SRINAGAR, AUGUST 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has notified a comprehensive new Transfer Policy for employees of the School Education Department, introducing a structured five-zone framework, online processing, point-based assessment and a time-bound grievance redressal mechanism aimed at making transfers and postings more transparent, objective and balanced.
The policy has been issued through Government Order No. 335-JK(Edu) of 2026 dated August 20, 2026, by the School Education Department and has been signed by Commissioner Secretary Ram Niwas Sharma.
The new framework will apply to Teachers, Masters, Lecturers, Headmasters, Principals, Zonal Education Officers, Chief Education Officers and equivalent personnel serving under the department.
A major feature of the policy is the classification of educational institutions into five Annual Transfer Drive zones, namely Zone-I, Zone-II, Zone-III, Zone-IV and Zone-V, with Zone-V designated as the difficult-area category.
Under the policy, employees posted in Zone-I, Zone-II and Zone-III will ordinarily serve for three years at a particular institution. The normal tenure will be two years in Zone-IV and one year in Zone-V.
Employees who complete the prescribed tenure in Zone-V will ordinarily be considered for transfer and may receive preferential consideration for suitable vacancies in Zone-I or Zone-II, subject to administrative requirements and availability of posts.
The policy seeks to give greater weight to service rendered in difficult and remote areas, while also ensuring that such postings do not become indefinite. This is expected to help the department achieve a more balanced distribution of staff across urban, rural and geographically difficult locations.
Transfers and postings will ordinarily be processed through a designated Online Transfer Portal. The Directorates have been tasked with maintaining updated electronic records of posting history, tenure, service particulars and transfer details of employees.
The digital system is intended to reduce discretionary handling and provide a clearer, verifiable basis for transfer decisions.
The policy recognises different categories of transfers, including general, mutual, administrative, compassionate or priority-based transfers and special rotation cases.
Special consideration has been provided for employees facing serious personal or family hardship. Cases involving serious medical conditions, benchmark disabilities, single parents, widows, security concerns and other exceptional circumstances may be considered after verification of supporting documents and approval by the competent authority.
The Government has also provided that where both spouses are government employees, efforts may be made to post them at suitable locations or within reasonable proximity, subject to availability of posts and administrative feasibility.
Employees due to retire within one year may preferably be posted closer to their place of residence. Employees aged 58 years and above will ordinarily not be posted to Zone-IV or Zone-V unless compelling administrative considerations require otherwise.
The policy also provides due consideration to female employees who are widowed, divorced or single parents, as well as employees having children with benchmark disabilities. Persons with benchmark disabilities may also be considered for convenient postings depending on vacancy position and administrative requirements.
Mid-term and inter-cadre transfers may be considered by the Administrative Department in exceptional cases involving serious medical or security-related grounds concerning the employee, spouse or dependent children.
Medical claims must relate to life-threatening or chronic debilitating illness, or disability of not less than 40 per cent, and must be supported by certification from the Standing Medical Board. Security-related cases will require recommendations from the Special Director General, CID Wing.
The policy also lays down an indicative annual transfer calendar. Anticipated vacancies and transfer notifications are proposed to be published in April and October, followed by applications and posting preferences in May and November.
Provisional eligibility and merit lists are to be issued in June and December, while representations are to be examined in June and January. Transfer and posting orders are proposed to be issued during June-July and January-February.
The Administrative Department, however, has retained the authority to modify these timelines where academic requirements, administrative exigencies, judicial directions or other circumstances make such changes necessary.
Another significant feature is the introduction of an online, point-based Transfer Assessment Matrix. The system assigns weightage for difficult-area service, age, disability, compassionate circumstances, spouse posting, recognised teacher awards, exceptional academic performance, serious illness and proximity to retirement.
Employees completing the prescribed tenure in Zone-V will receive five points, with additional weightage for service beyond the mandatory period. Employees completing service in Zone-IV will also receive points based on tenure.
The zoning criteria have also been defined geographically. Zone-I broadly covers institutions within municipal limits of district headquarters, while Zone-II extends to institutions outside municipal limits and up to 20 kilometres from district headquarters. Zone-III covers institutions beyond 20 kilometres and up to 40 kilometres, while Zone-IV includes institutions beyond 40 kilometres where a change of residence may be required.
Zone-V covers designated difficult areas, including Marwah, Dachhan and Warwan in Kishtwar; Mahore and Chassana in Reasi; Khawas in Rajouri; Malhar and Bani in Kathua; Bhallessa in Doda; Gool and Khari in Ramban; Karnah, Kralpora, Kupwara, Machil and Trehgam in Kupwara; Gurez in Bandipora; Aishmuqam in Anantnag; and Uri in Baramulla.
A three-tier grievance redressal mechanism has also been created at the institutional, district and Union Territory levels. Employees aggrieved by transfer-related decisions may submit representations before the appropriate forum, with grievances ordinarily expected to be examined first at the lowest competent level.
The policy states that representations should, as far as practicable, be decided within 15 days, and the decision of the Union Territory-level Transfer Review Committee will ordinarily be final, subject to statutory remedies available under law.