Requesting Punjab Government to Reconsider the Eligibility Criteria of 55%(General) and 50%(SC/BC) in Graduation for Punjab Master Cadre Recruitment 2026 and consider candidates who possess 50%(General) -45% (SC/BC) marks in Graduation :

The vacancies for the Master Cadre in Punjab are expected to be released soon. As per the proposed eligibility criteria, an applicant must have a graduation degree with at least 55%(General) and 50% (SC/BC), along with B.Ed. and PSTET qualification.

A large number of candidates have completed their graduation with less than 55% marks but have successfully obtained their B.Ed. degree and qualified PSTET. However, under the 55%(General) and 50% (SC/BC) graduation requirement, these candidates will be deprived of the opportunity to apply for the Master Cadre posts.Countless deserving candidates will lose  out on teaching positions due to unfair eligibility criteria. The requirement of securing 55% marks for general category candidates and 50% for SC/BC candidates will become a significant barrier to many talented individuals entering the teaching profession in Punjab.

This raises an important question: If candidates with less than 55%(General) and 50% (SC/BC) marks in graduation are not eligible for the post, why were they granted admission to B.Ed. courses and subsequently permitted to appear in and qualify for PSTET?

Candidates who have successfully completed B.Ed. and qualified PSTET have invested significant time, effort, and resources in pursuing their teaching careers. Excluding them solely on the basis of their graduation percentage may cause serious injustice to those who have otherwise fulfilled the required professional qualifications.

In addition, neighbouring states in India and NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR TEACHER EDUCATION have no such eligibility criteria. National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) lays down the following minimum qualifications for a person to be eligible for appointment as a teacher in Classes VI-VIII:

1)B.A/B.Sc and 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (by whatever name known)

OR

B.A./B.Sc. with at least 50% marks and 1-year Bachelor in Education (B. Ed)

OR

B.A./B.Sc. with at least 45% marks and 1-year Bachelor in Education (B. Ed), in accordance with the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure Regulations issued from time to time in this regard

OR

Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and 4-year Bachelor in Elementary Education (B.El. Ed)

OR

Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and 4-year BA/B.Sc. Ed or B.A. Ed./BSc. Ed.

 OR

B.A./B.Sc. with at least 50% marks and 1 - year BEd. (Special Education)

     AND

(2) Pass in the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), to be conducted by the appropriate Government in accordance with the Guidelines framed by the NCTE for the purpose.

 Punjab should take similar decisive action to foster a more inclusive and fairer approach to teacher recruitment.

Also this requirement not only disregards the potential of candidates but also limits their chances of contributing meaningfully to education. Many students face various challenges and adversities throughout their academic journeys, affecting their performance. However, marks alone should not determine a person's capability to be a good teacher. Talented individuals with a passion for teaching and the ability to inspire should not be sidelined because of this.

Therefore, it is humbly requested that the Government of Punjab should reconsider the 55%(General) and 50% (SC/BC) graduation eligibility criteria and consider candidates who possess 50%(General) -45% (SC/BC) marks in Graduation ,B.Ed. and have qualified PSTET eligible for the Master Cadre recruitment 2026

The Government is requested to sympathetically consider the genuine concerns of the affected candidates and take appropriate steps to ensure fairness, equal opportunity, and justice for all eligible aspiring teachers.

Join me in calling upon the Department of Education in Punjab to urgently remove the 55%(General) and 50% (SC/BC)mark eligibility for Master cadre teaching positions. A fair education begins with fair opportunity. 
Please sign this petition to help us bring about the necessary changes.