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Judgment
Hon’ble Ms. Harvinder Kaur Oberoi, Member (J): -
The applicants were initially appointed to the post of Primary Teacher (PRT) in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) and have been continuing on the said post since their appointment.
There are two modes for appointment to the post of Headmaster in KVS, namely, promotion and Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE). The issue relating to consideration of eligible PRTs through the promotion channel has already been considered by this Tribunal in O.A. No. 2265/2026, titled Anju Meena & Ors., decided on 07.09.2026.
The present applicants, however, seek consideration through the other channel, i.e. LDCE. It is their case that the Recruitment Rules governing the post of Headmaster were amended and, pursuant thereto, possession of a valid CTET qualification became an essential eligibility condition for the concerned PRTs.
The applicants submit that the LDCE for the post of Headmaster was notified and was scheduled to be conducted on 01.04.2026. According to the applicants, they had completed more than five years of regular service as PRTs and, therefore, otherwise fulfilled the service requirement prescribed under the Recruitment Rules. However, their applications were not permitted to be submitted on the ground that they had not, as on the relevant date, qualified CTET.
It is further submitted that the applicants had already applied for the CTET examination, which was subsequently conducted by the CBSE in February, 2026. The applicants qualified the said examination and their results were declared on 30.03.2026. Copies of the CTET result have been placed on record.
It is also brought to our notice that similarly situated teachers had approached this Tribunal in O.A. No. 105/2026 and, pursuant to interim orders passed therein, the applicants therein were permitted to submit their applications for the LDCE. Subsequently, KVS Headquarters passed an order permitting only those teachers who were parties before this Tribunal in O.A. No. 105/2026 to submit their applications offline.
The applicants contend that, although representations were made by the All India KV Teachers' Association requesting that the benefit be extended to all similarly situated teachers, the same was not extended to the applicants. A further representation dated 18.09.2026 was also submitted to the Commissioner, KVS, requesting that all eligible teachers be permitted to participate in the selection process, but the same did not yield any result.
The learned counsel for the applicants submits that the applicants had approached the Tribunal at the relevant stage and sought permission to participate in the LDCE provisionally. It is submitted that, having subsequently qualified the CTET examination, the applicants now satisfy the eligibility condition introduced by the amended Recruitment Rules.
The principal issue, therefore, which arises for consideration is whether the applicants, who had approached the Tribunal at the relevant stage and were otherwise eligible in terms of length of regular service, but had not qualified CTET when the applications for LDCE were invited, can be permitted to participate in the selection process provisionally, particularly when they have subsequently acquired the CTET qualification.
We have already considered a substantially similar issue in the context of the promotion channel in O.A. No. 2265/2026, decided on 07.09.2026. Though the present case arises in the context of LDCE and the two modes of appointment are distinct, the underlying issue regarding the implementation of the amended Recruitment Rules and the opportunity to acquire the newly introduced qualification is substantially similar.
The amended Recruitment Rules introduced a new eligibility requirement, namely, possession of CTET qualification. The applicants had, admittedly, applied for the CTET examination and subsequently qualified the same. Their candidature, therefore, cannot be rejected merely on the ground that they had not acquired the said qualification by the date on which they initially sought to submit their applications, without examining the effect of the subsequent acquisition of the qualification and the fact that the applicants had approached the Tribunal at the relevant stage.
It is also relevant that the applicants do not seek relaxation of the prescribed qualification as such. Their case is that they have subsequently acquired the very qualification which was insisted upon by the respondents and that their participation in the LDCE may be considered provisionally, subject to fulfilment of all other eligibility conditions and their securing the requisite merit position.
In these circumstances, and having regard to the view already taken by this Tribunal in O.A. No. 2265/2026 decided on 07.09.2026, we are of the considered view that the applicants deserve to be given an opportunity to participate in the selection process, subject to verification of their eligibility in all other respects.
Accordingly, the respondents are directed to consider the candidature of the applicants for the LDCE for the post of Headmaster, subject to their satisfying all other eligibility conditions prescribed under the applicable Recruitment Rules. Their candidature shall be treated as provisional and shall remain subject to verification of their CTET qualification, length of regular service and other prescribed conditions.
In case the applicants have already participated in the examination pursuant to any interim order passed by this Tribunal, their result shall be processed and their merit position shall be determined in accordance with the applicable rules. Such participation shall not, by itself, confer any right upon the applicants to appointment or promotion to the post of Headmaster.
In the event the applicants secure the requisite merit position and are otherwise found eligible, their candidature shall be considered for further stages of the selection process in accordance with law.
The present Diary No. 11249/2026 (O.A.) is accordingly disposed of in the above terms. Pending M.A(s), if any, also stand disposed of. No orders as to costs.