Madurai: The Madurai Bench of the High Court has directed the Anti-Corruption Department to submit a report on the issue of fake PSTM ( Person Studied in Tamil Medium) certificates obtained by some individuals to avail reservation benefits in government jobs under the Tamil medium quota.

The matter arose following a petition by Thirumangalam lawyer Sakthirao, who highlighted that 20% of state government jobs are reserved for candidates who studied in Tamil medium.

Certain candidates had submitted PSTM certificates from distance education programs, claiming Tamil-medium education, despite not having studied in Tamil from school to college. The petitioner sought that only genuine Tamil-medium students be eligible for such reservations in Group 1 examinations conducted by TNPSC.

In 2021, the Court had directed the Anti-Corruption Police to investigate cases of fake certificates issued by Madurai Kamaraj University. Following this, in October 2024, the police registered cases against four certificate holders, two university employees who assisted them, and three other individuals. Similar concerns were raised regarding Chidambaram Annamalai University.

Reports from the universities indicated that three certificate holders employed in government service had their degrees cancelled and were suspended. Another individual from Annamalai University also had their degree revoked.

The bench, comprising Justices P. Velmurugan and P. Pugazhendi, ordered that the investigation officer examine the matter in detail and submit a report by October 31, 2025, ensuring cooperation from the universities concerned.