Punjab Master Cadre
Recruitment of Master/Mistress (TGT-level) teachers for Classes 6–10 in Punjab government schools, in subjects such as Mathematics, Science, English, Social Studies, Punjabi and Hindi.
Eligibility
Graduation with the required subject combination and marks (typically 55%, with concessions for reserved categories), a B.Ed with the teaching subject, and a pass in PSTET Paper II. Punjabi must have been studied up to matriculation, as Punjab service rules require. The age limit is 18–37 years, with relaxation for SC/BC, PwD and Punjab government employees, and a domicile or category certificate is needed to claim reservation.
Age limit: 18–37 years (relaxations for SC/BC, PwD, Punjab government employees)
Exam pattern
Written test of 150 MCQs at 1 mark each in about 150 minutes, mainly on the candidate's own teaching subject at graduation level. Recent rounds have also included teaching methodology and general awareness, and have carried no negative marking. Recent ERD recruitments have also had a qualifying Punjabi language test at Class 10 standard. Selection is on written-test merit followed by document verification. Confirm the exact scheme in each notification.
Syllabus at a glance
The core is the candidate's own subject at graduation level, linked to Classes 6–10 Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) content. It also includes pedagogy and methods of teaching that subject, and may cover Punjab history, culture and current affairs, plus the Punjabi language paper (grammar and comprehension).
Upcoming dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Next Master Cadre recruitment notification | Not yet notified on the ERD portal | tba |
| Online application window | About 3–4 weeks from the notification | tba |
| Written exam | Typically 2–3 months after applications close | tba |
| PSTET 2027 (required eligibility for new applicants) | Feb – Mar 2027 | expected |
Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.
Free prep material
Standard books
- PSEB textbooks, Classes 6–10 (subject-specific) – Punjab School Education Board
- NCERT textbooks, Classes 6–12 (subject-specific)
- Child Development and Pedagogy – Shalini Punjabi (Arihant)
- Lucent's General Knowledge – Lucent Publications
- Objective General English – S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
How toppers play it
- Most of the 150 marks come from your own subject, so revise graduation-level content thoroughly and anchor it to PSEB Classes 6–10 textbooks.
- Do not treat the Punjabi qualifying test lightly. Failing it cancels your candidature regardless of your merit score, so practise Class 10 Punjabi grammar (vyakaran) and comprehension.
- Recent rounds have had no negative marking, so attempt every question. Confirm this in the notice before the exam.
- Clear PSTET Paper II and keep matric Punjabi, B.Ed and category certificates ready. Document verification has disqualified many candidates in past rounds.
- Download the answer keys from earlier rounds on the ERD site to calibrate the difficulty and the subject-wise topics that ERD favours.