SSA Teachers Regularization Stalled: High Court Stays Order in Chandigarh

In a major setback for hundreds of teachers working under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), the Punjab and Haryana High Court has put a hold on their regularization process.

Just a few months ago, a Single Judge bench had brought joy to over 700 teachers in Chandigarh by ordering the administration to regularize their jobs. However, a Division Bench has now stayed (paused) that order.

This legal battle affects teachers who have been serving for nearly two decades. Here is a simple explanation of what happened in court, why the government opposed the regularization, and what will happen next.

The Latest Court Order: What Happened?

On January 16, 2026, a Division Bench comprising Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor heard an appeal filed by the Chandigarh Administration.

The Administration was challenging an earlier order (from November 2025) that directed them to regularize the services of all SSA teachers who had completed 10 years of service.

• The Verdict: The High Court issued a “notice of motion” and stayed the operation of the previous judgment.
• The Meaning: This means the process of making these teachers permanent employees has been stopped immediately until the court decides the final outcome.

Why Did the Administration Oppose Regularization?

The Chandigarh Union Territory (UT) Administration presented strong arguments against making these teachers permanent. Their main points in court were:

1. Central Scheme: They argued that SSA (now Samagra Shiksha) is a “Centrally Sponsored Scheme.” It is funded by the Central Government, not just the UT.
2. Separate Cadre: The government claimed that posts under SSA were never merged with the regular teaching cadre of the Chandigarh Education Department.
3. No Sanctioned Posts: The UT counsel argued that there is no official policy or “sanctioned posts” to absorb these contractual teachers into the permanent government workforce. Therefore, the teachers cannot claim regularization as a “legal right.”

The Teachers’ Argument: “We Are Not Backdoor Entrants”

The teachers, represented by their legal counsel, have a very different view. They have been fighting this battle for years.

• Long Service: Most of these teachers were appointed between 2005 and 2014. They have given over 15-20 years of service to government schools.
• Proper Selection: Unlike some contractual jobs given without interviews, SSA teachers argued they were hired through a proper selection process (public advertisement, written tests, and merit lists).
• Equal Work: They perform the same duties as regular teachers but are denied the same security and benefits.

The earlier Single Judge order had agreed with the teachers, stating that the administration cannot “misuse” contractual labels to exploit workers for decades.

Impact on 700+ Families

This stay order has caused anxiety among the teaching community in Chandigarh.

• Job Security: The hope of becoming permanent government employees is now delayed again.
• Financial Loss: Regular employees get better perks, pension benefits, and allowances compared to contractual SSA staff.
• Future Uncertainty: Many of these teachers are aging and cannot apply for other government jobs now.

What Happens Next?

The case is not over yet. The High Court has only “paused” the order, not cancelled it permanently.

• Next Hearing Date: The court has listed the matter for a final hearing on March 25, 2026.
• The Process: On this date, both sides (Teachers and Administration) will present their final arguments. The court will then decide whether to cancel the stay or overturn the regularization order completely.

Until March 25, the status quo remains, and the teachers will continue working as contractual employees.

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