RMSA teachers case: SC dismisses Nagaland govt’s review petition

The Supreme Court has rejected a review petition filed by Nagaland government seeking reconsideration of its earlier order in favour of the 2016 batch of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) teachers.
A Bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice K. Vinod Chandran condoned the delay in filing the review petition but found no merit in the plea for review. The court also rejected the application seeking an oral hearing.
In its order dated January 15, 2026, the apex court observed that no case for review had been made out and accordingly dismissed the petition. With this, all pending applications, if any, were also disposed of.
The review petition arose from the Supreme Court’s earlier order dated May 20, 2025, by which it had dismissed the state government’s SLP challenging the outcome of the case.
The state had sought a review of that decision on the grounds urged in the petition.
The matter was decided by circulation, without oral arguments, after the judges perused the records and submissions placed before the court.
With the dismissal of the review petition, the Supreme Court’s May 20, 2025 order stands final.
It may be recalled that the High Court in March 2022, had directed the Nagaland government to grant the scale pay (Rs. 9,300-Rs.34,800 with Rs. 4,200 grade pay) to the 2016 RMSA teachers, finding them equally placed as other teachers.