Sunil Chadha
Shimla: In a significant step to ensure uninterrupted learning in government educational institutions, the Himachal Pradesh Government has announced that teachers and teaching faculty retiring during the ongoing academic session 2025–26 will be re-employed on a sessional basis until the completion of the academic year.
The notification, issued by the Finance (Regulations) Department, states that all government teachers from the Education Department, Technical Education, AYUSH Education, and Medical Education wings who reach the age of superannuation between the date of the notification and the last month of the ongoing session will continue in service.
They will be deemed “sessional re-employed” unless they choose to voluntarily opt out.
According to the order, re-employed teachers will be paid remuneration equivalent to the difference between their last drawn salary and the pension admissible to them.
Their other retiral benefits such as gratuity, leave encashment, provident fund, and commutation of pension will be settled only after the completion of their re-employment period.
Teachers who wish to opt out of this arrangement may do so by submitting their request at least 60 days before their superannuation date, using the prescribed proforma.
Those whose retirement falls within 60 days of the notification’s issue can exercise this option before their retirement date or shortly after.
The move, officials said, is aimed at preventing academic disruptions often caused by mid-session retirements, particularly in professional and technical streams where experienced faculty play a vital role in maintaining teaching standards.
By extending the service of such teachers, the state seeks to safeguard both students’ academic interests and institutional stability.
The notification also clarifies that the end date of the re-employment will coincide with the conclusion of the ongoing academic session, as defined under the official academic calendar.
This decision comes amid growing concerns over staff shortages in government institutions and is being viewed as a pragmatic step to ensure that classes continue smoothly without being affected by administrative gaps created due to faculty retirements.
