Sainik School Jhunjhunu faces accusations of caste-based discrimination following a recent recruitment notification. The school advertised permanent teaching positions exclusively for the Unreserved (UR) category. Conversely, posts reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBC) , Scheduled Castes (SC) , and Scheduled Tribes (ST) were listed only as contractual, raising concerns about employment equity.
The official recruitment notification detailed vacant Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) positions across subjects like English, Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science. For UR candidates, these roles are classified as regular, providing a pay level-8 salary of Rs 47,600 per month, plus full allowances. These regular appointments offer job security and pathways to permanent employment after a mandatory probation period.
In stark contrast, the same PGT subjects advertised for OBC and SC categories are designated as contractual. These positions offer a consolidated monthly remuneration ranging from Rs 30,447 to Rs 71,400 , but lack the benefits and long-term stability associated with regular posts. This significant difference in employment terms, including pay structure and job security, is also evident in other teaching and non-teaching vacancies across various departments.
Tribal Army Condemns Discriminatory Policy
The Tribal Army, a prominent social media group advocating for reservation rights of indigenous people in India, widely shared the recruitment advertisement. The group publicly questioned whether “eligibility is being determined based on the caste.” They asserted that the policy fundamentally insults “the spirit of the Constitution.”
The group’s statement further claimed the recruitment approach “exposes the falsehood of the claim ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’,” a government slogan meaning ‘Collective Efforts, Inclusive Growth’. They expressed strong condemnation, stating, “If an institution from which education in equality, discipline, and justice should be imparted itself becomes a hub of discrimination, it is shameful for both the administrative and moral fabric of the country.” The Tribal Army affirmed that this policy not only “contradicts the spirit of reservation” but also directly challenges the core concept of social justice.
Sainik School Recruitment Guidelines
Sainik School Jhunjhunu, a residential school for boys in Rajasthan, operates under the Sainik Schools Society, part of the Ministry of Defence. The institution aims to provide public school education with a military focus, preparing students for defense services.
According to Sainik School rules and regulations, all regular appointments, excluding general employees, incorporate an All India Transferability clause. Regular posts are subject to a one-year probation period, which may extend by another year, before becoming permanent. All appointed staff members are expected to perform various duties essential for the efficient functioning of the residential school environment.
The rules concerning contractual posts specify that such positions are valid for a maximum period of one year from the date of appointment. Importantly, the Principal retains the authority to terminate the service of contractual staff at any point during this period. This provision highlights the precarious nature of contractual employment compared to the stability of regular posts.
Comparison of Employment Terms
The recruitment notification outlines distinct terms for regular and contractual positions based on candidate category:
| Category | Post Type | Pay Scale / Remuneration | Allowances | Job Security | Path to Permanence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | Regular | Level-8, Rs 47,600 (starting) | Full allowances | High | Yes (after probation) |
| OBC, SC, ST | Contractual | Consolidated Rs 30,447 – 71,400 | Consolidated pay only | Low (maximum one year, principal can terminate) | No |