Jagesh Rava v. State of Meghalaya and Ors

HIGH COURT OF MEGHALAYA AT SHILLONG

PIL No.5/2026 Date of order: 13.07.2026

Jagesh Rava ..... Petitioner

Vs.

¶1State of Meghalaya, represented by Chief Secretary to the Govt. of Meghalaya, Shillong.

¶2Commissioner and Secretary, Education Department, Govt of Meghalaya, Shillong.

¶3Director of School Education & Literacy, Meghalaya, Shillong.

¶4District School Education Officer, West Garo Hills District, Tura.

¶5Secretary, School Managing Committee, Janapriya Higher Secondary School, Bholarbhita, West Garo Hills District, Meghalaya. ..... Respondents Coram:

Hon'ble Mrs. Justice Revati Mohite Dere, Chief Justice

Hon'ble Mr. Justice W. Diengdoh, Judge Appearance:

For the Petitioner : Mr. S. Dey, Adv

For the Respondents : Mr. N.D. Chullai, AAG with

Mr. E.R. Chyne, GA

Mr. M.L. Nongpiur, Adv for R/5

JUDGMENT: (per the Hon'ble, the Chief Justice): (Oral)

Heard learned counsel for the parties.

Serial No.06 Daily List

¶2By the aforesaid Public Interest Litigation, the petitioner essentially seeks appointment of teachers in secondary schools in strict compliance to the Reservation Policy of Meghalaya and roster system. The aforesaid PIL (PIL) has been filed since according to the petitioner, teachers are being appointed to higher secondary schools without adhering to the State Reservation Policy and roster system.

¶3Pursuant thereto, we had requested Mr. Chullai, learned AAG to take instructions. Accordingly, learned AAG has tendered an Order issued by the Director of School Education and Literacy, Meghalaya, Shillong, dated 17th November, 2025. The said order reads thus:

"In reference to the Government of Meghalaya, Education Department Order No.EDN.79/2025/20 dated 18th July, 2025, and its subsequent partial modification vide Office Order No.EDN.79/2025/21 dated 31st July, 2025, it is hereby notified that:

Henceforth, School Managing Committees (SMCs) shall not be required to obtain prior approval from the District School Education Officers (DSEOs) or from the Directorate of School Education & Literacy (DSEL) for the advertisement and recruitment of teachers against sanctioned vacant posts in Government Aided and Deficits Schools.

Accordingly, all District School Education Officers (DSEO) are directed not to forward any applications or proposals regarding such recruitments to this Directorate. The concerned SMCs shall undertake the recruitment process in compliance with all prescribed norms and standards, including adherence to NCTE regulations, the State Reservation Policy, and other relevant rules and guidelines issued by the Government from time to time.

DSEOs shall, however, continue to oversee and ensure that due procedure and transparency are maintained in all recruitments processes undertaken by the SMCs.

Sd/- Shri Banteilang Kharshandi, Director of School Education and Literacy, Meghalaya, Shillong"

¶4The said order is taken on record.

¶5In view of the aforesaid, it is clear that the recruitment process is required to be done in accordance with the prescribed norms and standards, including adherence to NCTE regulations, State Reservation Policy and other relevant rules and guidelines issued by the government from time to time. The concerned schools are bound by the same.

¶6In view of the aforesaid, nothing survives for further consideration in the PIL.

¶7The PIL stands disposed of accordingly.

(W. Diengdoh) (Revati Mohite Dere)

Judge Chief Justice

Meghalaya

13.07.2026 "Lam DR-PS" Date: 2026.07.13 19:26:49 IST