In a recent ruling on December 13, the Supreme Court asserted that the role of a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) extends beyond the confines of traditional classroom settings, affirming their eligibility to be regarded as teachers. The court maintained that the nature of sports necessitates training in open spaces, fields, courts, and similar environments, challenging the notion that PTIs are ineligible merely because they don’t conduct classes within the four walls of a college.
This precedent-setting decision arose from the appeal of P.C. Modi, a sports officer/PTI at Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (University), established under the Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya Act of 1963. Modi contested his retirement order, arguing that he should be considered a “teacher” under Statute 32 of the Act, justifying a retirement age of 62 instead of the university’s stipulated age of 60.
Examining the Act’s definition of ‘Teacher,’ the court noted the absence of a precise description and referenced the case of P.S. Ramamohana Rao v. A.P. Agricultural University and Another. Drawing parallels with the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University case, the court concluded that the term “teacher” should be interpreted inclusively, extending beyond the conventional titles of Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor.
The court emphasized that Modi’s instructional duties, including imparting rules, practices, and various sports-related skills, aligned with the expansive nature of the inclusive definition of a teacher. Criticizing the Division Bench of the High Court for relying on an unrelated case, the court clarified the error and declared Modi as falling within the definition of a “teacher.”
Consequently, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Modi, affirming his entitlement to continue in service until the age of 62. The court also granted him all consequential and monetary benefits that would have accrued if he had remained in service until the stipulated retirement age. This landmark decision challenges conventional perceptions of teaching roles, recognizing the significant contributions of PTIs beyond traditional classroom boundaries.
[Civil Appeal No. 4267 OF 2011: P.C. MODI v. THE JAWAHARLAL NEHRU VISHWA VIDYALAYA AND ANOTHER]
