In a significant move aimed at supporting teachers in aided degree colleges across Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi Adityanath cabinet, on Monday, approved the new Higher Service Rules 2024, which allow teachers to request transfers after just three years of service, reducing the previous minimum requirement of five years.
This decision is expected to provide notable relief, particularly to women teachers who are posted in distant districts, allowing them the opportunity to reunite with their families sooner.
Under the new Higher Service Rules 2024, teachers in aided degree colleges across the state, appointed on a regular basis and permanently posted, can now request a transfer after completing just three years of service, instead of the previous requirement of five years. The updated rules also stipulate that teachers are entitled to only one transfer during their entire career.
This decision by the Yogi government is intended to bring positive change within the teaching community, particularly benefiting women and others who face challenges working far from their families. This policy move is widely regarded as a step toward fostering balance and stability within the education system.
The Yogi government recently enacted the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission Act, 2023, which came into force on August 23, 2023. With this new legislation, the Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Service Commission Act, 1980 was repealed, effectively nullifying the transfer rules framed under the 1980 Act. Similarly, the rules set in 2005 have also been repealed, creating the need for a new regulatory framework.
A revamped system for selection within the education service has now been introduced under Section 31 (1) of the 2023 Act, aiming to streamline the transfer process for teachers. Under this new system, teachers seeking a transfer must obtain approval from both their college management and the university. Once approved, the application is to be submitted to the director of higher education for final processing. This change is expected to bring transparency, streamline the transfer process and minimise unnecessary delays.
Experts believe that this policy will enhance professional satisfaction among teachers. Additionally, the new rule supports women empowerment in education by offering greater flexibility for women teachers who are stationed away from their families. The decision is seen as a significant step toward creating a more balanced and improved educational framework within the state.
Experts also believe this initiative will not only foster a stable atmosphere in educational institutions across Uttar Pradesh but also strengthen student-teacher relationships, contributing positively to the overall educational experience in the state.
Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay said, “This change will not only elevate teachers’ satisfaction levels but also benefit students, as teachers will be able to perform their duties with greater ease and contentment”
The minister emphasised the revision of transfer policies for teachers in aided degree colleges would positively impact Uttar Pradesh’s education sector. “Working near their families will boost teachers’ satisfaction and enthusiasm, leading to improved quality in educational institutions across the state. This initiative by the Yogi government provides a meaningful uplift for the teachers community while promoting higher standards in education,” Upadhyay added.
The cabinet also approved a proposal to amend the Uttar Pradesh Retirement Benefits Rules, 1961. Under this amendment, if an employee dies while in service or after retirement without receiving their gratuity and has no surviving family members or nominees, the gratuity can now be paid to the individual designated in a succession certificate issued by a court.
