In a government school in rural Bihar, a single teacher manages five grades, teaches multiple subjects, handles administrative tasks, and often travels miles to reach the school. Her monthly pay: around Rs. 12,000.

Across India, millions of teachers like her are praised as "gurus," revered in public discourse and government rhetoric. Yet the ground reality is starkly different: low pay, delayed salaries, overwhelming workload, and massive vacancies make teaching one of the most undervalued professions in practice.

RESPECT VS PAY: THE STARK NUMBERS

Teacher Workforce: According to UDISE+ 2024-25, India's teaching workforce has crossed 1 crore (10,122,420), growing 6.7% in a year. Women make up 54.2%, reflecting an increase in gender representation.

Vacancies: Over 1 million teaching post

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