68,500 Teacher Recruitment: Candidates Issue Ultimatum to UP Govt
Protesting candidates for the 68,500 teacher recruitment in Lucknow threaten hunger strike if the government doesn't release the schedule by Oct 25.
The tension in Lucknow has reached a boiling point as candidates awaiting the 68,500 teacher recruitment schedule have entered the 53rd day of their continuous protest at the Eco Garden. Frustrated by a perceived lack of action from the state administration, the protesters have now issued a stern ultimatum: announce the recruitment schedule by October 25, or face a massive hunger strike.
Hunger Strike Looming for Marginalized Categories
The agitation, which has persisted for nearly two months, is now entering a more critical phase. Candidates representing disabled categories and backward classes have declared that if the Uttar Pradesh government fails to meet the October 25 deadline, they will commence a hunger strike starting October 26. This move signals a desperate attempt to force the government's hand in resolving a long-standing recruitment deadlock.
The Core Demand: Qualifying Marks Relaxation
At the heart of the dispute is the demand for the implementation of an order by the State Backward Classes Commission. The protesters are seeking a 5% relaxation in qualifying marks, which would allow OBC candidates to qualify with 60 out of 150 marks (40%). The candidates insist that once this relaxation is applied, a revised selection list must be issued immediately.
High-Level Meetings and Unfulfilled Promises
On October 23, 2026, a delegation of the protesting candidates met with Cabinet Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar to submit a formal memorandum. During the meeting, Minister Rajbhar provided assurances that the interests of marginalized communities would be safeguarded and that any legal or technical discrepancies within the Basic Education Department would be corrected.
However, the candidates remain skeptical. They point out that despite Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath previously directing the Basic Education Minister and the Principal Secretary for a swift resolution following the 'Dastak Do' campaign, no concrete orders have been issued in the 22 days since that intervention.
Escalating Protests and Legal Battles
The movement has seen a series of dramatic escalations as candidates attempt to draw attention to their plight:
- Blood Letter Campaign: Protesters sent a 'blood letter' addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to highlight their struggle.
- Gherao of Ministers: On October 17, the residence of Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh was encircled, followed by a similar protest at the residence of Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya on October 19.
The legal path has been equally fraught. On April 16, 2024, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court dismissed claims for additional relaxation. Later, on August 27, 2024, the court ordered that a separate recruitment process be initiated for 27,713 vacant posts.
New Recruitment Drives Amidst Old Disputes
While the 68,500 recruitment issue remains unresolved, the state government has moved forward with other plans. The government has announced a new recruitment drive for over 21,000 teachers and instructors. This includes the creation of 10,000 new positions specifically for urban schools, a move that is independent of the ongoing dispute surrounding the 2018 recruitment process.