The Nagaland Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) 2016 batch teachers have expressed strong resentment over the State Government’s continued delay in implementing scale pay, despite the Supreme Court upholding the Guwahati High Court judgment in their favor.

At a press conference held at Commissioner’s Circuit House on August 16, the Association warned of launching phase-wise democratic agitations, including a pen-down strike, if their demands are not met by August 25.

President of the RMSA 2016 Batch Teachers’ Association, Imlitemjen, said the teachers had submitted representations as early as June 2025 but received no response. An ultimatum served on August 13 gave the Government seven working days to act, failing which the teachers would resort to agitation and may also boycott the Teachers’ Day celebration.

Reiterating their demand, Imlitemjen reminded that the Supreme Court on May 20, 2025, upheld the Guwahati High Court’s March 16, 2022 order in favor of RMSA teachers, directing implementation of scale pay. “It has been three months since the judgment, but the Government has yet to take any action,” he said.

Briefing on the background of the RMSA teachers, Imlitemjen explained that the recruitment process began with an advertisement on December 14, 2013, though the salary details were not mentioned. In April 2014, during the 37th Project Approval Board meeting, the Ministry of Education had asked the State Government to make necessary corrections in the advertisement, but no changes were made. Written examinations were held in June 2014, results declared later, followed by viva voce in August 2015. On November 2015, results were declared, and the teachers were appointed based on post creation approved by the Finance Department on June 9, 2015.

He added that clearance was given by the P&AR on July 23, 2015, and the State Cabinet also approved the creation of 627 Graduate Teacher posts under RMSA on October 5, 2015. Subsequently, the Department of School Education issued a notification on October 28, 2015, and appointment orders were given on February 9, 2016. However, on the day of appointment, the teachers were informed that their salary would be fixed at Rs. 31,315.

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According to Imlitemjen, the approved pay scale for these posts was Rs. 9,300–34,800 with a grade pay of Rs. 4,200, as cleared by Finance, P&AR, Cabinet, and the School Education Department. “When all four authorities, including the Cabinet, had given clearance for scale pay, how come our appointment orders carried only Rs. 31,315? There are no documents stating the salary should be fixed at Rs. 31,000,” he said.

Citing the Cabinet memorandum dated June 21, 2018, relating to SSA and RMSA teachers, he stressed that it clearly mentions the Government of India’s insistence on appointing teachers on a regular basis at par with State cadres, and not on fixed pay or contractual terms.

Highlighting disparities, Imlitemjen said out of 3,194 SSA posts, 3,147 teachers were appointed, and out of 820 RMSA posts, 210 teachers were appointed on regular basis. However, the latest batch of 610 RMSA teachers, including those appointed in 2016, were placed on contract with fixed pay.

He further pointed out that while the RMSA 2016 batch teachers initially received Rs. 31,315, the State Government issued an office memorandum in 2018 reducing it to Rs. 25,000. The Association approached the Government for dialogue, but with no positive response, they moved to court. After two years of hearings, the Kohima Bench of the Guwahati High Court, on March 16, 2020, restored their previous salary.

The case continued with a writ appeal in 2020, and on March 16, 2022, the Guwahati High Court once again ruled in favor of the teachers. The State Government, however, challenged the order in the Supreme Court on July 11, 2022. After three years of legal proceedings, the Supreme Court, on May 20, 2025, dismissed the State’s appeal and upheld the High Court’s ruling, directing that RMSA teachers be given scale pay.

Despite the ruling, Imlitemjen lamented that three months have passed without any action from the Government. “We were appointed in February 2016 and have served for nine years and six months. Out of this, more than seven years have been spent fighting legal battles. Only for the first two years did we serve without litigation,” he said.

Describing the struggle as financially exhausting, he stated that their entire salaries were often spent on legal expenses in the High Court and Supreme Court. “We are left with nothing after fighting this case,” he added.

He emphasized that RMSA 2016 batch teachers are currently serving in 133 Government High Schools across Nagaland, teaching Classes 9 and 10, as well as lower classes. Their writ appeal was based on the principle of “equal pay for equal work,” comparing their situation with their SSA and RMSA counterparts of earlier batches, who have been regularized and given scale pay.

Imlitemjen also disclosed that teachers’ salaries have been pending since April 2025.

Supporting the president’s statement, RMSA spokesperson Renbemo L. Patton said the teachers have endured immense hardships for the past nine years and seven months. “Despite all the dissimilar and unfair treatment meted out to us, we have remained faithful and diligent in our duties till today,” he asserted.