Karnataka government retains 6,086 guest lecturers to address teacher shortage in PU colleges

The Karnataka government has approved the director of the department of school education to retain 6,086 guest lecturers previously appointed for government pre-university colleges (PUC) for the 2026-27 academic year. The move comes after several government PU colleges highlighted the shortage of teachers, affecting students’ academic interests.

The Karnataka government has approved the allocation of Rs 85.20 crore in the 2026-27 budget for this purpose.

Earlier in 2016, the state government ordered that guest lecturers be appointed in vacant teaching posts. During 2024-25, approval was given to appoint 4,689 guest lecturers in Karnataka PUC colleges.

Moreover, for the academic year 2025-26, due to continued vacancies, the Karnataka government also approved the appointment of 819 additional guest lecturers.

PUC colleges list demands, flag concerns

Karantaka’s school education department reported that, around 100 government PU Colleges function with only a principal, about 60 of them have no regular lecturers, and many sanctioned teaching posts are vacant because recruitment has not yet been completed.

The school education department further informed the state government that, for the academic year 2026-27, they would need the demands listed below to be met.

• A total of 74 government PU Colleges require guest lecturers,
• Overall requirement of 6,687 guest lecturers.
• Approximately Rs 93.61 crore would be needed if each lecturer is paid Rs 14,000 per month for 10 months

After reviewing the proposal, the Karnataka govt approved the continuation of guest lecturer posts in government PU colleges for the academic year 2026–27 in the interest of students. Additionally, salaries for appointed guest lecturers during 2026–27 will be paid under the specified Government PU colleges budget head.