Supreme Court Stays Tripura High Court Order on Fixed Pay for TET Teachers, Issues Notice to Teachers and State

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, February 20, 2026

The legal battle over the fixed pay policy for TET-qualified teachers in Tripura has now reached the Supreme Court of India. Acting on an appeal filed by the state government against a recent verdict of the Tripura High Court, the apex court has stayed the High Court’s judgment and issued notices to all concerned parties, including TET-qualified teachers.

The Attorney General of India represented the Tripura government in the matter before the Supreme Court. The State Law Secretary Ms Sankari Das worked tirelessly and stayed in Delhi for several days to pursue the case on behalf of the government.

Reportedly, in January 2026, the Tripura High Court delivered a landmark judgment declaring the state government’s five-year fixed salary policy for newly appointed employees, including TET-qualified teachers, unconstitutional.

The High Court ruled that the 2001 and 2007 government policies mandating fixed pay for five years violated constitutional principles. It held that newly appointed teachers are entitled to regular pay scales from their first day of service.

Arrears must be paid accordingly.

The judgment was widely seen as a major relief for hundreds of TET-qualified teachers across the state.

Challenging the High Court verdict, the Tripura government approached the Supreme Court, arguing that immediate implementation of the order would have serious financial and administrative implications.

After hearing the initial submissions, the Supreme Court issued a stay on the High Court’s directive and served notice to the TET teachers, directing them to file detailed responses. The Court has sought comprehensive submissions from all stakeholders before passing a final judgment.

The involvement of the Attorney General underscores the seriousness of the state’s legal challenge.

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