The Punjab and Haryana High Court at Chandigarh has recently passed significant orders mandating the regularization of long-serving contractual, daily-wage, and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) teachers/workers in Chandigarh and Haryana. Rulings emphasize that, as a “model employer,” the state cannot exploit workers by keeping them on temporary rolls for decades, and long service (e.g., 10+ years) creates a right to regularization. [1, 2, 3, 4] 

HighCourt Service Lawyers


Key Recent Rulings & Developments (2025-2026):

• SSA Teachers (Chandigarh): In Nov 2025, the High Court ordered the regularization of around 700-1300 SSA teachers who completed 10+ years of service, ordering a 6-week timeline for implementation or they would be deemed regularized.
• Stay Order (Jan 2026): A division bench in Jan 2026 stayed the single-bench order for 700 SSA teachers following an appeal by the Chandigarh administration, with the final hearing scheduled for March 25, 2026.
• Forest Dept & Daily Wagers (Haryana): In Dec 2025/Jan 2026, the court directed the regularization of daily-wage forest department workers and sewer helpers, noting that denying regularization after decades is arbitrary, discriminatory, and violates labor rights.
• Contractual Staff (Nangal): In Feb 2026, the court criticized the state for not regularizing contractual staff (e.g., in municipal council schools) hired since 2009, calling extended ad-hocism “unconstitutional”.
• Restoration of Status: In Feb 2026, the court ordered the restoration of regular status for an employee 27 years after it was withdrawn, ruling that once regularized, the status cannot be snatched away. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8] 

Key Principles Upheld:

• Deemed Regularisation: If the administration fails to act within the stipulated time, the court has previously noted that services may be “deemed regularized”.
• No “Backdoor” Entry: Regularization is ordered for those who followed proper selection procedures (e.g., tests, interviews).
• State as Model Employer: The government cannot use financial constraints as an excuse to exploit employees.
• Right to Benefits: The court has ordered that arrears of pay and retrial dues should be paid, often with 6% interest. [2, 3, 4, 9] 

Disclaimer: As of Jan/Feb 2026, some of these decisions, particularly regarding SSA teachers, are under legal appeal. [5] 

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/regularise-daily-wage-forest-dept-workers-serving-for-long-hc-to-haryana/articleshow/126193698.cms
[2] https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/big-win-for-700-sarv-shiksha-abhiyan-teachers-at-chandigarh-as-hc-orders-regularisation-101763411725816.html
[3] https://indianexpress.com/article/legal-news/punjab-haryana-high-court-regularise-contractual-teachers-nangal-10534884/
[4] https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/hc-orders-regularisation-of-all-ssa-teachers-in-chandigarh-with-over-10-years-service/
[5] https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/chandigarh-hc-stays-order-on-regularisation-of-700-ssa-teachers-101768504284043.html
[6] https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/punjab-and-haryana-high-court/punjab-haryana-high-court-orders-regularisation-of-sewer-helper-says-withdrawal-of-policy-cannot-defeat-accrued-rights-513139
[7] https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/26-years-on-hc-restores-employees-regular-status-2/
[8] https://www.ptcnews.tv/punjab-2/high-court-orders-regularisation-of-services-of-chandigarh-teachers-appointed-under-ssa-with-over-10-years-of-service-4417411
[9] https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/punjab-haryana-high-court-haryana-labour-practice-orders-long-daily-wagers-10449580/