Lok Sabha Question No. 1458 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Impact of Prolonged Vacancies of Academic Staff in Government Schools
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar, Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1458 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## Impact of Prolonged Vacancies of Academic Staff in Government Schools

1458.  Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth: Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the adverse impact of prolonged teacher and principal vacancies on student learning outcomes, attendance and overall academic performance in Central Government schools in the country, if so, the details thereof and the manner in which this crisis is being addressed indicating the timeline for filling up the vacancies;
- (b) the reasons for not conducting detailed audit of vacant teacher and principal posts in all  Central  Government  schools  in  the  country  and  the  absence  of  accountability mechanisms for delayed appointments;
- (c) whether it is a fact that minority or underrepresented groups continue to face systemic delays in teacher promotions and principal appointments in Central institutions, if so, the reasons therefor along with the urgent steps taken by the Government to ensure fairness;
- (d) the reasons for persistence judicial and administrative bottlenecks preventing timely recruitment  of  teachers/principal  and  failure  of  the  Government  to  implement remedial/interim  arrangement  such  as  acting  principals/senior  teachers  in  central schools in the country; and
- (e) whether it is a fact that the Government has not adopted fast-track recruitment or other innovative solutions including additional resources/administrative support to fill critical teacher  and  headmaster  positions  despite  repeated  warnings  that  schools  cannot function effectively with such prolonged vacancies, if so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a)  to  (e)  Central  Government  Schools  namely  Kendriya  Vidyalayas  (KVs)  and Navodaya  Vidyalayas  (NVs)  are  under  the  Department  of  School  Education  and Literacy, Ministry of Education.

Vacancies keep on arising due to opening of new KVs and NVs, retirement, resignation,  promotion  of  employees,  transfer,  employees  going  on  lien  to  another department  and  up-gradation  of  schools.  Filling  up  of  vacancies  is  a  continuous process and efforts are  made to fill  up  the  vacancies  as  per the  provisions  of  the relevant  recruitment  rules  of  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  Sangathan  (KVS)  and  Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS). In case of a vacancy of Principal in KV/NV, Vice Principal of the Vidyalaya is deputed as In-charge Principal until the post is filled on a regular basis. Teachers are also engaged on contractual basis for temporary duration by KVS and NVS to ensure that the teaching-learning process is not hampered. Efforts are made to recruit regular teachers at the earliest so that interest of students does not suffer. The consistently high percentage results achieved by KVs and NVs over the years clearly demonstrate that academic standards and students' performance are duly maintained and are not compromised. The reservation norms as notified by the Government of India from time to time are being scrupulously adhered to by KVS and NVS in matters of recruitment and promotion. As  per  information  received  from  KVS  and  NVS,  a  total  of  8714  teaching vacancies including 161 vacancies of Principals in respect of KVS and 5045 teaching vacancies including 93 vacancies of Principals in respect of NVS have been notified in the month of November, 2025 for the direct recruitment. The Tier-I examination has been conducted in January, 2026. In addition to above, a notification has also been issued by KVS in the month of December, 2025 for filling up of 2153 teaching vacancies including 157 vacancies of Principals in KVS through Limited Departmental Examination/Limited Departmental Competitive Examination.

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