LUCKNOW, April 8 -- The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday approved a wage revision for Shiksha Mitras and part-time instructors, raising their monthly honorariums by nearly 80% in what will be the biggest pay hike in almost a decade. The decision will cost the state over Rs.1,475 crore annually. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Yogi Adityanath. Shiksha Mitras will see their honorarium jump from Rs.10,000 to Rs.18,000 per month, while part-time instructors will get a raise from Rs.9,000 to Rs.17,000. The enhanced pay takes effect from April 1, 2026, with the higher amount included in May payments. Sandeep Singh, basic education minister, said the state currently employs 1,42,929 Shiksha Mitras, of whom 1,29,332 receive honorarium under the central government's Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan with a 60:40 funding split. "A proposal will be sent to the Government of India for their share under the scheme," Singh said. Should New Delhi withhold approval, the state will absorb an extra Rs.1138.12 crore. The remaining 13,597 Shiksha Mitra, fully funded by the state, will add another Rs.119.65 crore to the government's burden. The revision covers 24,717 part-time instructors working across 13,769 upper primary schools, creating additional expenditure of Rs.217.50 crore. It was clarified that the revised honorarium is payable for 11 months annually. Addressing reporters, Singh said the honorarium of Shiksha Mitras was last revised in 2017, when it was increased to Rs 10,000 from Rs 3,500, and has now been raised to Rs 18,000. The cabinet's decision follows the chief minister's announcement during the first legislative assembly session in 2026.HTC...