HP High Court orders Govt to hold DPC for School Principals by Dec 20
Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source internet
Shimla, Dec 4,
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the State Education Department to convene the long-pending Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) for promotions to the post of Principal (School Cadre) by or before December 20, 2025, after observing that eligible Lecturers cannot be deprived of their right to career progression due to administrative delays. Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua passed the order while disposing of a petition filed by eight Lecturers (School Cadre), all above 57 years of age, four of whom are due to superannuate on December 31, 2025. The petitioners were represented by Senior Advocate Sanjeev Bhushan, assisted by Advocate Sohail Khan, while the State was represented by Assistant Advocate General Rajat Choudhry.
The Court recorded that the petitioners had been appointed as Lecturers in 1999–2000 and had served for nearly 25 years without receiving a single promotion. The State admitted that the last time Lecturers were placed as Principals (School Cadre) was in 2014, and their services were regularised only in 2023–24. With the petitioners’ seniority numbers falling close behind those last promoted, they argued that they were entitled to timely consideration. The Court noted that the State had not convened DPC meetings for years, despite clear government instructions mandating annual DPCs, preferably in April each year.
In a observation, the Court held: “Consideration for promotion is fundamental right of an eligible employee. This right cannot be defeated by inordinate & unnecessary delay in making promotions.” It added that the delay “cannot be lost sight of” when the petitioners were nearing retirement after decades of service.
The Education Department informed the Court that around 805 posts of Principal (School Cadre) are lying vacant, vigilance clearances have been obtained for around 650 candidates, a panel of 800 eligible candidates has been prepared, and the Cabinet has already approved relaxation of consultation with the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) so that the DPC can be held at the Government level. However, the Court found the government’s earlier instructions inadequate, noting that they “do not at all address and redress the grievances of the petitioners”, especially because no timeline had been fixed earlier.
Directing the State to complete the process without any further delay, the Court ordered: “It will be appropriate to direct the respondents to convene the meeting of DPC for making promotions to the posts of Principal (School Cadre) within two weeks, i.e. by or before 20.12.2025.” It further directed that consequential promotion orders must be issued within three days of the DPC and that posting orders for petitioners aged above 57 years, if found eligible, must also be issued within the same period. Compliance has been posted for December 26, 2025.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
