UKHC010124712026 2026:UHC:6175-DB IN THE HIGH COURT OF UTTARAKHAND AT NAINITAL THE HON’BLE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. MANOJ KUMAR GUPTA AND THE HON’BLE JUSTICE MR. SUBHASH UPADHYAY WRIT PETITION (S/B) NO. 452 of 2026 22nd July, 2026 Dr. Santosh Kumar -----Petitioner Versus Vice Chancellor Kumaun University and others ----Respondents Presence:- Mr. S.S. Yadav, learned counsel for the petitioner. Mr. Rajeev Singh Bisht, learned counsel with Mr. Naveen Chandra Paneru, learned counsel for the respondent nos.1 and 2. Mr. B.S. Parihar , learned Additional CSC for the State. JUDGMENT : (per Mr. Manoj Kumar Gupta C. J.) 1. The petitioner has retired from the post of Professor, Department of Geology, Kumaun University, Nainital on 30.06.2026 upon attaining the age of superannuation, which is 65 years. He is now seeking two years extension in service on basis of Government Order dated 30.05.2005. 2. The Government Order provides for extension of two years services of teachers, who have received national awards/ fellowship from Bharatiya Rashtriya Vigyan Academy, New Delhi, Bharatiya Vigyan Academy, Bangalore, or Rashtriya Academy, Allahabad. The petitioner claims that he is co- recipient of the National Geoscience Award, 2019, along with one Dr. Biswajit Ghosh, therefore, he is entitled to two years extension in service in terms of aforesaid Government Order. He further submits that the respondents have already granted similar benefits to one Professor S.P. Singh, Professor, 1 UKHC010124712026 2026:UHC:6175-DB Department of Botany, Kumaun University, while in case of the petitioner, the respondents are making discrimination. 3. Learned counsel appearing for the University submits that only awards/fellowship from three bodies, i.e., Bharatiya Rashtriya Vigyan Academy, New Delhi; Bharatiya Vigyan Academy, Bangalore and Rashtriya Academy, Allahabad, are covered under the Government Order dated 30.06.2005, and since the petitioner is not having any Award or fellowship from any of the aforesaid three bodies, therefore, he is not covered under the Government Order. He further submits that as far as Dr. S.P. Singh is concerned, he was a recipient of fellowship from Rashtriya Academy and was therefore, covered under the Government Order. The petitioner cannot claim parity with him. 4. We have considered the Government Order dated 30.06.2005 and we find that it only covers awards/ fellowship granted by three bodies, namely, Bharatiya Rashtriya Vigyan Academy, New Delhi; Bharatiya Vigyan Academy, Bangalore and Rashtriya Academy, Allahabad. Since, the petitioner is not recipient of any award/fellowship from any of the three aforesaid three organizations, therefore, his case would not fall under the Government Order. As regards the alleged discrimination, the contention does not have any force, inasmuch as, Dr. S.P. Singh was admittedly the recipient of fellowship from the National Academy and was thus covered under the Government Order. 2 UKHC010124712026 2026:UHC:6175-DB 5. The writ petition lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed. 6. Pending application, if any, also stands disposed of. (MANOJ KUMAR GUPTA, C. J.) (SUBHASH UPADHYAY, J.) Dated: 22.07.2026 KKS/PP 3