Primary Teacher Recruitment Row: Merit List Toppers Challenge DPI Eligibility Cut-Off

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI) has allegedly put the jobs of thousands of meritorious candidates at risk by deviating from the eligibility condition mentioned in its own recruitment application.

Candidates who cleared the Primary Teacher Recruitment Examination (Class III) and completed their DElEd qualification before document verification have been declared ineligible, prompting them to protest at the DPI office and demand relief under the recruitment rule.

The recruitment was conducted through the Employees Selection Board (ESB) for 13,089 posts. Point 49 of the application form stated that candidates had to acquire the prescribed educational qualification by the date of document verification.

However, after the final result, the DPI set August 25, 2025, as the cut-off date for educational qualifications. Candidates who obtained their D.El.Ed qualification after this date, but before document verification, were consequently declared ineligible.

State topper among those affected

Among those affected is Varsha Mujalda, who secured first position in the state merit list but was declared ineligible as she completed her second-year DElEd qualification after the cut-off date.

Candidates said similar recruitment drives in 2011, 2018 and 2020 allowed candidates to complete their qualifications by the document verification date.

Govt issues clarification

A clarification letter issued by Commissioner, public instructions, Abhishek Singh on Friday said that appointments under the Primary Teacher Selection Examination 2025 were being made in accordance with the rules mentioned in the recruitment advertisement.

The department denied allegations that the recruitment rules were changed after the advertisement was issued.

Citing Clause 12.7 of the Rule Book, DPI said candidates were required to possess the prescribed educational/professional qualification by the last date of submitting the online application. Any qualification acquired after the application deadline would not be considered valid.