SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir School Education Department has proposed a new transfer policy for Rehbar-e-Taleem (RReT) teachers, Grade-II and Grade-III teachers, aiming to rationalise staff deployment, address shortages in underserved areas and balance teacher welfare with students’ academic needs.
The draft “Jammu and Kashmir Regularised Rehbar-e-Taleem (RReTs) Teacher Transfer Policy 2026” has been issued by the School Education Department for objections and suggestions. The policy is intended to establish a uniform, need-based and student-centric framework for transfers while safeguarding the entitlements of General Line Teachers.
Three-year minimum, five-year maximum tenure
Under the proposed policy, an RReT teacher would ordinarily have to complete a minimum tenure of three years at a particular place of posting before becoming eligible for consideration for transfer.
However, exceptions have been proposed for cases falling under exceptional or compassionate grounds.
The policy further states that no teacher shall ordinarily continue at a single place of posting for more than five years. On completion of the maximum prescribed tenure, the teacher would become liable for transfer in the interest of administration.
Annual transfer drive proposed
The department has proposed that transfers ordinarily be carried out once in a calendar year through an Annual Transfer Drive (ATD).
The exercise would be conducted at the end of the academic session and before commencement of the new academic session to minimise disruption to teaching activities.
Mid-session transfers would generally be avoided and permitted only in exceptional circumstances, including serious medical grounds, security concerns or unavoidable administrative exigencies, with approval of the competent authority.
Inter-district mutual transfers
The draft policy allows inter-district mutual transfers between two teachers belonging to the same cadre, qualification, subject and status, subject to verification of eligibility.
Such transfers would ordinarily not be allowed within two years of a previous transfer and would require approval of the competent authority when sought on compelling grounds.
Teachers undertaking such transfers would retain their lien and promotion prospects in their parent districts, according to the draft.
Compassionate grounds included
The proposed policy provides for a compassionate approach while effecting transfers.
Consideration would be given to cases involving life-threatening medical conditions of an employee or dependent family members, disability, widowhood, single parenthood and spouse unification where both spouses are government employees serving in different areas.
The draft says such transfers should be considered in a manner that does not cause undue hardship or dislocation to the teacher from their existing place of posting.
Cases requiring deployment outside the district on extreme medical grounds would be considered by the Administrative Department on the recommendations of the concerned Director.
Security-based deployment
Teachers seeking deployment on security grounds would also be considered by the Administrative Department after following the prescribed procedure.
The policy further proposes that Cluster Heads make suitable internal arrangements whenever a teacher is deployed on compassionate or security grounds so that school operations continue without disruption.
Reserved-category teachers
While processing transfers, priority would be given to ensuring that teachers belonging to reserved categories complete the mandatory stay period prescribed under the Reservation Policy.
The objective, according to the draft, is to safeguard academic continuity and students’ interests.
Ten-day grievance window
The proposed policy provides for a 10-day grievance redressal window at the Joint Director level after issuance of transfer orders.
Teachers would be able to submit grievances during this period for consideration and disposal by the competent authorities.
Restrictions on transfers
The draft proposes that transfers should not ordinarily be made during the academic session except in exceptional circumstances.
It also states that an employee should not ordinarily be transferred again within two years of the last transfer, unless warranted by administrative exigency.
Employees facing pending or contemplated disciplinary proceedings may also not be considered for transfer, except where the transfer itself is required in the interest of an inquiry or administration.
Special provision for RReTs
The draft contains a specific provision for RReTs who have not yet attained regularisation status.
Such teachers would continue within their originally assigned place or zone in view of the nature of their initial engagement. Once regularised as RReTs or placed as Grade-II or Grade-III teachers, they would be governed fully by the proposed transfer policy.
Safeguard for General Line Teachers
The department has also proposed safeguards for General Line Teachers.
Transfers would be made RReT-to-RReT, Grade-II-to-Grade-II and Grade-III-to-Grade-III only.
The draft says there would be no transfers between General Line Teachers and RT Teachers, except in cases of employees who have been transitioned and adjusted against regular/substantive posts.
Who will order transfers?
For transfers within the same zone, orders would be issued by the concerned Zonal Education Officer after approval from the Chief Education Officer.
Transfers between zones within a district would be ordered by the concerned Chief Education Officer after obtaining approval from the Joint Director.
Inter-district transfers and deployments would be ordered by the Administrative Department of School Education on the recommendations of the concerned Director.
Policy to be reviewed every five years
The proposed policy would be subject to review after every five years, or earlier if required.
The department would also periodically assess teacher deployment to ensure rationalisation and effective implementation of the policy objectives.
The draft states that the new policy, once finalised, would supersede previous orders on the subject.
The notification has been issued by the School Education Department and signed by Ram Niwas Sharma, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, School Education Department. The document is dated September 3, 2026
