Tripura High Court Upholds Government-acquired School Teachers Transfer Policy, Says Government Can Amend Rules for Better Education System

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, February 27, 2026

The Tripura High Court has upheld the state government’s authority to amend service rules for teachers in government-acquired schools, observing that regulatory changes are permissible if they are aimed at improving the quality of education.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justice Biswajit Palit delivered the judgment in a batch of cases concerning the transfer and promotion policies of postgraduate teachers yesterday.

The petitions were filed by several teachers, including Navamita Ray, Manas Das and Anirban Das, who are serving in government-acquired schools such as Shankaracharya Vidyaniketan, Netaji Vidyaniketan and Darchawi Christian Higher Secondary School.

These teachers had originally been appointed as Postgraduate Teachers (PGTs) in government-acquired schools. During the previous Left Front regime, teachers of such schools generally continued in the same institution without transfer.

However, in 2022, the state government revised the transfer and promotion rules for teachers of government-acquired schools in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020. Following the revised policy, the Education Department issued transfer orders on June 26, 2024, shifting nine postgraduate teachers to other government-acquired schools based on student strength and institutional requirements.

Under the revised rules, postgraduate teachers seeking promotion to the post of Assistant Headmaster must, Secure at least 50% marks in postgraduate examinations

Possess a BEd degree

Have a minimum of seven years of service

Be considered on the basis of seniority

The petitioners argued that when they joined service, there was no requirement of 50% marks in post-graduation or a BEd degree for promotion. They contended that the 2005 rules should apply to them and that transfers to other schools would affect their seniority and promotional prospects.

They further claimed that a transfer would effectively reset their seniority in the new institution, putting them at a disadvantage.

Government’s Stand

Appearing for the state, Advocate General Shaktimoy Chakraborty, along with senior government advocates, argued that teacher transfers were essential in the interest of students. The government maintained that teachers were posted in schools with higher student enrolment and rationalized where student strength was low, ensuring optimal utilization of teaching resources.

The state also defended the revised promotion criteria as necessary for maintaining academic standards and improving institutional leadership.

After hearing both sides, the High Court ruled in favour of the state government.

The Bench observed that:

The government has the authority to amend service rules in the interest of improving education.

Rules cannot remain static and must evolve with changing educational needs.

Transfers aimed at rational distribution of teachers based on student strength are justified.

Uniform rules must apply to all teachers.

The Court also expressed dissatisfaction over the 16-month stay on transfer orders granted earlier to three teachers on medical grounds. It vacated the stay and directed them to join their new places of posting like other transferred teachers.

Importantly, the Court clarified that transferred teachers would retain their original seniority from the date of their initial appointment. They would not be treated as junior merely because of a change in school.

The Bench further upheld the mandatory requirement of 50% marks in post-graduation and a BEd degree for promotion to Assistant Headmaster.

The ruling reinforces the state’s power to reform administrative and academic frameworks in government-acquired schools. By endorsing the revised transfer and promotion policy, the High Court has emphasized that educational reform and student welfare take precedence over institutional rigidity.

The judgment is expected to have wide implications for teacher management, promotion structures, and administrative reforms in government-acquired schools across Tripura.

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