JUDGMENT: (per Manoj Kumar Gupta, C.J.)

1. The petitioner, feeling aggrieved by Office Order dated 07.05.2026, whereby it has been intimated that the petitioner would retire on 30.06.2026, has filed the present writ petition.

2. The initial appointment of the petitioner, vide order dated 21.12.2004, was as a Training Organizer/Associate Professor/Associate Director. In due course of time, he was granted various promotions and presently he is holding the designation of Professor Extension Education and is posted in the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kashipur.

3. The case of the petitioner is that, by order dated 20.09.2013, age of superannuation of the teaching staff in the University was increased from 60 to 65 years. The further case of the petitioner is that he has all through been treated as a teaching staff and promotion on the post of Professor was granted to him because he was treated as member of a teaching staff. However, by order dated 04.07.2023 passed by the State Government, it has been held that the employees other than teachers, would retire at the age of 60 years.

4. The submission of learned counsel for the petitioner is that, in identical facts and circumstances, in case of