Gujarat relaxes pre-PTC admission age limit to 30 years

The Gujarat government has recently extended the age limit for admission to pre-PTC (Primary Teachers’ Certificate) colleges, allowing candidates up to 30 years old, up from the previous maximum of 24 years. This change aims to support individuals who may have taken a break from their education and wish to pursue a career in teaching later in life. The government also announced several other reforms to enhance opportunities in pre-PTC diploma colleges for Early Childhood Education (DECEd).

These reforms include increasing the number of seats and reservations for candidates from various backgrounds. The number of seats per class has risen from 50 to 62, with 17 seats reserved for Socially and Educationally Backward Class candidates (27 per cent), four seats for Scheduled Caste candidates (7 per cent), and nine seats for Scheduled Tribe candidates (15 per cent). Additionally, six seats have been made available for the first time under the 10 per cent reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

The government has also introduced flexibility in the medium of instruction for admission, allowing candidates to apply for any medium in which they studied in Class 10 or Class 12. In cases where seats remain vacant in a particular medium, candidates can opt for admission in another language they have studied. Furthermore, 5 per cent of the total seats have been reserved for persons with disabilities, as per Section 32 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Eligible candidates will be admitted based on their preference and merit, ensuring their disability does not hinder their ability to perform duties as a teacher.