Reports indicate the Tamil Nadu government is considering relaxing recruitment norms in the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, particularly for the post of Assistant Commissioner and above. The proposed change would ease the requirement that candidates must hold a law degree, enabling officers from departments such as Revenue to be appointed.
The HR&CE Department oversees 43,728 temples, while only about 800 officials—from inspectors to additional commissioners—handle administration. With staff managing multiple temples each, the workload is heavy. Executive officers are recruited through the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC), with entry-level eligibility set at Class 10 pass, and promotions leading to higher ranks.
For senior executive officer posts and the Assistant Commissioner role, a law degree has traditionally been mandatory, as officials are expected to safeguard temple properties and handle extensive litigation related to movable and immovable assets. The department’s structure has also been seen as distinct because officials entering these roles are expected to be trained in relevant legal aspects and study Hindu religious administration.
The report notes that IAS-led administrative changes have gradually increased the presence of non-HR&CE officials, including Revenue personnel. Two years ago, district-level Revenue officers and tahsildars were posted to assist with temple land issues such as encroachment removal and recovery of lands held by private parties, but critics claim the arrangement has not delivered results.
Social activists and spiritual groups argue that diluting the law-degree requirement could weaken the department’s ability to contest court cases and protect temple lands. They fear it may lead to land reclassification based on Revenue inputs and further erosion of temple land holdings amid existing concerns over encroachments and land fraud. A legal amendment bill is expected to be taken up in the Assembly session, according to the report.
