Allahabad High Court Enforces BEd Mandate for UPPSC Teacher Recruitment
The Allahabad High Court has issued a clear directive regarding teacher appointments in Uttar Pradesh. The court states that individuals lacking a Bachelor of Education degree will not receive appointments for assistant teacher or trained graduate teacher positions. These posts are part of the examination-2024 organized by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission.
Court Directs Continuation of Selection Process with Strict Qualification
The court instructed the respondents to proceed with the selection process. However, it imposed a crucial condition. Only candidates possessing the BEd qualification will be eligible for final appointment. The UPPSC had initially listed the BEd degree as a preferred qualification for these teaching roles.
Several petitioners challenged this aspect of the advertisement. They argued that making the BEd degree merely preferential violated established norms. The petition came from Vinod Kumar Yadav and four other individuals.
Legal Challenge Based on NCTE Notification and Supreme Court Precedent
A division bench comprising Justice Saral Srivastava and Justice Sudhanshu Chauhan heard the writ petition. The bench issued a notice to the advocate general of Uttar Pradesh. It also directed the state government, the UPPSC, and other parties to file their replies.
The petitioners' counsel, Seemant Singh, presented a strong legal argument. He cited a National Council For Teacher Education notification from November 12, 2014. This notification prescribes BEd as an essential qualification for teacher appointments. The petitioners contended that the UPPSC's advertisement clause contradicted this mandatory requirement.
Furthermore, the counsel relied on a Supreme Court judgment. The case was APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University versus Jai Bharat College of Management and Engineering Technology. This 2021 ruling established that qualifications prescribed by the NCTE are binding on state governments. States cannot dilute these essential standards.
Court's Order and Future Hearing Date
The Allahabad High Court referenced its own earlier order from September 12, 2025. In that order, the court allowed the selection process to continue for assistant teacher computer posts. But it similarly barred the appointment of any candidate without a BEd degree.
In the current January 16 order, the court applied the same principle. It has scheduled the next hearing for March 13, 2026. This gives the state government and UPPSC time to prepare their responses.
The NCTE plays a vital role in this matter. It oversees teacher education across India. The council sets standards, regulations, and guidelines to ensure quality in teaching institutions. It also regularly updates these regulations and provides resources for educators.
This court directive reinforces the importance of standardized teacher qualifications. It ensures that recruitment processes align with national educational standards set by the NCTE.
