CHANDIGARH, July 9 — Government schoolteachers in Chandigarh will begin wearing a uniform once a week starting July 20, as part of a new dress code finalised by the Union Territory’s Education Department. The policy, which is also applicable on designated special days, marks a nationwide first in introducing a teacher uniform system in government-run schools.
According to the revised order issued this week, teachers are expected to wear the uniform preferably on Mondays, with exceptions for other days as directed by the District Education Officer (DEO) or the school principal. The update comes after an earlier order was withdrawn following concerns over the colour of the proposed uniform.
“The Education Department is introducing a school uniform policy for all faculty and teaching staff, effective from July 20,” the order stated. “The uniform is intended to foster professionalism, promote a unified school identity, and minimize workplace disparities.”
The directive underlined that a uniformed teaching staff reinforces core values such as discipline, consistency, and school ethos. “Just as students are expected to maintain uniformity in appearance, faculty members must reflect the same spirit and identity,” the circular added.
The initiative was first proposed by UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria in January and piloted at the PM Shri Government Model Senior Secondary School in Sector 14, Dhanas. It was later expanded across all government schools in the city.
With this move, Chandigarh becomes the first city in India to implement a formal uniform policy for government schoolteachers — a step officials say is aimed at raising the bar of institutional discipline and professionalism in the education system.
