Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Supreme Court Bars Fresh Assam Teacher Appointments, Absorption
The Supreme Court has temporarily stopped Assam from appointing or absorbing teachers through a special provincialisation scheme.
This scheme allows the state to take responsibility for some teachers’ salaries and benefits.
A petition argues that the system may let people enter government jobs without an open and competitive selection process.
The petitioners also say some teachers may not have the qualifications required by law.
They asked the court to review people already brought into the system.
The court has not yet made a final decision on whether the scheme is constitutional.
For now, no new appointments or absorptions can be made under the scheme.
The court has asked the concerned governments and officials to respond.
The Supreme Court directed Assam authorities not to appoint or absorb teachers under the state’s provincialisation scheme.
The order covers schools and colleges and remains in force pending further consideration of the case.
The petition challenges the Assam Education Provincialisation Act, 2017, and related provisions governing venture educational institutions.
Petitioners allege the scheme allows entry into government service without fair, transparent and competitive recruitment.
The court issued notices to the Centre, Assam government and senior education officials.
- Who
- A Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, acting on a petition by Rajesh Chauhan and Madhab Mukunda Pujari; the respondents include the Centre, the Assam government and state education authorities.
- What
- The Supreme Court ordered a temporary halt to fresh teacher appointments and absorptions under Assam’s provincialisation framework and issued notices to the respondents.
- When
- Tuesday; the order will apply pending further consideration of the matter.
- Where
- Schools and colleges in Assam.
- Why
- The petition alleges that the framework permits entry into government service without fair, transparent and competitive recruitment and may allow insufficiently qualified people to teach.
- Court action
- Interim direction barring fresh appointments and absorptions under the provincialisation scheme.
- State concerned
- Assam
- Challenged law
- Assam Education (Provincialisation of Services of Teachers and Re-organisation of Educational Institutions) Act, 2017
- Earlier legislation cited
- Assam Venture Educational Institutions (Provincialisation of Services) Act, 2011
- Constitutional provisions cited
- Articles 14, 16, 21A and 254
- Petitioners
- Rajesh Chauhan and Madhab Mukunda Pujari
- Court bench
- Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana