Tamil Nadu Police must adopt state-wide seniority prospectively from 1 January 2026.

The Government of Tamil Nadu, the Director General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Chennai, filed an intra-court appeal under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent challenging the order dated 03.03.2021 passed by the learned Single Judge in W.P. No. 1251 of 2021.

The respondents were G. Sam William Carter and three other police personnel.

During the pendency of the appeal, a Division Bench of the Madras High Court decided the common seniority dispute in M. Mahedran v. The Government of Tamil Nadu, reported as 2026 MHC 1780, concerning the applicability of State-wise seniority in the Tamil Nadu Police Subordinate Service.

The Court applied Rule 3(b)(ii)(b) of the Special Rules for the Tamil Nadu Police Subordinate Service, which had previously provided the basis for Range-wise seniority.

Relying on the Division Bench decision in M. Mahedran v. The Government of Tamil Nadu, 2026 MHC 1780, the Court treated Rule 3(b)(ii)(b) as having become redundant in view of the Government’s decision to adopt State-wise seniority.

Under that framework, inter se seniority was to be reckoned from initial enlistment as Grade II Police Constable; eligible serving personnel were to receive consequential promotions; the revised system was to operate prospectively from 01.01.2026; persons in service on that date alone would receive its benefit; existing promotions would not be disturbed; and no arrears or monetary benefits would be payable for the period preceding 01.01.2026.

The Division Bench held that the subject matter of the appeal was no longer res integra because the governing questions had already been settled by the common order in M. Mahedran.

It therefore considered a separate examination of the merits unnecessary.

The Court adopted the legal and administrative framework laid down in that decision, including preparation of State-wise seniority lists from the constabulary stage, consequential promotions based on that seniority, protection against reversion of promotions already earned under Range-wise seniority, and prospective financial implementation from 01.01.2026.

Accordingly, the appeal was disposed of on the same terms rather than being independently adjudicated.

The State was required to adopt State-wise seniority, reckon seniority from initial Grade II Police Constable enlistment, prepare and release the relevant seniority lists within two months from receipt of the order, and grant consequential promotions to eligible personnel, including those retiring on or after 01.01.2026.

The benefits were prospective from 01.01.2026, with no arrears or monetary benefits payable for the period up to 31.12.2025; promotions already earned were not to be disturbed.

No costs were imposed, and the connected civil miscellaneous petition was closed.