The Karnataka Legislative Assembly has given the green light to the Karnataka State Civil Services (Regulation of Transfer of Teachers) (Amendment) Bill, 2026. This fresh piece of legislation brings significant changes to the process of transferring teachers across the state.
According to the new rules, teacher transfers will take place through a counseling system with a minimum service period of 12 years. Priority will be given to filling up critical teaching positions before transferring teachers to other positions. The new bill also prohibits the transfer of teachers from teaching positions to non-teaching positions. This is to address the acute shortage of teachers in schools.
According to the Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Madhu Bangarappa, special arrangements have been made for women teachers. Pregnant women teachers or teachers with kids below five years of age will have the option to transfer within their respective zones and retain their positions for five years. The state budget has allocated funds for the recruitment of 15,000 teachers for the current fiscal year, replacing the existing vacancy of around 50,000 teachers. The recruitment drive is to start soon after the issue related to internal reservation for SC teachers is resolved. It is also mentioned that the Kalyana Karnataka region will receive 5,800 teachers.
The bill divides the key positions into three categories: lecturers in Government Pre-University Colleges, teachers in Karnataka Public Schools and PM SHRI schools, and leadership positions such as Head Masters and Principals. Also, teachers who have been serving in non-teaching capacities in places such as DIETs and DSERT for a period of at least three years will have to return to their teaching roles under the new policy.
