Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Calcutta High Court Says Census Work Counts As School Duty
Some teachers were asked to help with a population survey.
They went to court over being given this extra assignment.
The Calcutta High Court said this work counts as official school duty.
The court also said teachers cannot simply refuse the assignment.
However, census officials must clearly tell the school when and where the work will happen.
They must also explain the date, time and place to the head of the institution.
The ruling ended the petitions about these assignments.
It applies when census officials decide to use the teachers’ services.
The Calcutta High Court ruled that teachers assigned census work are deemed to be on school duty.
The court said teachers cannot refuse census assignments.
It disposed of petitions challenging or concerning teachers being assigned population survey work.
Census officials must specify the work date, time and place to the head of the institution.
The requirement applies when the Director of Census Operations and Charge Officer intend to use the teachers’ services.
- Who
- The Calcutta High Court, teachers, the Director of Census Operations and the Charge Officer.
- What
- The court ruled that teachers assigned census work are on school duty and cannot refuse the assignment.
- When
- The ruling was issued on Friday; no exact date was provided.
- Where
- The decision was issued by the Calcutta High Court.
- Why
- The court was addressing pleas concerning teachers being assigned population survey work.
Teachers’ Concerns
Census Authorities’ Assignment
Whether teachers could decline
Teachers’ Concerns
Teachers brought pleas concerning their assignment to population survey work.
Census Authorities’ Assignment
The court clarified that teachers cannot refuse the assignment when their services are sought.
Status of the work
Teachers’ Concerns
The petitions concerned teachers being assigned work outside their ordinary school duties.
Census Authorities’ Assignment
The court said the census assignment is deemed to be school duty.
Work arrangements
Teachers’ Concerns
Teachers’ pleas raised issues about being deputed for census work.
Census Authorities’ Assignment
Census officials must provide the institution’s head with the specific date, time and place of work.
- Ruling
- Census work assigned to teachers is deemed to be school duty.
- Teacher obligation
- Teachers cannot refuse the census assignment.
- Case status
- The court disposed of the pleas concerning the assignments.
- Officials named
- The Director of Census Operations and the Charge Officer.
- Required notice
- Officials must specify the date, time and place of work to the head of the institution.