Punjab SC Commission seeks suspension of Lecturer Recruitment over roster irregularities, seeks report by August 3
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, July 27, 2026: The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has directed the School Education Department to halt the ongoing lecturer recruitment process until issues related to reservation roster registers are clarified. The Commission has also sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the department by August 3, 2026.
Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi said the decision was taken after the Commission found discrepancies in the records submitted by the School Education Department in response to an earlier notice.
According to the Commission, the department failed to provide selection lists for direct recruitment from 1990 to 2025 showing candidates' merit marks, stating that the records were old and would take nearly two months to compile. The Commission questioned how the roster registers had been prepared in the absence of these records.
The Commission further noted that, instead of certified copies of the original roster registers for the advertised lecturer posts, the department submitted computer-generated lists of currently serving employees, which it said did not comply with prescribed rules.
It also pointed out that the department had not furnished copies of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) or approvals issued by the Social Welfare Department for de-reservation or carry-forward of reserved vacancies meant for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes.
After examining the available documents, the Commission observed that there appeared to be large-scale violations of the Punjab Government's reservation policy and guidelines governing the preparation and maintenance of roster registers. It said these alleged irregularities could adversely affect the constitutional rights of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, women and other reserved categories.
The Commission further stated that such violations of the reservation policy may attract provisions under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Pending submission of the original roster registers, merit-based selection lists and the required approvals relating to reserved vacancies, the Commission has directed that all further stages of the lecturer recruitment process remain on hold. It has asked the School Education Department to submit a detailed Action Taken Report by August 3, 2026.