JUDGMENT :

Heard Mr. A.R. Bhuyan, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. U. Sarma, learned Standing Counsel, Education (Secondary) Department appearing for the respondents.

2. The petitioner, by way of instituting the present proceedings, has raised a grievance with regard to his possible exclusion from the process underway for recruitment to the vacant posts of Principals in various Higher Secondary Schools of the State on the ground that he has not garnered the teaching experience as mandated under the provisions of Rule 12(3)(ii) and Rule 12(3) (iv) of Assam Secondary Education (Provincialised Schools) Rules, 2018 (in short, Rules of 2018).

3. The facts requisite for consideration of the issue arising in the present proceedings are noted as under.

4. The petitioner was appointed as a Graduate Teacher (Science) in Lakhimpur Government Higher Secondary School vide order dated 16.02.2006. The petitioner joined his such services, in pursuance to the said order of appointment dated 16.02.2006, on 17.02.2006. It is to be noted that the petitioner earlier, in pursuance to an advertisement issued on 08.02.2003, had submitted his application for being considered for recruitment a