‘Limited time for preparation’: Delhi govt school teachers urge UPSC to postpone principal recruitment test

The Government School Teachers Association (GSTA), Delhi, has urged the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to postpone or reschedule the Combined Recruitment Test (CRT) for the posts of principal and vice-principal, citing the pressure of compulsory BLO duties during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The commission has scheduled the CRT examination on November 1, 2026 to recruit a total of 828 posts, including 124 principal, and 704 vice-principal positions. The vacancies will be filled in the education department of the government of NCT of Delhi.

Explaining their ordeal, the Delhi government school teachers said: “A large number of serving teachers of Delhi Government schools, who are eligible and prospective candidates for these posts, have simultaneously been deployed as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and BLO Supervisors in connection with the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls.”

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SIR is a time-bound intensive exercise: Teachers

“The SIR is a time-bound and intensive electoral exercise requiring BLOs to undertake extensive field verification, visit electors, verify and collect prescribed documents, complete statutory forms, upload electoral information and submit reports within fixed timelines,” the statement read.

According to the association, the teachers have been continuously performing BLO/BLO Supervisor duties since April 2026 and as their school hours are utilised in teaching, academic and institutional responsibilities, a “substantial” part of the SIR-related work has to be carried out before or after school hours, on weekends and public holidays and, wherever directed, during the entire working day.

Therefore, they have a very limited time and opportunity for systematic preparation for the UPSC recruitment examination, it added.

“The matter assumes greater significance because the recruitment itself relates to the Education Department, GNCT of Delhi, and serving PGTs/TGTs constitute a major pool of eligible candidates,” it said.

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Teachers request 'fair and reasonable' opportunity

For the post of vice-principal, candidates need at least 2 years’ of in-service experience as a PGT or three years as a TGT. However, the majority of teachers are presently occupied with compulsory SIR duties assigned by the election authorities, the teachers’ group stated.

Furthermore, the continuation of the intensive phase of SIR duties immediately preceding the examination has placed such teacher-candidates at a genuine disadvantage in comparison with candidates who are not burdened with similar additional public duties, it added.

The association has requested the UPSC to allow a “fair and reasonable” opportunity to teachers who are determined in the BLO duties by rescheduling the recruitment exam.