Will holders of a 'Shastri' degree also get an opportunity in the UP TGT recruitment? Demand for a change in eligibility criteria..

There is an important update for candidates applying for TGT (Trained Graduate Teacher) recruitment in the aided secondary schools of Uttar Pradesh. Candidates who have obtained a 'Shastri' degree from Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi, may also get an opportunity to apply for this recruitment. The Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission has written to the government requesting a change in the eligibility criteria. The Commission is currently awaiting government approval; once granted, candidates holding a 'Shastri' degree will also be eligible to apply for the TGT recruitment. The application process is currently underway.

**Demand to recognize the 'Shastri' degree as equivalent to a Bachelor's degree**
Candidates who have earned a 'Shastri' degree in Sanskrit have requested the opportunity to apply for the TGT recruitment, arguing that the 'Shastri' degree is equivalent to a Bachelor's degree. Despite this, the Secondary Education Department did not consider them eligible when defining the criteria for the 2026 TGT ​​recruitment. The candidates submitted a formal representation to the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission regarding this matter. Considering their request, the Commission has written to the government, proposing an amendment to the eligibility criteria. Once the government approves, 'Shastri' degree holders will be able to apply.

**Opportunity was granted in the 2022 recruitment**
Candidates point out that those holding a 'Shastri' degree were permitted to apply for the 2022 TGT recruitment; therefore, it would be unfair to exclude them this time. Prof. Bihari Lal Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, has also written to the Selection Commission and the Additional Chief Secretary of the Secondary Education Department, advocating for these candidates to be given an opportunity by recognizing the 'Shastri' degree as equivalent to a Bachelor's degree.

**TGT recruitment for 17,735 posts**
After a gap of four years, recruitment for 17,735 TGT posts has been announced for the state's aided secondary schools. The Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission commenced the online application process on October 24, 2026. Candidates can submit their applications until November 23, 2026. The recruitment examination is tentatively scheduled for December 23 and 24, 2026. In this situation, candidates holding a 'Shastri' degree are now awaiting a decision from the government.

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