Secondary Grade government school teachers in Tamil Nadu have been protesting since December 26, 2025, in Chennai highlighting the pay disparity among teachers within their pay grade. Organised by the Secondary Grade Seniority Teachers’ Association, over 20,000 secondary grade teachers attached to government schools across the State have been demanding ‘Equal pay for Equal work’. Scores of teachers have been detained by the police during the protest on a daily basis.

Secondary-grade teachers appointed before June 1, 2009, receive a basic pay of ₹8,370. But those appointed after that date only receive ₹5,200. At present, post-2009 appointees draw a monthly salary of about ₹20,600, including allowances, compared with about ₹28,950 for those appointed earlier. Teachers point out allowances are linked to basic pay. With the implementation of each Pay Commission, the pay disparity has widened.

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