What was announced
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the special recruitment drive on June 27, 2024, stating that the Assam government would create 35,000 new vacancies exclusively for these contractual SSA teachers. Speaking at a press briefing, Mr. Sarma clarified that once these positions are filled, the corresponding 35,000 contractual posts will be phased out, effectively converting the teachers’ employment status from contractual to regular. The Chief Minister indicated that the entire process of streamlining and executing this regularisation is anticipated to be completed within four to five months from June 27, 2026.Why it matters
This decision holds significant implications for the state’s education system and the teaching community. For the 35,000 contractual SSA teachers, it promises an end to years of job insecurity and provides the stability and benefits associated with permanent government employment. The initiative is expected to boost teacher morale, potentially leading to improved educational outcomes in primary and upper primary schools across Assam. Education Minister Ranoj Pegu has previously highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring job security and extended benefits for SSA teachers. The regularisation also addresses a critical policy challenge stemming from a Supreme Court ruling which prohibits direct regularisation of contractual employees by cabinet decisions. By creating new, regular posts and allowing existing contractual teachers to apply, the state government is navigating this legal framework to provide a pathway to permanent employment. This structured approach aims to resolve the protracted issue surrounding SSA teachers promptly.Background
The issue of regularising contractual teachers in Assam has been a long-standing and often contentious matter. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), a flagship programme for universal elementary education, led to the appointment of a large number of teachers on contractual terms across the state. Many of these teachers, particularly those who qualified through the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) since 2012, have consistently demanded regularisation of their services. The demand gained political traction, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) including the regularisation of TET-qualified teachers in its 2016 election manifesto. Over the years, teachers’ associations, such as the Sadou Asom Prathamik TET-Utrrino Shiskhak Samaj and the All Assam Primary TET Qualified Teachers’ Society, have staged numerous protests and moved the Gauhati High Court, seeking permanent employment and pay parity with regular teachers. In previous phases, the Assam government has undertaken similar drives. In September 2024, approximately 24,000 contractual teachers working in primary schools were regularised through a special recruitment drive. This process, however, was not without its challenges, as some teachers expressed concerns over potential salary reductions upon transitioning to regular posts, leading to protests. Education Minister Ranoj Pegu clarified at the time that, according to government rules, a regularised contractual employee joining a new post would be considered a fresh appointment, which could affect their previous pay scale. Despite these concerns, the majority of teachers opted for regularisation. Additionally, in September 2024, the government decided to regularise the jobs of 4,669 contractual teachers in high schools. More recently, in August 2026, teachers regularised through the Special Recruitment Drive (SRD) faced delays in salary disbursement, leading to threats of legal action and protests by the Assam State Primary Teachers’ Association (ASPTA). Education Minister Ranoj Pegu assured teachers that the delays were due to technical and procedural adjustments in the state’s financial systems, specifically the integration into the FinAssam portal, and not due to any uncertainty regarding their salaries.Key details
The special recruitment drive targets 35,000 contractual Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) teachers. These new positions are exclusively for existing contractual teachers. The recruitment process is slated for completion within four to five months from June 27, 2026. This timeline suggests a swift transition for the eligible educators. The creation of these new regular posts will lead to the dissolution of an equivalent number of contractual positions, marking a complete shift in employment status for the beneficiaries.Reactions
The announcement of regularisation has been met with a mix of relief and continued demands from various teacher associations. While the overall move towards permanent employment is welcomed, some organisations have voiced concerns regarding the terms of regularisation.However, leaders of teacher bodies have previously expressed reservations about conditions attached to regularisation. Trailukya Deka, President of the All Assam Primary TET Qualified Teachers Association, stated in July 2024 that while regularisation is a legal right, the government’s approach of creating new posts and asking teachers to reapply, potentially with revised pay scales, was an “injustice.” He also highlighted that contractual teachers under SSA and state pool teachers were engaged differently and should not be regularised in the same manner. Kulajit Thakuria, General Secretary of the Sadou Asom Prathamik TET Uttirna Sikhak Samaj, noted in November 2023 that many senior contractual teachers, who had received multiple annual increments, stood to lose a “considerable amount of salary” if their previous service length and pay scales were not protected during regularisation. He asserted that teachers are not against regularisation but find pay cuts unacceptable.“We have decided to open 35,000 new vacancies for regular teachers under SSA, exclusively for contractual teachers to apply,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, outlining the government’s approach.