JUDGMENT :

Heard Mr. A. Zhimomi, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. K. Angami, learned Sr. Government Advocate for the State respondents.

2. The present petition has been filed for grant of advance increment in the time scale of pay as per the statutory rules governing recruitment and conditions of service of persons in the department of Works & Housing.

3. That the fact of the case in a nutshell is that, by the notification dated 18/06/2007, the petitioner was appointed as a Sub-Divisional Officer (C) in the department of Works & Housing. The appointment was made consequent to the recommendation made by the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC). At the time of entry into service, the petitioner had a degree in Civil Engineering (BE. Civil). In the year 2011, the petitioner applied for higher study leave, and on permission being accorded the petitioner secured admission in the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. On successful completion of the course, the petitioner was awarded the degree of Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D) on 04/11/2017. The subject chosen by the petitioner for the doctoral studies was “Enhancing Fly Ash Utilization In Concrete”.

4. The Nagaland Engineerin