Punjab PTI Recruitment 2026: 2000 Physical Training Instructor Posts

The Education Recruitment Directorate, Punjab, has released a major notification for Physical Training Instructor (PTI) posts in the state’s elementary schools. This is one of the largest recruitment drives in Punjab this year, with 2,000 vacancies open for candidates holding a diploma or certificate in Physical Education.

This recruitment is being carried out for the Physical Training Instructor cadre under the Elementary Education Department, Punjab, following the Punjab State Elementary Education (Physical Training Instructor) Service Rules, 2023, and their First Amendment Rules, 2025. With 2,000 posts on offer and a straightforward written-test-plus-PET selection process, this is a golden opportunity for physical education graduates across Punjab.

Punjab PTI Recruitment 2026: Highlights

The table above summarizes this recruitment at a glance. With 2,000 vacancies spread across multiple reservation categories, this is one of the biggest teaching-support recruitment drives in Punjab. Read on for the full eligibility criteria, category-wise vacancy breakup, selection process, and how to apply.

Who Can Apply for Punjab PTI Post

Candidates who have completed 10+2 along with at least a two-year diploma or certificate in Physical Education, known as D.P.Ed or C.P.Ed (or any other equivalent nomenclature for this course), are eligible to apply. Students currently in the final year of their D.P.Ed/C.P.Ed diploma or certificate course can also apply, but they must pass the diploma before the final recruitment merit list is prepared.

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Knowledge of Punjabi language is compulsory for this recruitment. No person can be appointed unless they have passed Matriculation with Punjabi as a compulsory or elective subject, or have passed a Punjabi-language qualifying test equivalent to Matriculation standard with at least 50% marks. This qualifying test is mandatory for Group-C posts, and failing to secure the minimum 50% marks in Punjabi will disqualify a candidate from the final merit list, regardless of their score in other papers.

Vacancy Details and Category-wise Breakup

The 2,000 vacancies are distributed across General category and several reserved categories, with a specific number of posts reserved for women within each category. The table below gives the full category-wise breakup.

Candidates can apply under only one category through the online portal. Once a category is selected during registration, no changes can be made later, so applicants should confirm their eligible category carefully before applying.

Physical Eligibility Test (PET) Criteria

Selected candidates for the written test must also clear a qualifying Physical Eligibility Test. This is not a scoring component; it only qualifies or disqualifies a candidate. Out of five components, a candidate must successfully clear at least three to qualify.

Persons with disabilities applying under the PwD category will get relaxation in the PET net standards. This relaxation also applies to D.P.Ed/C.P.Ed final-year students and diploma holders applying for this post.

Age Limit (As on 1 January 2025)

The age limit for this recruitment is calculated as on 1 January 2025, and relaxations apply as per the categories listed below:

Application Fee

The application fee is charged based on category, and must be paid online through the application portal.

Ex-servicemen fee relaxation applies only to those who have completed regular Indian Army service or a defined period of short/emergency commission service, and who have not been discharged or dismissed for misconduct before completion of their term. Ex-servicemen and their dependents must submit a Lineal Descendent Certificate (LDC) at the time of document verification. Candidates who make false claims to avail fee relaxation will be blacklisted from all recruitments by the Education Recruitment Directorate, Punjab, for a period of 3 years.

Pay Scale

Selected Physical Training Instructors will receive a fixed consolidated pay of Rs.29,200 per month, with no additional allowance, during the probation period of 3 years, as per the Punjab State Elementary Education (Physical Training Instructor) Service Rules, 2023, and its First Amendment Rules, 2025.

Selection Process

Selection for this recruitment will be based on a single, state-level, common written test conducted at one sitting, followed by the qualifying Physical Eligibility Test. The written test will be an Objective Multiple Choice paper.

If a candidate does not qualify the sports gradation weightage, only the written test score out of 70 marks will be considered for the merit list. Candidates applying under the Sports quota are governed separately by the Punjab Sportsmen Recruitment Rules, 1988, and the sports achievement weightage above does not apply to them. If a candidate holds multiple gradation certificates, weightage can be claimed for only one certificate, issued as per the Revised Gradation Policy 2023 of the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Punjab.

Punjab candidates who qualify the Punjabi language paper as per the standard applicable to them will have only their 70-mark written test paper considered for merit. If candidates from outside Punjab have equal merit marks, age will decide priority; and if both merit and age are equal, the candidate belonging to a professional group with more years of experience will be ranked higher.

Documents Required

Candidates must keep the following documents ready for scrutiny and upload during the application process:

• Matriculation certificate showing date of birth
• 10+2 certificate
• D.P.Ed/C.P.Ed diploma or certificate (or provisional certificate for final-year students)
• Caste certificate with proper caste specification, for SC/BC/reserved category candidates
• EWS certificate, for Economically Weaker Section candidates
• Physically Handicapped certificate, issued by an authorized medical officer, with disability percentage clearly mentioned (minimum 40% for PH candidates)
• Ex-servicemen discharge certificate / Lineal Descendent Certificate (LDC), if applicable
• Sports gradation certificate issued by the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Punjab, if claiming sports weightage
• Recent passport-size photo (2.5×3.5 inches) and postcard-size photo (4×6 inches) with a white background, without cap or goggles
• Scanned signature and fingerprint impressions of both hands on white paper

Important Dates

How to Apply for Punjab PTI Post

This is a completely online recruitment process, conducted through the Education Recruitment Directorate’s official website. Follow these steps to apply:

1. Visit the official website, erd.punjab.gov.in.
2. Click on “New Registration” and fill in the required details to register. Note that once registration is done, the information cannot be updated or edited later, so fill it carefully.
3. After registration, log in to your account using your registration number and password.
4. Click on the “Application Fee” link and pay the fee online.
5. After the fee is confirmed, fill in the complete application form and take a printout for your own record. There is no need to send the printout or any documents to the office by post.
6. Upload a recent passport-size photo (2.5×3.5 inches), a postcard-size photo (4×6 inches), and scanned copies of your signature and fingerprint impressions as specified in the notification.
7. Submit the application before the deadline of 31 August 2026.

Why You Should Apply for This Post

With 2,000 vacancies on offer, this is one of the largest Physical Training Instructor recruitment drives conducted by the Punjab government in recent years. The selection process is straightforward, based on a single objective-type written test and a qualifying physical test, making it accessible to diploma holders across the state. A fixed government pay scale and a clear 3-year probation structure make this a stable career opportunity for physical education graduates.

Preparation Tips

Since the written test carries the maximum weightage of 70 marks, candidates should focus their preparation on core Physical Education subject knowledge, general awareness, and Punjab-specific general knowledge, along with basic reasoning and language sections typically included in such objective papers.

Alongside written test preparation, candidates should start practicing for the Physical Eligibility Test components, such as the 30-meter flying start, standing broad jump, shuttle run, and the 1600-meter run, well in advance, since this is a qualifying test and clearing at least three of the five components is compulsory to remain in contention.

General Instructions

• Candidates can apply under only one category. The category once selected cannot be changed later under any circumstances.
• Reservation benefits are available only to candidates domiciled in Punjab.
• Ex-servicemen and heir-based reservation applies only to permanent residents of Punjab, and requires a certificate from a competent authority.
• The application fee is non-refundable, and no changes can be made once the fee is paid.
• Candidates are responsible for entering their correct mobile number and email ID, as these cannot be changed after submission, and all future communication will be sent to these details.
• The Department reserves the right to cancel this advertisement at any time, for any reason, without responsibility for any resulting inconvenience to candidates.
• Candidates should regularly check the official website, erd.punjab.gov.in, for the latest updates related to this recruitment.

Important Links

• Apply Online / Official Website
• Download Official Notification PDF
• Download NaukriPatra App
• Join NaukriPatra WhatsApp Channel
• Join NaukriPatra Telegram Channel

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many total vacancies are there in this recruitment?

There are 2,000 vacancies in total for the Physical Training Instructor post, spread across General and various reserved categories.

What is the qualification required for this post?

10+2 along with at least a two-year diploma or certificate in Physical Education (D.P.Ed/C.P.Ed or equivalent nomenclature).

What is the last date to apply online?

The last date to apply online and pay the fee is 31 August 2026. Applications open on 1 August 2026.

What is the pay scale for this post?

Rs.29,200 per month, fixed and consolidated, during a 3-year probation period.

What is the age limit for this recruitment?

18 to 37 years as on 1 January 2025 for General category, with relaxation of 5 years for SC/BC of Punjab and other relaxations for specific categories as detailed in the notification.

What is the application fee?

Rs.2,000 for General and other categories, Rs.1,000 for SC/ST candidates, and no fee for Ex-servicemen of Punjab.

Is the Physical Eligibility Test (PET) scored?

No, the PET is only a qualifying test. Candidates must clear at least 3 out of 5 components to qualify; it does not add marks to the merit list.

Is knowledge of Punjabi language mandatory?

Yes, candidates must have passed Matriculation with Punjabi as a subject, or clear a qualifying Punjabi-language test with a minimum of 50% marks.

How is the final merit list prepared?

Out of 100 marks: up to 70 marks from the written test and up to 30 marks from sports achievement gradation, where applicable.

Can final-year D.P.Ed/C.P.Ed students apply?

Yes, but they must pass their diploma or certificate course before the final recruitment merit list is prepared.

Where can I download the official notification?

The official notification PDF is linked in the Important Links section above, and it is also available on the official website, erd.punjab.gov.in.