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Karnataka Implements Teacher Recruitment Rules 2026: CET Scores in Focus
The recruitment of government school teachers in Karnataka has been overhauled, with the latest update indicating the Common Entrance Test will count more than the scores from past educational qualifications. The government has issued the Karnataka School Education Department (Direct Recruitment of Teachers) (Special) Rules, 2026, establishing a new model of recruitment for teacher positions in government schools. The Rules cover a number of teacher categories, including primary school teachers, upper primary school teachers, graduate teachers, physical education teachers, and teachers of certain other special subjects.
For all the Candidates aspiring for Karnataka Government teacher jobs, the change is important as the previous model provided more weight to the academic records. The new model, however, brings selection closer to a competitive exam system.
What’s New in Karnataka Teacher Recruitment 2026
A CET-based weightage system has been introduced as a primary change. For several teaching posts, the CET will now carry the highest weightage in the final merit list. For the recruitment of primary school teachers (classes 1 to 5), the weightage in the CET model will be as follows:
- CET Marks: 70%
- Teacher Eligibility Test Paper 1: 20%
- Marks for Academic Qualifications: 8%
- Marks for Service: 2%
For upper primary teachers (Classes 6 to 8), CET will constitute 70% while TET Paper 2 will be 20%. The rest will be determined by academic qualification and service-related criteria mentioned in the notification. For graduate teachers, classes 9 and 10, CET will be 70% and 30% will be left to academic performance and other qualifications. Different formulas are provided for physical education teachers and special-subject teachers; however, CET will be the most important selection criterion.
Minimum qualifying marks
The new rules prescribed minimum qualifying marks. According to the notification, SC, ST, Category-I, and PwD candidates will require a minimum of 43%, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB will require 41%, and General will require 38%. Eligible candidates will be those who meet the minimum qualifying marks. The aspirants are advised to check the final qualifying marks for each category in the official gazette or department notification before applying.
Merit List, Document Verification, and Final Selection
The final merit lists will be prepared by the application of the prescribed weightage formula for the concerned posts. Candidates will need to undergo a document verification process subsequently. The notification states that the appointment will need proof of eligibility, support for educational qualifications, and all other claims in the application. Unsupported claims and/or incorrect claims can lead to disqualification for the position.
What This Means For Aspirants
There are new ways to prepare for the selection process that will be put in place. Strong PUC, BEd, or diploma marks will no longer be relied on. The selection process will depend most on the CET now. The CET won't be the only deciding factor in the selection process. The TET has also been and will continue to be important. TET will contribute 20% to the selection process for primary and upper primary posts. This means TET is not a qualifying exam exclusively.
The new selection process also comes as Karnataka is set to hire thousands of teachers. CM Mr. Siddaramaiah has already made announcements of 15,000 new school teacher recruitments. This makes the new process extremely valuable for those looking for work.
Conclusion
The 2026 teacher recruitment process from Karnataka has now moved to a more exam-centered selection process. According to the state, recruitment will now be more merit-based. For those looking for work, this means the CET should be the most important part of the selection process and that TET, academic documents, and the eligibility rules should also be considered.
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