RMSA 2016 teachers’ scale pay demand awaits final ruling—Nagaland government

DIMAPUR — The department of School Education has issued another clarification in connection with the issue surrounding the RMSA 2016 batch of teachers.

According to the department, the teachers were engaged on February 9, 2016, under the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) scheme on a contractual basis, after they signed bond and declaration affidavits before a magistrate, agreeing to contractual terms.

Their appointments were co-terminus with the scheme, with a fixed monthly salary of INR 31,315, subject to release of funds from the Ministry of Education.

In 2018-19, RMSA, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Teacher Education were merged into Samagra Shiksha. With the merger, the ministry slashed central support for teacher salaries to INR25,000.

Also read: RMSA teachers dismiss Nagaland government clarification as ‘half cooked story’

RMSA-2016 teachers say Nagaland government defying court orders with ‘fixed pay’ argument

The state government, through office memoranda issued in August 2018, directed the RMSA teachers to accept the revised package.

However, the 2016 batch refused and approached the Gauhati High Court (Kohima Bench), which in May 2020 ordered the state to maintain their salaries, it stated.

In March 2022, the court further directed the government to grant scale pay in the pay band of INR 9,300–INR 34,800 with a grade pay of INR 4,200. The state appealed to the Supreme Court through a Special Leave Petition, which was dismissed on May 20, 2025.

Read more: RMSA 2016 pay row: Nagaland government clarifies status, urges teachers to resume duties

A review petition filed on August 14 is still pending.

Meanwhile, changes in the funding pattern under Samagra Shiksha since 2022-23 have reduced central support progressively by 5% annually, the department stated. 

In 2025-26, the support has been cut by 25%, lowering central contribution for teachers’ salaries from INR 25,000 to INR 18,750, with the state government bearing 60% of the burden.

Despite meetings held earlier this month between the department, the RMSA 2016 batch, and other stakeholders, no breakthrough has been achieved.

“The department is of the view that it is the constitutional right of the department to approach the higher court for review. At the same time, the department also apprised the teachers that once the court hearing takes place, the government shall in utmost seriousness consider all the demands of the teachers.

“Since the matter is in the court for disposal, the teachers should wait and also go back to their respective place and resume their duties,” it stated.