When Dhananjay Gupta, a veteran organizer of the Shikshamitra (teacher‑friend) movement, set up a peaceful sit‑in at Eco Garden in Lucknow on 27 May 2025, the headline was simple: qualified teachers are being denied permanent posts.
Gupta and more than a hundred fellow candidates – all of whom have cleared both the State Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CT ET) – have been camping out for weeks, demanding that the Uttar Pradesh government honour its promise of 69,000 sanctioned teaching vacancies. Their protest gained a political edge after a failed attempt to “encircle” the residence of Sandeep Singh, the state’s Education Minister, on 25 Oct 2025. Police escorted the demonstrators back to Eco Garden, where they resumed their stand.
Background: CT ET, TET and the Uttar Pradesh Recruitment Crunch
Since the 2024 policy overhaul, candidates must clear two exams to qualify for a regular post: the state‑run TET and the national CT ET, overseen by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Paper I targets teachers for grades 1‑5, while Paper II covers grades 6‑8. Both papers are offline, OMR‑based, 150 minutes long, and offered in English and Hindi. A minimum of 60 percent is required to be deemed eligible for a teaching job.
Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, announced a hiring drive for 69,000 teachers in early 2025. However, activists argue that reservation quotas have been skewed, leaving many general‑category candidates on the sidelines. The controversy intensified after the Allahabad High Court ruled in favour of reserved‑category aspirants, a decision now pending before the Supreme Court of India.
The Eco Garden Protest
On the morning of 27 May, Gupta and his fellow “Shikshamitra” candidates unfurled a banner that read “Qualified → Permanent → Now”. They have set up a makeshift camp with tents, a small PA system, and a chalkboard listing their demands. The list includes:
- Immediate regularisation of all CT ET‑qualified teachers in the 69,000‑vacancy pool.
- A transparent, merit‑based reservation formula that aligns with the High Court’s order.
- Active legal representation by the state in the Supreme Court proceedings.
- Submission of a formal memorandum to Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister, seeking central‑government intervention.
Gupta warned that if the government fails to back the teachers in the Supreme Court, the movement could resort to “collective self‑immolation” – a stark, albeit symbolic, threat that has sent ripples through the state bureaucracy.
Legal Battles: From Allahabad to the Supreme Court
The reservation dispute hinges on whether the 69,000 posts are allocated strictly according to the 2024 reservation matrix or if ad‑hoc adjustments favor certain categories. The High Court’s judgment upheld the latter’s claim, citing constitutional safeguards for SC/ST/OBC candidates. The state appealed, and the case now sits on a docket that could stretch into 2026.
Legal experts, such as Anita Verma, a senior advocate at the Supreme Court, note that the court usually defers to state‑level reservation policies unless there’s a clear violation of the Constitution. “If the Uttar Pradesh government does not present a robust defense, the Supreme Court may direct a re‑allocation of the vacancies,” Verma said during a recent press briefing.
Government Response and Political Stakes
In a statement released on 3 June 2025, the Uttar Pradesh government said it was "committed to a fair recruitment process" and would "review" the protestors’ memorandum. The district magistrate’s office (Lucknow DM Office) has scheduled a meeting with Gupta’s delegation for 10 June.
Political analysts see this as a test for the ruling party ahead of the 2027 state elections. “Education is a flashpoint in Uttar Pradesh. If the government appears weak on teachers’ issues, it could erode support among a crucial voter base,” observed Rohit Mehta, a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Studies.
Potential Fallout and Expert Analysis
If the protest escalates, schools across the state could face a shortage of qualified staff, especially as the next CT ET session is slated for August 2025 (notification due early July). Teachers who are already on contract may walk out, leading to disruptions for millions of students.
Education economist Dr. Sunita Rao warns that “a prolonged stalemate could push the state’s literacy initiatives off‑track and invite central‑government scrutiny.” She recommends that the state set up an independent oversight committee to audit the reservation allocations.
What’s Next? Timeline of Key Events
- 27 May 2025 – Protest begins at Eco Garden.
- 25 Oct 2025 – Attempted encirclement of Education Minister’s residence.
- 3 Jun 2025 – State issues a statement promising a review.
- 10 Jun 2025 – Planned meeting between DM office and protest leaders.
- Mid‑2025 – Supreme Court hearing on reservation policy.
- Aug 2025 – CT ET examination for the July session.
All eyes are now on the Lucknow DM office and the Supreme Court’s eventual verdict. For the hundreds of teachers camped at Eco Garden, the hope is simple: a seat at the school desk, not a seat on the protest ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are teachers protesting despite passing CT ET?
Even after clearing CT ET and TET, many candidates haven’t received permanent appointments because the state’s reservation formula allegedly favours certain categories, leaving qualified general‑category teachers without jobs.
What legal avenues have the teachers pursued?
They obtained a favourable ruling from the Allahabad High Court, which upheld reservation rights for reserved‑category aspirants. The case is now before the Supreme Court, where they seek a directive for fair allocation of the 69,000 posts.
How could the protest impact students?
If the stalemate continues, schools may face a shortage of qualified teachers, especially when the upcoming CT ET session rolls out in August 2025. This could lead to larger class sizes and lower teaching quality for millions of children.
What are the government’s next steps?
The Uttar Pradesh government has pledged a review of the protestors’ demands and scheduled a meeting with the protest leaders at the Lucknow DM office on 10 June 2025. A formal response is expected after the Supreme Court hearing.
Will the Prime Minister intervene?
The protestors plan to hand a memorandum to Narendra Modi asking for central‑government oversight. While no official response has been announced, past interventions in similar state‑level education disputes suggest possible involvement.