Big News: Himachal Withdraws Seniority and TGT Scale Benefits for Teachers, Orders Issued

Shimla, July 17:
In a major setback to thousands of teachers in Himachal Pradesh, the Directorate of Education has issued orders to immediately withdraw seniority and TGT (Trained Graduate Teacher) scale benefits previously granted. This decision comes in compliance with a recent High Court ruling. A directive has been sent to all Deputy Directors stating that teachers whose services were regularized after December 12, 2003, will no longer be considered regular from their date of appointment. Only those teachers who were appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Recruitment and Conditions of Service of Government Employees Act, 2024 (as amended in 2025) will be entitled to benefits such as seniority, pay increments, and promotions.

This move follows High Court judgments in cases including LPA Anju Devi vs. State, LPA Manju Devi vs. State, and others. The court held that such appointments should be considered as contractual initially, and benefits like seniority and promotion would be granted only after due regularization.

The circular also mentions that in some cases, LT and Shastri teachers’ services had been considered regular from 2009, and they were claiming TGT scale benefits. However, based on the High Court’s rulings in the aforementioned cases, such claims will now be rejected and any benefits already granted will be withdrawn.

The Director of Education has instructed that any TGT scale or seniority benefits already given in such cases be immediately revoked, and that no such benefits be extended in the future.

The order was issued on Thursday and copies have been forwarded to the Secretary (Education), Government of Himachal Pradesh, District Attorney (Education), Directorate Nodal Officer (IT Cell), and other concerned departments.