Secondary grade government school teachers in Tamil Nadu have been protesting since December 26, 2025, over pay disparity. The protest is led by the Secondary Grade Seniority Teachers’ Association. More than 20,000 teachers from government schools across the state are involved. They demand 'Equal pay for Equal work.' Teachers appointed before June 1, 2009, get a basic pay of ₹8,370. Those appointed after get only ₹5,200. Currently, post-2009 teachers earn about ₹20,600 monthly including allowances. Pre-2009 teachers earn around ₹28,950. Allowances are linked to basic pay, so the gap has widened with each Pay Commission. The difference now equals over 12 yearly increments, about ₹16,000 in allowances like dearness and house rent allowance. Their duties are the same regardless of appointment date. They want the government to issue an order to fix this anomaly. The protest has been ongoing since 2014. It is part of a larger teachers' and government employees' union, JACTTO-GEO. Protest phases included wearing demand cards from December 1, 2025, rallies in districts, and now an indefinite strike. The government’s response has been limited. In 2010, a commission studied pay scale disputes but did not resolve this issue for secondary teachers. The Seventh Pay Commission in 2018 led to another committee, but no action followed. When M.K. Stalin was Leader of Opposition, he supported the teachers. His party promised to address the issue in its 2021 election manifesto. Yet, four years later, no solution has come. A government committee formed in 2023 submitted a report, and talks were held in September 2025 by the School Education Minister. No steps have been taken so far. Opposition parties AIADMK, BJP, PMK, and CPI, CPM have supported the protests and criticized police action. Teachers plan a strike from January 6, 2026. Schools reopen January 5, but protests will continue. In this election year, the government faces strong pressure to resolve the pay gap.