Guwahati: The Assam government will implement new policies for the appointment of teachers and Grade IV employees in schools by 2026, following the recently concluded Assembly elections, with a significant emphasis on prioritising local residents for Grade IV positions, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced.
This policy shift aims to streamline the recruitment process and address long-standing concerns regarding local employment opportunities, particularly in lower-level government posts. The move is expected to impact thousands of job aspirants across the state, offering a new framework for securing government service.
What was announced
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on November 28, 2024, that new policies for teacher and Grade IV appointments in schools would be rolled out by 2026, after the Assam Assembly elections. Speaking at an event in Guwahati, Sarma highlighted a new system for Grade IV positions, stating that school principals would directly employ local residents for these roles.
The Chief Minister further clarified that this policy would extend beyond schools to include hospitals and other government institutions, ensuring that Grade IV posts are reserved for local candidates. This initiative aims to decentralise the recruitment process for such positions. Earlier, Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu had also indicated that Grade IV positions in schools would be outsourced, with a preference for local candidates.
Why it matters
The announcement holds significant implications for employment in Assam, particularly for local youths seeking government jobs. Chief Minister Sarma noted that traditional recruitment methods often place local candidates at a disadvantage. The new system, which enables direct employment by school principals for Grade IV positions, seeks to overcome this challenge by guaranteeing opportunities for local residents.
This policy is part of the state government’s broader commitment to empowering its youth with sustainable employment options. The decentralised approach for Grade IV recruitment is expected to make government jobs more accessible at the grassroots level, fostering local economic participation.
Background
The Assam government has undertaken several significant recruitment drives and policy reforms in recent years. On March 12, 2026, Chief Minister Sarma distributed appointment letters to over 5,500 individuals in the education department, bringing the total number of government appointments during his tenure to 1,64,359. This figure surpassed the government’s earlier promise of creating one lakh jobs.
Looking ahead, the Chief Minister has pledged to create another 2 lakh corruption-free government job opportunities during the 2026-2031 term. In February 2026, the government announced a major recruitment drive for approximately 75,000 teacher and lecturer posts for the year. Sarma also stated in March 2026 that the government aims to recruit another 65,000 teachers over the next five years to ensure quality education for every child in Assam.
The emphasis on local employment is not new. In August 2024, Chief Minister Sarma indicated that a new domicile policy would soon be introduced, making only those born in Assam eligible for state government jobs. This policy was aimed at providing a significant advantage to local youths. Furthermore, the Assam government reinforced its two-child policy for eligibility in government jobs, self-help groups, and electoral participation through an amendment notified on December 5, 2025, with certain communities receiving relaxations.
The announcement of new policies comes after the 2026 Assam Legislative Assembly elections, which were held on April 9, 2026, with results declared on May 4, 2026. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a decisive victory, winning 102 out of 126 seats, with the BJP alone winning 82 seats.
The education sector has also seen other reforms. In November 2025, Education Minister Ranoj Pegu tabled the Assam Education Bill in the Legislative Assembly, proposing reforms to the provincialisation process and easing teacher transfer norms. The Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB) also unveiled sweeping reforms in April 2026, including stricter rules for passing examinations and phasing out the existing vocational examination format.
Key details
The new recruitment policies for teachers and Grade IV employees are slated for implementation by 2026, following the state Assembly elections. A key feature of the Grade IV recruitment will be the direct employment model, where school principals will be empowered to appoint local residents.
This approach is intended to ensure that local candidates, who may sometimes be overlooked in broader competitive examinations, receive priority for these positions. The policy’s extension to various government institutions, including schools and hospitals, underscores a statewide commitment to local employment for Grade IV roles.
Reactions
While the government focuses on future policies, discontent has been observed among some teachers affected by past decisions. In November 2024, the Sadou Axom Pradeshikrito Shikshanusthanor Pora Banchito Shikshak Karmaschari Santha held a press conference, highlighting the plight of nearly 5,800 teachers who were reportedly left jobless due to the Assam Education (Provincialisation of Services of Teachers and Re-organisation of Educational Institutions) Act, 2017.
“We are recognised teachers with government credentials, but the 2017 Act has shut down schools or merged them, taking away our livelihoods,” an anonymous teacher said in November 2024. “We’ve devoted 25-30 years to teaching, but now, as we age, the government has discarded us.”
The group had submitted a memorandum of grievances to the Chief Minister on September 5, 2024, and warned of protests if their demands were not addressed.
What’s next
The formalisation and implementation of these new recruitment policies are expected to take place after the 2026 Assembly elections. The government will likely issue detailed notifications and guidelines outlining the specific procedures for teacher appointments and the direct employment mechanism for Grade IV positions in the coming months.
Sources & References
Source: Assam Chief Minister’s Announcement on Teacher and Grade IV Posts