Odisha HC orders for Affidavit on Vacant Teacher Posts in Government Schools and Universities

Odisha HC orders for Affidavit on Vacant Teacher Posts: The Odisha High Court has directed the Chief Secretary and the Commissioner-cum-Secretary to the Chancellor of State Universities to be impleaded as parties in the case related to the filling up of thousands of vacancies of teachers. Both the chiefs have been directed to file an affidavit specifying the concrete steps taken to fill up 13,000 vacant teacher posts in state-run high schools and universities. The court took this decision as it was not satisfied with the partial compliance of its directive issued on September 23, 2025 .

Earlier, the court had directed the state government to furnish a detailed report on the existing vacancies and measures for recruitment. Two letters, one dated October 10 and another dated October 13, were submitted before the court showing that the vacant posts of teachers in government high schools are 5,565 . This includes 1,652 in fully aided high schools, 3,538 in newly-aided (block grant) high schools, and 505 in Sanskrit Tolls.

The situation in state public universities is also alarming. Out of 298 sanctioned posts of professors, 260 are lying vacant. Out of 591 posts of associate professors, 453 are not filled. Moreover, 1,404 posts out of 2,073 posts of assistant professors continue to be vacant. The court observed that this information was not satisfactory to take any positive action.

Justice Dixit Krishna Shripad ordered the Chief Secretary and the university chancellor to file affidavits before the next hearing on November 10, 2025, stating what steps are being taken precisely in filling these posts. The judge warned that failure to which he may have to take “stringent action” or “bitter criticism.”

The case originated out of a petition filed by Arpita Priyadarshini and three other unemployed individuals, who challenged the August 1, 2025, notification by the government permitting the appointment of 6,387 retired teachers as guest teachers in aided, newly-aided, and Sanskrit schools for the 2025-26 academic year.

The petition argued that this policy leaves out thousands of young, eligible aspirants who have passed the Odisha Secondary School Teacher Eligibility Test ( OSSTET ) and have BEd qualifications. The state government defended this policy, arguing that it is of a temporary nature to avoid disruption in the classrooms, while simultaneously assuring that regular recruitment was already in progress.

Keep visiting CollegeDekho for the latest Education News on entrance exams, board exams and admissions. You can also write to us at our email ID news@collegedekho.com.