HED orders transfers, postings and look-after charge of Principals

Jammu: The Higher Education Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, has ordered transfers and postings of Principals and assigned look-after charge of Principal posts to senior-most Associate Professors in Government Degree Colleges across the Union Territory. The orders have been issued in the interest of administration with immediate effect.The decision has been taken in compliance with the Hon’ble High Court order dated 03.09.2025 passed in WP(C) No. 2367/2025 titled UT of J&K and Others vs Prof. Arti Pandoh and Others. The transfers and arrangements have been notified vide Government Order No. 508-JK(HE) of 2025 dated 29-12-2025.

As per the order, several Principals have been transferred and posted to new institutions against available vacancies, while some have been adjusted from awaiting positions. In addition, the Principal, Amar Singh College, Srinagar has been entrusted with the additional charge of Principal, Government Degree College, Allochibagh, and the Principal, S.P. College, Srinagar has been assigned the additional charge of Principal, Government Degree College, Bagh-e-Dilawar Khan, until further orders.

Further, in colleges where regular Principals are not in position, senior-most Associate Professors have been assigned the charge of Principal on a look-after basis. These assignments have been made strictly as per seniority and against available vacancies in various Government Degree Colleges and Women’s Colleges across Jammu and Kashmir.The order clarifies that the look-after arrangement will not confer any preferential right or claim for promotion on the incumbents. Promotions shall continue to be governed by the Jammu and Kashmir Education (Gazetted) College Service Recruitment Rules, 2014, or subject to approval of recommendations by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission.

It has also been stipulated that these arrangements are purely temporary and will remain in force only till regular Principals or duly selected candidates are posted. The arrangements shall automatically cease upon the joining or posting of regular incumbents, without any prior notice, and shall remain subject to the outcome of any writ petitions pending before competent courts.Additionally, the department has made it clear that the look-after charge is reversible at any time, including in the event of receipt of any adverse report from investigating agencies against any faculty member.The orders are aimed at ensuring smooth academic and administrative functioning of Government Degree Colleges across the Union Territory while maintaining adherence to legal provisions and judicial directions.