Andhra Pradesh High Court Delays DSC Job Notification, Raises Qualification Concerns

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has deferred the state government’s DSC (District Selection Committee) job notification aimed at filling 6,100 teaching positions in state-run schools. The decision comes after concerns were raised regarding the eligibility criteria for secondary grade teacher (SGT) posts, specifically allowing candidates with B. Ed qualifications to apply, potentially affecting those with D. Ed qualifications. The court has adjourned the matter for eight weeks and directed the state government to adhere strictly to Supreme Court orders in the selection process.

Key Points:

1. Notification Set Aside: The High Court has set aside the DSC job notification issued by the Jagan Mohan Reddy government for recruiting teachers in various categories, including SGT, TGT, PGT, and principals.
2. Qualification Concerns: The decision to allow candidates with B. Ed qualifications to apply for SGT posts raised concerns, as it may contradict a Supreme Court order. Advocates argued that this could potentially disadvantage candidates with D. Ed qualifications.
3. Impact on Applicants: If B. Ed candidates are permitted to apply for SGT posts, it could deprive lakhs of candidates with D. Ed qualifications of the opportunity to compete for these positions.
4. Court’s Directive: The division bench, headed by Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Raghunandan Rao, directed the state government not to allow candidates with B. Ed qualifications to apply for SGT posts.
5. Compliance with Supreme Court Orders: The court emphasized the importance of strict compliance with Supreme Court orders in the selection process and urged the state government to adhere to these guidelines.
6. Adjournment: The court has adjourned the matter for eight weeks, providing time for further examination and resolution of the concerns raised.
7. Legal Representation: Advocate J. Sravan Kumar presented arguments on behalf of the petitioners, highlighting the potential contravention of the Supreme Court order. Advocate general S. Sriram represented the state government.

Significance: The court’s decision to delay the DSC job notification reflects concerns about the eligibility criteria and its alignment with legal directives. This development impacts the recruitment process for teaching positions in Andhra Pradesh’s state-run schools.