS,

(BY SRI.G RAMESH NAIK, AGA FOR R1 TO R4)

THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASH THE ORDER/ENDORSEMENT DATED: 27.05.2025 BEARING NO.SHI.A.YO.KO-HIMBARAHA-2025-26/105 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT VIDE ANNEXURE-E, IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY AND ETC.

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN 'B' GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD

ORAL ORDER This writ petition is filed under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India, challenging the endorsement dated 27.05.2025 (Annexure-E), whereby the request of the petitioner for appointment on compassionate grounds has been rejected on the ground that the 12th Class certificate produced by the petitioner (Annexure-G) was not issued by an institution recognized by the Government of Karnataka.

¶2The brief facts of the case are that the deceased, Smt. Lalithamma, who was the mother-in-law of the petitioner, was working as an Anganawadi Teacher. While in service, she died on 25.05.2021. The petitioner is the daughter-in-law of the deceased, Lalithamma. She filed an application for appointment on compassionate grounds on

28.07.2023, enclosing her SSLC and 12th Class marks cards. Her application for appointment on compassionate grounds has been rejected vide Annexure-E on the ground that the 12th Class marks card produced by the petitioner was not issued by an institution recognized under the Karnataka Secondary Education and Examination Board.

¶3The petitioner studied her 10th Standard in a school recognized by the Karnataka Secondary Education and Examination Board. She completed her 12th Class at the Bharath Institute of Schooling Education, Bengaluru, which is approved and recognized by the Government of Karnataka as per the Government Order dated 14.01.2020 (Annexure-H), subject to certain conditions. One of the

conditions is that the marks card issued by the said institution is equivalent to the PUC and can be considered for further education and employment purposes. The same has also been recognized by the Association of Indian Universities, established by the Central Government, vide Notification dated 15.11.2021. The State Government has also issued a Circular dated 12.06.2025 (Annexure-L). The marks card issued by the Bharath Institute of Schooling Education is equivalent to the PUC marks card and can be considered for appointment to the post of Anganawadi Worker and Anganawadi Helper. Hence, he sought for allowing the writ petition.

¶4Along with the statement of objections, the respondent-State produced Annexure-R7, namely, the Circular dated 27.02.2018, wherein it is specifically stated that the certificate obtained from the National Institute of Open Schooling is equivalent to the certificate issued by the Karnataka Pre-University Board. Even the 12th Class certificate issued by the National Institute of Open

Schooling is treated as equivalent to the PUC certificate issued by the Karnataka Pre-University Board. In spite of this, without considering the said aspect of the matter, the impugned endorsement has been issued. Therefore, the impugned endorsement dated 27.05.2025 (Annexure-E) is liable to be quashed.

¶5In view of the above, the following order is passed:

(i) The writ petition is allowed.

(ii) The impugned endorsement dated 27.05.2025 (Annexure-E) issued by the fourth respondent is hereby quashed.

(iii) The respondent Nos.3 and 4 are directed to consider the application filed by the petitioner dated

28.07.2023, keeping in view the Circular issued by the State Government and the Central Government from time to time, and to pass appropriate orders in accordance with

law, as expeditiously as possible, and in any event, not later than three months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order.

Sd/- (H.T. NARENDRA PRASAD) JUDGE

CM LIST NO.: 1 SL NO.: 62