Kohima: The Nagaland RMSA Teachers Association, representing the 2016 batch, has formally requested Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to authorize a court-mandated pay scale for graduate teachers. Despite over a decade of service in Government High Schools, these educators remain on fixed pay regardless of performing the same duties as their regular counterparts.
The teachers were recruited through a competitive process to serve in schools upgraded under the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan. Their duties include classroom instruction, examination invigilation, and student mentorship. The association notes that their roles were sanctioned by the State Cabinet and key government departments to meet permanent academic needs.
This request follows a lengthy eight-year legal battle. In January 2026, the Supreme Court of India dismissed both a Special Leave Petition and a Review Petition, effectively upholding a March 2022 Gauhati High Court judgment that affirmed the principle of Equal Pay for Equal Work. Despite these rulings, the teachers report that their pay has not been adjusted. The association expressed hope that the state will resolve the issue with "wisdom, fairness, and statesmanship" after years of uncertainty.
The group also pointed to precedents in neighboring states, such as Arunachal Pradesh, where similar teaching staff have already seen their positions regularized. By appealing to the Chief Minister, the association seeks an end to the administrative stalling and demands clarity on their future service conditions.
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