Gauhati HC: Degree Without Permission Is Misconduct, Bars In-Charge Promotion

The Gauhati High Court ruled that obtaining a degree without prior permission violates service conduct rules and amounts to misconduct, though the degree remains valid. A Division Bench held that an employee facing disciplinary proceedings cannot be appointed to an in-charge promotional post during the inquiry. Setting aside a Single Judge’s order, the court upheld the Assam government’s decision to deny an in-charge Headmaster post to a teacher who obtained a B.Ed degree without approval, citing violation of the Assam Services (Conduct) Rules, 1965.