The Karnataka School Education Department (Department of Public Instruction) released its notification on 12 August 2026 for 15,000 teaching posts in government primary and high schools statewide. Online applications open on 18 August 2026 and close on 7 September 2026. This ranks among the largest teacher recruitment drives Karnataka has run in recent years.
1. Recruitment Overview
Karnataka has been sitting on a genuine teacher shortage for a while now, and this notification is the state’s biggest single move to fix that gap. It fills posts for the 2026-27 academic session, across five distinct teaching roles that span primary school through physical education and computer science instruction.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Karnataka School Education Department (Department of Public Instruction) |
| Notification Date | 12 August 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 15,000 |
| Posts Covered | Graduate Primary Teacher (GPT), Assistant Master (AM), Primary School Teacher (PST), Physical Education Teacher (PET), Computer Science Teacher (CST) |
| Regions | Kalyana Karnataka (6,967 posts) + Non-Kalyana Karnataka (8,033 posts) |
| Academic Session | 2026-27 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | schooleducation.karnataka.gov.in |
Individual district-wise notices are also being published separately through the Karnataka Gazette (e-Rajyapatra) portal — so if you’re checking district-specific numbers, you’ll need to track your own district’s notice alongside the main state notification.
2. Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 12 August 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 18 August 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 7 September 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 10 September 2026 |
You get roughly three weeks to apply, plus a few extra days just for fee payment. That gap between the application deadline and the fee deadline is easy to misread — don’t assume you’re automatically covered if you’ve filled the form but haven’t paid yet.
3. Vacancy Details
The full 15,000 vacancies split between two regions, each following its own reservation framework.
Kalyana Karnataka Region — 6,967 Posts
| Post | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Graduate Primary Teacher (GPT) | 3,228 |
| Assistant Master (AM) | 2,214 |
| Primary School Teacher (PST) | 800 |
| Physical Education Teacher (PET) | 425 |
| Computer Science Teacher (CST) | 300 |
| Total | 6,967 |
Non-Kalyana Karnataka Region — 8,033 Posts
| Post | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Graduate Primary Teacher (GPT) | 5,272 |
| Assistant Master (AM) | 2,286 |
| Primary School Teacher (PST) | 100 |
| Physical Education Teacher (PET) | 175 |
| Computer Science Teacher (CST) | 200 |
| Total | 8,033 |
Grand Total: 15,000
The Graduate Primary Teacher post alone accounts for over 56% of all vacancies statewide — by a wide margin, this is where you’ll find the most openings if you’re eligible for that role.
Kalyana Karnataka’s separate cadre rule: Postings within this region additionally follow an 80% Local Cadre (LC) and 20% Remaining Original Cadre split, under the Article 371(J) framework. If you’re applying under this region, check which cadre your district falls under before submitting your preference.
4. Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification: Requirements vary by post — generally a completed 12th/PUC, Diploma, or Degree from a recognised board or university, with the specific subject combination and teaching qualification (B.Ed/D.Ed, as applicable) tied to the post you’re applying for. Since the exact post-wise breakdown of degree and training requirements isn’t fully detailed in the general notification summary, cross-check the specific qualification for your chosen post directly against the official PDF before applying.
Teacher Eligibility Test (TET): A valid Karnataka TET (KARTET) qualification is a standard requirement for most of these teaching posts — confirm which papers apply to your specific post code in the detailed notification.
Age Limit
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum (all categories) | 21 years |
| Maximum (General category) | 40 years |
| SC/ST/OBC and other reserved categories | Relaxation as per Government of Karnataka rules |
5. Selection Process
Selection for Karnataka Teacher Recruitment 2026 follows a 90:10 merit structure introduced through this cycle’s new recruitment rules — a meaningful shift from how earlier teacher recruitment drives in the state were scored.
- Competitive Written Examination (CET) — Carries the largest share of final merit weightage.
- Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) Score — Factored into the combined merit alongside the CET.
- Academic Qualification Weightage — A smaller portion of marks comes from your existing academic record.
- Document Verification — Shortlisted candidates go through certificate and eligibility checks.
- Final Merit List — Combines all of the above into your final rank, region-wise and post-wise.
Under the new weightage system, roughly 90% of your final score comes jointly from the CET and TET, with the remaining 10% drawn from your academic qualifications — a genuinely different balance from a purely written-exam-only selection.
Reported exam structure: The competitive exam is expected to run across three papers, including a 100-mark descriptive component — candidates should prepare for both objective and descriptive sections rather than assuming it’s a single MCQ-only test.
6. Salary & Pay Structure
Selected teachers are placed on the standard Karnataka Government pay scale applicable to their specific post, with reported starting figures ranging broadly from ₹41,300 to ₹99,400 depending on the exact role and cadre. Beyond basic pay, selected candidates receive Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and other allowances admissible under Karnataka Government service rules.
For the precise pay level tied to each of the five posts (GPT, AM, PST, PET, CST), refer to the detailed official notification, since pay scales differ by post and are not uniform across all five roles.
7. Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General and Backward Class candidates | ₹750 |
| SC, ST, and Specially Gifted (PwBD) candidates | ₹500 |
Fee must be paid online, and the payment window (until 10 September 2026) extends a few days beyond the application closing date — but don’t rely on that gap; complete both steps as close together as possible to avoid any last-minute issue.
8. How to Apply
- Visit the official School Education Department website: schooleducation.karnataka.gov.in
- Locate the link for “Karnataka Teacher Recruitment 2026” (GPT/AM/PST/PET/CST notification).
- Register with your basic personal details to create a login.
- Choose your region (Kalyana Karnataka or Non-Kalyana Karnataka) and your intended post, based on your qualification.
- Fill in your educational, TET, and category details carefully in the online form.
- Upload your photograph, signature, and required certificates in the specified format.
- Pay the applicable application fee online.
- Review every entered detail carefully before final submission, then download your confirmation for future reference.
Documents to keep ready: Educational qualification mark sheets and certificates, KARTET/CTET certificate, caste/category certificate (where applicable), PwBD certificate (where applicable), Kalyana Karnataka local-cadre eligibility proof (if applying under that region), passport-size photograph, and signature in the prescribed digital format.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How many total vacancies are there? | 15,000 posts across five teaching roles — GPT, AM, PST, PET, and CST. |
| What is the last date to apply online? | 7 September 2026; the fee payment deadline extends to 10 September 2026. |
| Which post has the most vacancies? | Graduate Primary Teacher (GPT), with 8,500 combined posts across both regions — over half of all vacancies. |
| What is the age limit? | Minimum 21 years; maximum 40 years for General category, with relaxation for reserved categories. |
| Is TET mandatory? | Yes, a valid Karnataka TET (KARTET) qualification is required for most posts covered in this notification. |
| What is the application fee? | ₹750 for General/Backward Class candidates; ₹500 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates. |
| How is the final merit decided? | Through a 90:10 structure — combined CET and TET scores make up around 90%, with academic qualification weightage making up the rest. |
| What is the difference between Kalyana Karnataka and Non-Kalyana Karnataka vacancies? | Kalyana Karnataka posts (6,967) follow a separate Article 371(J) local-cadre reservation framework, with an 80:20 Local Cadre split; Non-Kalyana Karnataka posts (8,033) follow the standard statewide framework. |
| What is the expected salary range? | Reported figures range from approximately ₹41,300 to ₹99,400 per month, depending on the specific post. |
| Where can I find district-wise vacancy numbers? | Individual Educational Districts are publishing separate notices via the Karnataka Gazette (e-Rajyapatra) portal — check your specific district’s listing alongside the main state notification. |
10. Official Links
- Official Gazette Notifications (District-wise, e-Rajyapatra): Click Here
- Official School Education Department Website: https://schooleducation.karnataka.gov.in
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