Kerala UPST Rank Holders End Secretariat Protest After Minister's Assurance

The Upper Primary School Teacher (UPST) Rank Holders Association concluded a 17-day protest staged before the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, August 14, 2026. The decision to end the demonstration followed assurances from General Education Minister N. Samsudheen.

What Happened

Protesters had been demanding that the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) cease issuing frequent recruitment notifications before reporting existing vacancies. They also sought an extension of the current rank list to allow for more appointments before it expires. Minister Samsudheen met with association representatives and guaranteed that these demands would receive sympathetic consideration. He indicated that the government would need 45 days to study the request to appoint PSC-ranked candidates to Head Teacher Vacancy (HTV) positions and to review other matters related to teacher-student ratios in schools facing potential post losses.

Key Facts

• The UPST Rank Holders Association protested for 17 days in front of the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram.
• Protesters demanded the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) stop issuing notifications without reporting vacancies.
• They also requested an extension of the existing rank list for Upper Primary School Teacher appointments.
• General Education Minister N. Samsudheen met with association representatives on Friday, August 14, 2026.
• The Minister assured that the association's demands would be considered sympathetically.
• The government requires 45 days to study the demand for appointing PSC-ranked candidates to HTV posts and related issues.
• Association representatives informed the minister about a lack of upper primary teachers in model residential and fisheries schools.
• The Minister directed the Director General of Education (DGE) to examine appointing teachers from existing district UP school rank lists to these institutions.
• The protest was called off based on the Minister's assurance that favorable demands would be implemented promptly.
• DGE Snehil Kumar and other senior officials participated in the discussions.

Background

During their meeting, association representatives highlighted the absence of upper primary teachers in model residential schools and fisheries schools. In response, Minister Samsudheen instructed the Director General of Education (DGE) to investigate the feasibility of filling these vacancies from the current UP school rank lists within the respective districts and to take necessary actions.

The protesters ultimately agreed to disperse based on the Minister's commitment to examine their raised issues during the stipulated period and to implement any favorable outcomes without delay.