Supreme Court Orders Uttar Pradesh to Pay Primary Teachers ₹17,000 Monthly, Calls ₹7,000 Salary ‘Bonded Labour’
Court Slams State for Exploitative Practices Against Contractual Teachers
Arrears to Be Cleared Within Six Months, Teachers Deemed Permanent
By Legal Reporter
New Delhi: February 06, 2026:
In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India has come down heavily on the Uttar Pradesh government for paying contractual primary school teachers a meagre ₹7,000 per month for more than ten years. The Court described this as a form of “begar” (bonded labour) prohibited under Article 23 of the Constitution. The ruling ensures that thousands of teachers engaged under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Samagra Shiksha schemes will now receive ₹17,000 per month, with arrears to be paid within six months.
Background of the Case
- The teachers were appointed on 11-month contracts under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
- Despite the expiry of contracts, they continued teaching for years without salary revision.
- Their honorarium was fixed at ₹7,000 in 2013 and remained stagnant.
- The Project Approval Board (PAB) in 2017–18 had determined that the honorarium should be ₹17,000, but the state did not implement it.
- Teachers approached the courts, leading to the Supreme Court’s intervention.
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Supreme Court’s Observations
- The Bench of Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Prasanna B. Varale held that the practice of paying ₹7,000 was exploitative and unconstitutional.
- The Court said: “Fixing remuneration permanently at ₹7,000 for all times is a kind of forced labour amounting to begar.”
- It directed the state to pay ₹17,000 per month from April 1, 2026, with arrears cleared within six months.
- The Court also ruled that these teachers are deemed permanent employees after the expiry of their initial contracts.
Key Takeaways
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- Teachers entitled to ₹17,000 monthly salary from 2017–18 onwards.
- Arrears must be paid within six months.
- Teachers deemed permanent employees after contract expiry.
- State cannot cite lack of central funds as an excuse; it must pay first and recover later.
Why This Matters
- For teachers: Ensures financial dignity and recognition of their permanent role.
- For education: Better pay may improve morale and teaching quality in primary schools.
- For governance: Reinforces accountability of states in implementing the Right to Education Act, 2009.
Wider Implications
- National precedent: Other states may face similar challenges if they underpay contractual teachers.
- Judicial activism: The ruling strengthens constitutional protections against exploitative labour.
- Education reforms: The case highlights the need for regular salary revisions and better working conditions for teachers.
Expert Reactions
- Educationists welcomed the ruling, saying it will boost teacher morale.
- Legal experts noted that the judgment reinforces Article 23’s prohibition of forced labour.
- Teachers’ unions hailed the decision as a long-awaited victory for contractual instructors.
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Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s ruling marks a historic victory for thousands of primary school teachers in Uttar Pradesh. By declaring the practice of paying ₹7,000 per month as bonded labour, the Court has upheld the dignity of educators and reinforced constitutional protections. The directive to pay ₹17,000 per month with arrears will not only improve teachers’ lives but also strengthen the foundation of India’s education system.
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