Odisha govt revises junior teacher regularization order after legal challenge

Odisha has revised the regularization terms for junior teachers (schematic) working in government-run primary and upper primary schools, with eligible teachers to be appointed as assistant teachers with immediate effect.

The revised notification, issued by the School and Mass Education Department, applies to junior teachers who have continued in service since their engagement during the 2023-24 academic year. Their regularization will be subject to the prescribed conditions under the applicable government rules.

The order also specifies how the teachers' previous service will be treated after their regularization. Their service from the respective dates of joining through December 2025 will be considered service rendered in a schematic or contractual capacity.

This earlier service period will not be counted toward seniority in the regular cadre. It will also not make the teachers eligible for any consequential service benefits linked to regular cadre seniority.

Eligible teachers will receive the regular pay and other admissible service benefits applicable to assistant teachers from Jan 1, 2026, in accordance with government rules and instructions.

Around 13,000 junior teachers, including women, were engaged across government-run primary and upper primary schools in Odisha, according to officials.

The department had previously issued a notification for their regularization on April 2, 2026. The order, however, was stayed 12 days later following litigation.

The School and Mass Education Department has now issued the revised notification after making changes to address the legal issues raised in connection with the earlier order.

The new notification sets out the conditions and terms governing the regularization of eligible junior teachers.