UP Teacher Recruitment Protest Explained: Why aspirants are demanding action before SC hearing

The long-running controversy surrounding the 69,000 assistant teacher recruitment in Uttar Pradesh is back in the limelight as affected candidates staged a protest outside the residence of Education Minister Sandeep Singh in Lucknow on Monday. They demanded that the state government actively pursue the matter in the Supreme Court. The apex court is scheduled to hear the case today, and thousands of aspirants are awaiting clarity over the recruitment process.

During the protest, several candidates crawled on roads in the scorching summer heat towards the minister’s residence. Speaking to the media, they expressed frustration over repeated delays and the prolonged uncertainty surrounding the case. Protesters alleged that the state government has failed to effectively defend the interests of affected candidates before the Supreme Court. Many candidates said they had tried everything over the past several years but still had not received justice.

Also read NCERT opens admissions for RIE teacher education programmes; CEE 2026 exam on June 28

Protest intensifies

The controversy dates back to 2018, when the Yogi Adityanath government announced recruitment drive for 69,000 assistant teacher posts across Uttar Pradesh. Candidates who had qualified the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) were eligible to apply for the vacancies after which merit lists were prepared for appointments.

However, what triggered the dispute was the implementation of reservation norms during the recruitment process. Reserved category candidates alleged that the Uttar Pradesh Basic Education (Teachers) Service Rules, 1981 and the UP Reservation Rules, 1994 were violated during appointments. Candidates claimed that nearly 19,000 posts were filled in a way that deprived eligible OBC and Dalit candidates of selection benefits guaranteed under reservation rules.

UP teacher recruitment candidates stage protest in Lucknow (Image: IANS/X)

The issue has remained under legal scrutiny for several years. In 2024, the Allahabad High Court cancelled the June 2020 and January 2022 selection lists. The HC directed the state government to prepare a fresh list within three months in accordance with reservation provisions. However, the Supreme Court later stayed the High Court order, which further complicated the recruitment process.

Also read BPSE TRE 4: Teaching job aspirants protest delay in notification of recruitment exam

Candidates accuse government of inaction

The protest outside Education Minister's residence comes months after another large-scale demonstration was held outside the Vidhan Sabha in Lucknow on April 22. There, the candidates carried brooms and pots hung around their necks as a symbolic expression of protest. Earlier this year, reserved category candidates had announced a statewide agitation alleging prolonged government inaction and repeated adjournments in the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court hearing

With the matter scheduled for hearing in the Supreme Court on May 19, candidates say the hearing has become crucial for thousands of families affected by the prolonged dispute. Protesters argue that the controversy ha gone beyond employment and become an issue of social justice, particularly for aspirants from backward and Dalit communities.