Paying Contract Teachers ₹7,000 a Month Is Like Forced Labour, Says Supreme Court; Orders ₹17,000 Salary With Arrears
New Delhi: In a major relief to thousands of contract teachers working in junior schools across Uttar Pradesh for over a decade, the Supreme Court of India on Wednesday strongly criticised the state government for paying them a meagre ₹7,000 per month, calling the practice “exploitative” and comparable to bonded labour.
A bench comprising Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice P. B. Varale ruled that these contract teachers are entitled to a monthly salary of ₹17,000 with effect from the financial year 2017–18. The court also directed that all pending arrears be cleared within six months.
Rejecting the arguments of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the apex court made it clear that the state cannot deny rightful payments on the ground that funds were not received under a centrally sponsored scheme.
The bench observed that keeping teachers on such low honorariums for more than ten years was not only unfair but also violated Article 23 of the Constitution, which prohibits forced labour.
It further noted that teachers play a crucial role in shaping young minds during the most formative years of life.
If the nation aspires for a better future, it must respect and fairly compensate those who silently build character and knowledge.
The court ordered that from April 1, 2026, all such contract teachers and instructors must be paid ₹17,000 per month regularly.
It also clarified that appointments termed as “contractual” effectively lose that nature once teachers continue beyond the initial 11-month period or extended contracts for several years.
Those who have worked continuously for over a decade, the bench said, should be treated as permanent employees, as the continuity of work itself leads to the creation of permanent posts.
Calling the verdict a significant victory for contract teachers, the court dismissed the Uttar Pradesh government’s appeal in its entirety.
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