SED appoints Nodal Officer to oversee implementation of SC verdict in ReT cases

Srinagar, Jun 15: In the latest development, the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Department Monday appointed a Nodal Officer to oversee the implementation of the Supreme Court's recent judgment concerning candidates included in Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) select panels.

The move is aimed at ensuring coordinated and timely compliance with the Supreme direction directions. According to Government Order No 230-JK(Edu) of 2026 issued on Monday, Under Secretary to the Government, SED Thannaji Bhat, has been nominated as the Nodal Officer for examination, monitoring, coordination and supervision of all matters arising from the Supreme Court's April 30, 2026 judgment in the case UT of J&K and others versus Saba Wani and connected matters.

The Supreme Court had directed the government to consider candidates figuring in duly constituted ReT select panels for engagement or appointment against available vacancies, subject to fulfillment of conditions relating to minimum qualifications prescribed under National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) regulations, Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) requirements, regularisation norms and seniority.

As per the SED order, the implementation of the judgment involves scrutiny and verification of a large volume of records, including advertisement notices, select panels, engagement details, vacancy positions and service particulars spread across various districts of the Union Territory.

The appointment of a Nodal Officer has been necessitated by the need for effective monitoring and coordination among different departments and agencies involved in the process.

As per the order, the Nodal Officer will coordinate with the Directorates of School Education in Jammu and Kashmir, liaise with the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and oversee collection and verification of information relating to ReT select panel candidates. As per the order, the nodal officer will also monitor submission of records concerning educational qualifications, TET status, regularisation details and vacancy positions, besides maintaining a consolidated database of all cases covered under the Supreme Court judgment.

The government has directed all officers and officials of the School Education Department besides subordinate offices to extend full cooperation and furnish all required records and information to facilitate implementation of the court's directions.