Anganwadi workers continue protest for 15th day in Chennai demanding regularisation

Over 1,000 anganwadi teachers and helpers continued their protest for the fifteenth consecutive day in Chennai on Tuesday (February 17, 2026), demanding that the State government regularise their services.

“It has been 15 days of State-wide protests regarding our demand to be regularised. We are not asking for something new; it was a promise made in the DMK manifesto. We want it fulfilled,” said an anganwadi teacher from Chennai.

Anganwadi teachers have been appointed on a temporary basis and receive a monthly salary of ₹15,000, while an anganwadi helper receives ₹6,000. They are entitled to dearness allowances, but no other benefits have been extended to them.

“We take care of children, from their food to their studies. We take care of pregnant women and new mothers. In addition, we are also assigned duties such as SIR [Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls] and other election-related work. We distribute nutritious food, update apps, and ensure all data entry is completed. Do we deserve only ₹15,000 for this?” asked Narmada, an Anganwadi teacher in Chennai.

The teachers note that they are severely overworked and have neither received a pay increase nor been regularised. “We aren’t eligible for Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai [monthly allowance for women] because we are government employees, yet we are not treated as such. So, where do we belong?” asked S. Maheswari, another anganwadi teacher.

The teachers want their basic pay increased to ₹19,500 once they are regularised. “No talks have been held so far. We will continue our protest until our demand is met,” said Ms. Narmada.