Gauhati High Court values infant child care leave over Census 2027 duty for professor

The Gauhati High Court has suspended an assistant professor's appointment as a Census 2027 supervisor in Assam until the authorities decide her request for childcare leave to care for her eight-month-old son. Justice Nelson Sailo ruled that the woman's husband is stationed elsewhere, leaving her as the sole caregiver for her infant.

The court ordered the Sonipur district commissioner to consider her leave application within ten days, after which her appointment as Census supervisor would remain on hold. The woman, an Assistant Professor at Rangapara College in Sonitpur, gave birth to a baby boy on December 7, 2025. Since her husband is stationed away, she and a maid are the only ones to look after the baby, who now requires constant care.

She applied for Child Care Leave from August 1 to October 29, 2026, but it has not been granted yet. The court considered her application based on Assam State Government Employees Child Care Leave Rules, 2025, which define a 'minor child' as a biological or adopted child under the age of 18.