Government brings major changes in the weightage of marks for teacher recruitment in Karnataka

The government published a gazette notification in this regard on July 14 and gave 15 days to file objections. | Photo credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

The state government has brought major changes in the weightage of marks for government school teaching positions, placing more emphasis on competitive exam scores than marks obtained in BEd, BPEd and DEd courses.

As per draft Karnataka Education Department Services (Department of Public Instruction) (Recruitment to Certain Teaching Posts) (Special) Rules 2026, the total weightage of 70% marks is given to written examination for the post of Primary School Teachers (PST) and Post Graduate Primary School Teachers (GPT) and the weightage % of written examination for Physical Education Teachers (GPT) is % weightage of Physical Education P85).

The government published a gazette notification in this regard on July 14 and gave 15 days to file objections.

Previous rules

For the recruitment of government school teachers, the selection authority compiles a merit list of eligible candidates based on the percentage of marks obtained in competitive examination, Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), Diploma Education and Teacher Education Course using weightage and calculation of derived percentage. If two or more candidates score the same (derived percentage) marks, the one with the older age is considered.

Earlier, while filling the posts of PST, teaching 1st to 5th and GPT, teaching 6th to 8th, the merit list was prepared in such a way that 50% weightage was given to marks obtained in written examination, 20% weightage to marks obtained in TET examination, 20% to marks obtained in education or PU courses and 10% weightage to teachers.

For candidates with four-year teaching degree, 50% weightage was given to marks obtained in competitive examination, 20% in TET and 30% in four-year BLEd, BA/BSc Ed and other courses.

New rules

As per the draft rules, for the post of PST (Class 1 to 5) and GPT (Class 6 to 8), provision has been made to give 70% weightage to marks obtained in written examination, 20% weightage to marks obtained in TET examination, 8% weightage to degree or PU and only 2% weightage to marks obtained in teacher education courses.

The proposal proposes to give 70% weightage to the written examination for candidates with four-year teacher education, 20% to the marks obtained in TET and 10% in four-year BLEd, BA/BSc Ed.

For the position of computer science teacher (1st to 8th grade), 70% weightage is given to the marks obtained in the written exam and 30% weightage is given to the marks obtained in the prescribed bachelor’s degree.

However, for the post of PET and Assistant High School Master, 85% weightage is given to marks obtained in written examination, 13% weightage is given to marks obtained in PU/Bachelor’s degree and 2% weightage is given to marks obtained in teacher education courses.

Aspirants are against it

Aspirants for the post of PET have expressed dissatisfaction with the 85% weightage of marks awarded in the competitive examination.

“Sports and physical activities are the main pillars of physical education. In such a situation, it is not right for the Ministry of Education to give much weightage only to comparative exams instead of sports. The government should immediately withdraw this draft rule. We will file an objection against it,” the PET aspirants said.

Published – 17 Jul 2026 22:14 IST