The Odisha government has issued a revised notification for the regularisation of junior teachers engaged under a government scheme in state-run primary and upper primary schools since the 2023-24 academic year.
The School and Mass Education Department issued the revised order following protests by contractual junior teachers in Bhubaneswar last month and a subsequent legal challenge to the earlier regularisation notification.
Under the revised order, junior teachers who are currently continuing in service will be regularised as assistant teachers in Pay Level-V(A) of the elementary education cadre, with immediate effect, subject to fulfilment of the prescribed conditions.
Service period before regularisation
The government has clarified that the period of service rendered by the teachers from their respective joining dates until December 2025 will continue to be treated as service in a schematic or contractual capacity.
This period will not be counted towards seniority in the regular cadre and will not entitle teachers to consequential service benefits associated with regular employment.
Teachers will, however, receive regular pay and other admissible service benefits applicable to assistant teachers from January 1, 2026, in accordance with government rules and instructions.
Earlier notification stayed by High Court
Around 13,000 junior teachers, including women, were engaged in government-run primary and upper primary schools across Odisha, according to officials.
The School and Mass Education Department had first issued a notification for their regularisation on April 2. The Orissa High Court stayed the order 12 days later following litigation challenging the regularisation process.
The government has now issued the revised notification after making changes intended to address the legal issues raised in connection with the earlier order.
The revised notification is expected to provide clarity on the status, pay and service benefits of junior teachers currently working in government schools across the state.
