Andhra government releases schedule for transfer of teachers, focus on transparency
VIJAYAWADA: The State government has released the transfer schedule for Headmasters, Grade-II, School Assistants, Secondary Grade Teachers, and equivalent cadre working in Government, Zilla Parishad, Mandal Parishad, Municipal, and Municipal Corporation Schools. This follows the enactment of the Andhra Pradesh State Teachers Transfers Regulation Act, 2025, and a recent interim order by the High Court.
Director of School Education V Vijay Rama Raju released the schedule on Wednesday, based on GO No. 22 issued by the School Education (Services II) Department Tuesday midnight. The government has empowered itself to regulate teacher transfers to ensure the optimal deployment of staff across all school levels.
As per the new rules, principals (Headmasters Grade-II) are eligible for transfer after completing five years of service at one place, and teachers after eight years. A detailed points-based system will be followed for the purpose, one point for Category-1, two for Category-2, three for Category-3, and five each for Category-4 and station preferences. Additionally, teachers will be awarded 0.5 service points for each year of completed service.
The government clarified that by May 31, all vacancies, including those arising from retirement, rationalisation, mandatory transfers, long absence (over a year), and study leave, will be displayed.
All Regional Joint Directors and District Education Officers have been instructed to complete the transfers and promotions strictly according to the schedule. The Additional Director (IT) has been directed to make necessary digital arrangements to ensure smooth implementation.
The transfer initiative aims to rationalise teacher deployment across foundational, primary, upper primary, and high schools, thereby improving academic standards and maintaining transparency in staffing decisions.
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Key Takeaways: Ashok Gulati and Ayushi Gupta writes: • A closer look at the apparel segment alone (under HS codes 61 and 62) shows that India's share in global trade is even lower, at 3 per cent — $15.7 billion out of $529.3 billion. More disturbing is the fact that this share has remained stagnant for the past two decades. • Despite these modest numbers, India has set a target of $40 billion in apparel exports by 2030. But in the last few years, apparel exports have declined at an AAGR of –2 per cent. If we had sustained the stronger AAGR of 8.5 per cent (2004-2017), we would reach $31 billion by 2030. And an AAGR of 8.5 per cent (2004-2023) suggests exports to reach $21 billion by 2030. These numbers make it clear that without a significant shift in policy and strategy, the $40-billion goal will remain a pipe dream. • Our research points to a fundamental constraint — India's lack of scale. Put simply, we are too many, too small, and too dispersed. Over 80 per cent of India's apparel units are Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). • China and Vietnam have built large-scale and export-oriented factories backed by integrated production systems. Even Bangladesh has found a way to either scale up or have single-window 'buying houses' that take large orders and then get executed from various factories. • While the overall garment manufacturing sector remains fragmented, there is a silver lining that shows what scale can achieve. In this context, the most powerful example is that of Shahi Exports. Founded by Sarla Ahuja in 1974, it began as a stitching unit with just a 15-women team, producing 200 pieces a day. But today, it is India's largest apparel exporter, operating over 50 factories, and three processing mills across eight states, and employing more than 1,00,000 workers, 70 per cent of them women. Do You Know: • After China, India is the second largest producer of cotton, accounting for 24% of global production. Cotton cultivation engages around 60 lakh farmers, mostly across Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Telangana. The entire cotton textile value chain—from processing raw fibre and spinning yarn to weaving fabric, dyeing, and stitching—employs over 4.5 crore people. • The size of India's textile and apparel industry cannot be understated—it contributes 13% to industrial production, 12% to exports, and roughly 2% to GDP. However, manufacturing in the textile and apparel industry has slightly contracted over the past 10 years, according to the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). • The PLI Scheme for Textiles to promote production of MMF apparel, MMF Fabrics and Products of Technical Textiles in the country to create 60-70 global players, attract fresh investment of Rs. 19,000 crore approximately and generate almost 7.5 lakh new employment opportunities. • To attract investment for 'Make In India' initiative and to boost employment generation through setting up of 7 (Seven) PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks in Greenfield/Brownfield sites with world class infrastructure including plug and play facility with an outlay of Rs.4445 crore for a period of seven years upto 2027-28. 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Then, in March 2025, imports recovered slightly to 16,000 tonnes, official trade data showed. • India relies on imports for about 30 per cent of its copper cathode demand, a key raw material for wire, tubes, and sheets. The Adani Group's new Gujarat smelter, scheduled to reach peak capacity this financial year, is expected to make the country self-sufficient for the near-term. • In FY25, India imported 2.39 lakh tonnes (Rs 19,134 crore) of copper cathode, 34 per cent less than 3.63 lakh tonnes (Rs 24,552 crore) in the previous financial year. Amid sharp drop in imports between December to February, two metals trade associations filed a petition against the Union Mines Ministry, which issued the QCO, alleging that the quality norms have caused 'acute shortages' in supply. • The steep drop in imports stemmed from compliance issues among exporters, especially Japanese suppliers who dominate India's copper cathode imports. The QCO mandates that both domestic producers and foreign suppliers obtain the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification to sell copper cathode in India. Most Japanese producers received certification only after the QCO took effect, and some continued to face minor challenges in ensuring compliance post-certification. Do You Know: • Downstream copper imports climbed to multi-year highs in FY25, defying the slump in cathode shipments. Copper wire imports—primarily from the UAE—rose 17 per cent from 1.31 lakh tonnes in FY24 to 1.54 lakh tonnes in FY25, with their value jumping 29 per cent to Rs 12,653 crore. • Imports of copper products rose despite the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) enforcing a QCO on these items from October 19, 2024, initially for large and medium enterprises. Growth persisted due to potential stocking-up before enforcement, longer timelines for small (January 2025) and micro (April 2025) units, exemptions for certain tubes and export-use products, and timely grant of BIS certification to some foreign manufacturers. • Domestic copper cathode production rose 12.6 per cent to 5.73 lakh tonnes in FY25, driven primarily by Hindalco Industries Ltd, which holds a 70 per cent market share and has a capacity of 5 lakh tonnes. Production last year surpassed the previous peak of 5.55 lakh tonnes recorded in FY23. • Vedanta's Sterlite Copper, with a smaller capacity of 2.16 lakh tonnes, contributed 26 per cent of cathode in FY25. Notably, India remained self-sufficient in copper cathode until 2018, when Vedanta's Tuticorin plant was shut down over environmental violations. 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Economists also believe that the RBI may maintain the 'accommodative' monetary policy stance. • With benign inflation, there has been a consensus among economists that the six-member MPC will cut the repo rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 5.75 per cent in the policy scheduled to be announced on June 6. One basis point (bps) is one-hundredth of a percentage point. • Headline inflation, as measured by year-on-year changes in the all-India consumer price index (CPI), moderated to 3.2 per cent in April, the lowest since July 2019, from 3.3 per cent in March. 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The RBI's MPC meets every two months to assess the state of monetary activities, and may tweak the repo rate — the interest rate at which the RBI lends to commercial banks — in a manner that reduces price fluctuations in the economy while keeping the inflation rate (the rate at which the general price level in the economy grows) at a reasonable level. • According to RBI,if the repo rate is reduced by 25 bps, all external benchmark lending rates (EBLR) linked to it will decline by a similar margin. It would be a relief for borrowers as their equated monthly instalments (EMIs) on home and personal loans will drop by 25 bps. • Following a 50 bps cut in the repo rate since February 2025, most banks have reduced their repo-linked lending rates by the same magnitude. Lenders have also lowered their marginal cost of funds-based lending rate (MCLR). • Following the likely repo rate cut in the June policy, the RBI may go for a total reduction of 50 bps in the current financial year, experts said. there are several direct and indirect instruments that are used for implementing monetary policy. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Why MPC is likely to cut repo rate for 3rd consecutive time 'New base year for GDP, CPI, IIP from early 2026; Services survey from Jan' Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc. Mains Examination: General Studies III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. What's the ongoing story: With the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) undertaking a base revision exercise and expansion of its data indicators, the key economic datasets — GDP, IIP and CPI — will see a new base from next year onwards, MoSPI Secretary Saurabh Garg said. Key Points to Ponder: • What is the base year? • What is the base year for the GDP, IIP and CPI? • Reasons for revising the base year-know in detail • What are the considerations for the new base year? • How is a base year chosen? Key Takeaways: • The base year revision exercise of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Index of Industrial Production (IIP) and Consumer Price Index (CPI) is currently underway. For GDP, the new series is scheduled to be released on February 27, 2026 with financial year 2022-23 as base year. For IIP, 2022 -23 has been tentatively identified as the revised base. IIP on revised base would be released from 2026-27. For CPI, 2024 has been identified as the revised base year as the item basket and the weightage of the items would be decided based on the NSO's Household Consumer Expenditure Survey (HCES) conducted in 2023-24. The new CPI series is expected to be published from the first quarter of 2026. • Initially, the Ministry decided to use 2022-23 HCES data for deriving weights and item basket for CPI base updation. Now since data for HCES 2023-24 is released and available for use, the Ministry has decided to use the latest data that is HCES 2023-24 data for deriving weights and item basket for the new series. • In GDP calculation, in addition to the use of data from Controller General of Accounts, MCA-21, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), etc. as was done in the previous base revision exercise, use of GST data, E-Vahan portal, UPI transaction data from NPCI, etc. (will be done) by NSO. MoSPI has tapped the GSTN database for conducting Annual Survey of Service Sector Enterprises (ASSSE), which is new in the NSS ecosystem. Do You Know: • A base year is the first of a series of years in an economic or financial index. In this context, it is typically set to an arbitrary level of 100. New, up-to-date base years are periodically introduced to keep data current in a particular index. Base years are also used to measure the growth of a company. Any year can serve as a base year, but analysts typically choose recent years. • A base year is used for comparison in the measure of business activity or economic or financial index. For example, to find the rate of inflation between 2016 and 2024, 2016 is the base year or the first year in the time set. The base year can also describe the starting point from a point of growth or a baseline for calculating same-store sales. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Amid economic slowdown, govt to decide new base year for GDP in few months Previous year UPSC Main Question Covering similar theme: 📍Explain the difference between computing methodology of India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) before the year 2015 and after the year 2015. (2021) EXPLAINED Stepping up Naxal fight, carrying on welfare push Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies III: Linkages between development and spread of extremism and Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security. What's the ongoing story: The first year of Modi 3.0 has seen the government step up its efforts to root out the decades-long Naxal insurgency, while building on flagship welfare policies introduced in its previous two terms. Key Points to Ponder: • Naxalism in India-Know the background • What is red corridor or red zone? • Map Work-Red Corridor • How many states are affected by Naxalism in India? • Maoism and Naxalism-Compare and Contrast • What are Naxals fighting for in India? • What are the socio-economic conditions the districts that make up the red corridor? • 'Naxalism is a social, economic and developmental issue manifesting as a violent internal security threat'-discuss • What steps being taken by the Government of India to eradicate Naxal and LWE forces from the country? • How the Government of India has taken several specific initiatives in LWE affected States with Special reference to expansion of road network, improving Telecommunication connectivity, skill development and financial inclusion? • What do you know about the 'Integrated Action Plan in Naxal-affected Districts'? Key Takeaways: • Union Home Minister Amit Shah last August announced that Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) would be eliminated from the country by March 31, 2026. This was a statement of the government's intent to bring an end to the insurgency that has cast a shadow over the very heart of the country. • To this end, security forces have registered significant gains against Naxals over the past year, especially in Chhattisgarh and parts of Jharkhand and Odisha, considered to be the last bastions of the Maoists. Major inroads have been made in Maoist strongholds in the Bijapur-Sukma-Dantewada tri-junction in Chhattisgarh, supported by intensified operations, the construction of forward operating bases, and better road connectivity. • In Chhattisgarh alone, security forces have killed 209 Maoists in the first five months of 2025, compared to 219 in all of 2024. In 2023, forces had killed 53 Maoists across states. Those killed in encounters include top Maoist commanders: the biggest success came on May 21when security forces killed CPI Maoist general secretary Basavaraju in the forests of Abujhmad. • Key to these recent successes, sources said, has been the political will of the government, intelligence-driven operations, improved coordination between state and central agencies, and state forces such as the District Reserve Guards of Chhattisgarh taking the lead in operations. • However, there have also been some setbacks. Maoist ambushes in places such as Kolhan, Jharkhand, and Abujhmad, Chhattisgarh, have resulted in casualties among security forces, and indicated that Naxals retain the ability to hit back in their strongholds. The road ahead involves not only sustaining pressure on residual Maoist zones but also ensuring that governance and infrastructure reach these regions. Do You Know: • In what might be the most significant decision yet under Modi 3.0, the Centre last September approved the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) to include all Indians above the age of 70 years, irrespective of their income or social status. • Launched in 2018, PM-JAY is the Modi government's flagship programme in the health sector. Even prior to its expansion, it was the world's largest health insurance scheme, providing free cover of upto Rs 5 lakh per family per year to 40% of the most economically backward households in India. • By extending universal coverage to the elderly, the Centre has anticipated what might be one of India's biggest challenges in the coming decades. • According to the government's Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, the number of senior citizens (60 years and above) will increase from 103 million in 2011 to 319 million in 2050, going up from 8.6% of the total population to 19.5%. According to the India Ageing Report 2023, just over 20% of this population was covered by any government, employer-provided, or personal insurance scheme. • Last year, the government approved the extension of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) till 2029, paving the way for the construction of two crore more houses under the programme. The Centre has already released Rs 34,000 crore to states under the PMAY-G, and cleared the allocations of 84.45 lakh houses. The Centre has also approved Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV) to connect 25,000 villages with all-weather roads by 2028-29. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍HEALING TOUCH ON REBELS Previous year UPSC Main Question Covering similar theme: 📍The persisting drives of the government for development of large industries in backward areas have resulted in isolating the tribal population and the farmers who face multiple displacements. With Malkangiri and Naxalbari foci, discuss the corrective strategies needed to win the Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) doctrine that affected citizens back into the mainstream of social and economic growth. (2015) For any queries and feedback, contact Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. Priya Kumari Shukla is a Senior Copy Editor in the Indian Express (digital). She contributes to the UPSC Section of Indian Express (digital) and started niche initiatives such as UPSC Key, UPSC Ethics Simplified, and The 360° UPSC Debate. The UPSC Key aims to assist students and aspirants in their preparation for the Civil Services and other competitive examinations. It provides valuable guidance on effective strategies for reading and comprehending newspaper content. The 360° UPSC Debate tackles a topic from all perspectives after sorting through various publications. The chosen framework for the discussion is structured in a manner that encompasses both the arguments in favour and against the topic, ensuring comprehensive coverage of many perspectives. Prior to her involvement with the Indian Express, she had affiliations with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) as well as several coaching and edutech enterprises. In her prior professional experience, she was responsible for creating and refining material in various domains, including article composition and voiceover video production. She has written in-house books on many subjects, including modern India, ancient Indian history, internal security, international relations, and the Indian economy. She has more than eight years of expertise in the field of content writing. Priya holds a Master's degree in Electronic Science from the University of Pune as well as an Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from the esteemed Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, widely recognised as one of the most prestigious business schools in India. She is also an alumni of Jamia Milia Islamia University Residential Coaching Academy (RCA). Priya has made diligent efforts to engage in research endeavours, acquiring the necessary skills to effectively examine and synthesise facts and empirical evidence prior to presenting their perspective. Priya demonstrates a strong passion for reading, particularly in the genres of classical Hindi, English, Maithili, and Marathi novels and novellas. Additionally, she possessed the distinction of being a cricket player at the national level. Qualification, Degrees / other achievements: Master's degree in Electronic Science from University of Pune and Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta ... Read More
