In a press release issued by the School Education Department, it has specified that the RMSA Graduate Teachers of 2016 batch were engaged as contractual teachers in 2016 under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the erstwhile Ministry of Human Resource Development, GOI. These Graduate Teachers were recruited through an open recruitment process of advertisement and written examination conducted by the Nagaland Education Mission Society. On selection, fully understanding the nature of engagement, the teachers accepted the terms and conditions supported by Affidavit acknowledging that their tenure was co terminus with the scheme and the salary was subject to annual fund release of the Ministry, GOI. Accordingly. they were engaged by the Nagaland Education Mission Society, the implementing agency. The engagements so made were against posts created for the CSS Scheme and not against substantive posts under the State Cadre of the Department of School Education. On the acceptance of the service conditions, the teachers were paid a fixed salary of Rs 31,315/- PM.
It has further stated that in 2018, with the integration of the three flagship CSS programmes viz RMSA, SSA and Teacher Education into Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, GOl reduced the salary support for Graduate Teachers to Rs 25000/- PM. Consequently, the salary of the RMSA Teachers of 2016 was reduced to Rs 25000/- PM. Aggrieved, the petitioners approached the Hon'ble Guwahati High Court, Kohima Bench challenging the reduction in pay and seeking direction for grant of scale pay. On 20th May 2020, the Hon'ble High Court quashed the OM on reduction of pay but did not agree to the grant of scale pay.
Therefore, in compliance to the Court's Order, the Nagaland Education Mission Society continued to pay the RMSA Teachers Rs 31,315/- PM till date, with partial funding from Ministry of Education, GOl and the shortfall met by the State Government.
The RMSA teachers filed another case WA © NO.((K) 2020 in 2022 seeking grant of pay band Rs 9300-34800/- with GP Rs 4200/- PM. The Hon'ble Court in its order dated 16.3.2022 directing the Respondents to grant scale pay.
The press release additionally stated that since 2022-23, GOI changed the funding pattern for financial support towards teachers salary with 5 % annual incremental reduction leading to decrease in Salary support in absolute terms from Rs 25,000/- PM to Rs 18,750/- PM as on date. Against the initial funding ratio of 90: 10 between Centre /State, the ratio is now 60 : 40 with increased financial burden on the State Government.
In this backdrop, the State filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court against the verdict of the Hon'ble Guwahati High Court. On 20.5.2025, the Supreme Court upheld the order of the Guwahati High Court. Upon receipt of the Hon'ble Supreme Court's order, the State Government preferred to file a Review Petition on 14.8.2025.
To resolve the impasse, a meeting was held on 2nd & 3rd September 2025 with the aggrieved Teachers in the presence of Adviser, School Education & SCERT requesting them to resume classes since the State Government has preferred to file a Review Petition.
The Department also specified that on 11th September 2025, a joint meeting was convened by Commissioner & Secretary, School Education with representatives of ANSTA, RMSA 2016 batch and officers of School Education Department. In the meeting the aggrieved teachers were apprised of the status and assured that once the Hon'ble Supreme Court passes its order in the Review Petition, the Government shall honour the Court's Verdict and requested them to resume their duties.
(DIPR)