On Teachers’ Day 2025, the Union Education Ministry revealed that over 3.57 lakh teaching positions remain unfilled across government schools in India. According to data from the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) and Project Approval Board (PAB) records, there are 2,97,050 vacancies at the elementary level, 28,019 at the secondary level, and 32,793 at the senior secondary level.
State-wise Distribution of Vacant Teaching Posts
The shortage is particularly acute in several large states:
- Uttar Pradesh: 1,93,862 vacancies
- Madhya Pradesh: 52,019 vacancies
- Karnataka: 38,163 vacancies
- Rajasthan: 20,170 vacancies, primarily in senior secondary schools
- Punjab: 6,423 vacancies
- Maharashtra: 8,979 vacancies
- Tripura: 8,020 vacancies
- Manipur: 4,693 vacancies
- Arunachal Pradesh: 1,958 vacancies
- Assam: 13,217 vacancies
- Gujarat: 5,432 vacancies
- Tamil Nadu: 5,141 vacancies
- Goa (state posts): 848 vacancies
However, some states and Union Territories have reported that all sanctioned teaching posts are filled, including Kerala, Odisha, and Nagaland.
Challenges Faced Due to Teacher Shortages
In states with significant vacancies, teachers often manage multiple grades simultaneously. For instance, in rural districts, a single teacher may handle two grades, manage mid-day meal rosters, maintain student records, and oversee attendance. This increased workload limits the ability to provide individual attention to students, potentially affecting their learning outcomes.
Government Initiatives to Address the Issue
The Ministry of Education has urged states and Union Territories to expedite teacher recruitment to alleviate the strain on existing staff and improve pupil-teacher ratios, especially in rural and underserved districts. Additionally, the release of certain central funds has been linked to progress in filling these vacancies.
