Amaravati: Contract Junior Lecturers, who have been working in Andhra Pradesh on a long-term contract basis, have received massive relief from the State High Court. The court, which heard the petition challenging the government's inaction regarding the regularization of their services, ordered the respondents (government officials) to legally examine the matter and take a final decision within six months.
Sri Justice Nyapathy Vijay issued these historic orders on October 31, 2025, on Writ Petition No: 24439/2024.
Case Background: The Fight for Recognition of 18 Years of Service
A total of 10 Contract Junior Lecturers, including D. Umadevi (Kadiri, Sri Satyasai District), filed this petition. The group included both women and men.
Service Period: All the petitioners have been working as Junior Lecturers (in subjects like Telugu, English, Civics, Economics, Commerce, Botany, and History) on a contract basis in various government junior colleges across the state since the year 2007 (for approximately 18 years).
Legal Basis: The petitioners stated in their plea that they are eligible for the regularization of their services under the Andhra Pradesh Regularisation of Services of Contract Employees Act, 2023 (Act 30 of 2023).
Plea to the Court: They appealed to the court to immediately regularize their services, arguing that the government's delay or refusal to regularize their services is illegal and contrary to Articles 14 (Equality), 16 (Equal opportunity in public employment), and 21 (Right to life) of the Constitution.
Key Points in the Government's Counter Affidavit
In the counter-affidavit filed on behalf of the government respondents, some important facts were conceded:
Verification of Appointment: The government did not dispute the fact that the petitioners are engaged as contract lecturers in various colleges.
Submission of Proposals: The necessary proposals for the regularization of contract staff services were prepared by the Regional Joint Directors and forwarded to the State Government by the Commissioner of Intermediate Education.
Reason for Delay: The government, after examining these proposals, raised certain objections and sent them back for re-verification. The government explained to the court that while this process was ongoing, the Model Code of Conduct came into force, halting further action.
Assurance: The respondents clarified to the court that the petitioners' request for regularization would certainly be considered as soon as orders are received from the government.
High Court's Final Orders
Considering the fact that the petitioners have been working as Contract Junior Lecturers for a prolonged period (since 2007), the High Court disposed of the Writ Petition with the following important directions:
Deadline for Review: The respondents (officials) are directed to examine the case of the petitioners for regularization of their services, in accordance with the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Regularisation of Services of Contract Employees Act, 2023, within a strict period of six (6) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
Exclusion of Costs: No specific orders were given regarding the costs of the case.
Due to these orders, this judgment is likely to set a precedent for the regularization process of thousands of contract employees in the state.
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