New Delhi, Delhi
The Supreme Court on Tuesday heard arguments in the Uttar Pradesh 69,000 Assistant Teacher Recruitment case. Senior advocate Shobha Gupta appeared on behalf of general category teachers who are currently employed and argued against the Allahabad High Court Division Bench judgment dated August 13, 2024. She maintained that her clients had been selected in accordance with the applicable rules.
During the hearing, the general category teachers alleged that candidates belonging to reserved categories had received the benefit of reservation twice. The senior counsel argued that reserved category candidates had received several concessions during the TET examination, including relaxation in age, examination fees and minimum qualifying marks. They were subsequently given further concessions in the written examination for the Assistant Teacher recruitment. According to the petitioners, these concessions went beyond mere relaxation and effectively amounted to reservation benefits.
The case is being heard by a bench comprising Justice S.V.N. Bhatti and Justice N.V. Anjaria. The bench is hearing petitions filed by unreserved category teachers who are currently employed and have challenged the Allahabad High Court Division Bench judgment.
The Allahabad High Court Division Bench had cancelled the selection list for the 69,000 teacher recruitment process and directed the Uttar Pradesh government to prepare a fresh merit list within three months. The court had instructed the government to follow the provisions of the Basic Education Rules, 1981, and the Reservation Rules, 1994.
During the initial hearing, the Supreme Court had granted an interim stay on the High Court’s order. Apart from the general category teachers currently in service, candidates from reserved categories have also filed intervention applications in the case.
Arguments on the merits of the case were heard on Tuesday. The submissions on behalf of the general category teachers will continue on Wednesday.
