The Assam Government’s Education Department has announced a substantial recruitment drive for approximately 75,000 teacher and lecturer positions across the state in 2026, aiming to bolster the educational infrastructure and address existing staffing gaps. The announcement was made in Guwahati on February 18, 2026, alongside the launch of the Provincialisation Management System (PMS 1.0) portal.
This initiative represents one of the largest recruitment drives in Assam’s education sector, intending to significantly strengthen the availability of qualified educators in government educational institutions. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that the vacancies will encompass positions for both school teachers and college lecturers, with a focus on transparent and merit-based selection.
What was announced
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma officially announced the impending recruitment of around 75,000 teachers and lecturers for 2026 during an event in Guwahati on February 18, 2026. The announcement coincided with the launch of the Provincialisation Management System (PMS 1.0), an online portal designed to streamline the provincialisation of venture educational institutions under the Assam Education Act.
Chief Minister Sarma stated that the drive would offer fair opportunities to candidates holding University Grants Commission (UGC) qualifications. The recruitment is part of the state’s ongoing efforts to expand educational access and ensure the availability of qualified teaching staff in government institutions.
Why it matters
The recruitment of 75,000 teachers and lecturers is a critical step towards addressing the persistent shortage of educators and improving the quality of education across Assam. This large-scale induction of new personnel is expected to alleviate the burden on existing staff and enhance the student-teacher ratio, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
For job aspirants, particularly those with UGC qualifications, this drive presents a significant opportunity for government employment. The state government has emphasised a transparent and merit-based recruitment process, aiming to eliminate past irregularities and foster trust in public sector appointments.
Background
Assam has faced a considerable shortage of teachers and infrastructural challenges in its education sector for several years. In March 2023, Education Minister Ranoj Pegu informed the Assembly that nearly 3,000 primary schools in Assam were functioning with only one teacher, and 12,731 schools had a teacher shortage relative to the number of students.
Earlier, a March 2022 survey by the Assam State Primary Teachers’ Association (ASPTA) revealed that 314 primary schools operated without any teachers, and 3,716 schools had only one teacher. More recently, in November 2025, it was reported that almost 28,000 teaching posts remained vacant across rural and char areas, with 12,382 posts in Middle English schools, 8,251 in Lower Primary schools, and 7,303 in Upper Primary schools.
The current government has made significant strides in addressing these vacancies. Chief Minister Sarma noted that nearly 60,000 teachers have already been appointed in recent years. In March 2026, the Chief Minister distributed appointment letters to 5,690 teachers, bringing the total number of government appointments during his tenure to 1,64,359, surpassing the initial target of one lakh jobs. The government has also promised two lakh more corruption-free government job opportunities between 2026 and 2031.
The launch of the Provincialisation Management System (PMS 1.0) is also a key part of this reform. This portal aims to resolve the long-pending issue of provincialisation for venture educational institutions established before 2006, requiring them to submit documentary proof online.
Key details
The recruitment drive will open approximately 75,000 vacancies for teachers and lecturers across various government educational institutions in Assam. The Chief Minister highlighted that candidates with UGC qualifications would receive fair consideration in the selection process.
The announcement on February 18, 2026, also saw the introduction of the PMS 1.0 portal. This system is designed to streamline the provincialisation of venture educational institutions under the Assam Education (Provincialisation of Services of Teachers and Re-Organisation of Educational Institutions) Act, 2017, as amended in 2025. Only institutions that can verify their establishment before 2006 will be deemed eligible for provincialisation through this portal.
The government has assured a transparent and merit-based recruitment process, with preference marks for eligible beneficiaries under special schemes. This recruitment phase is also seen as a final opportunity for pending provincialisation cases.
What’s next
Following the announcement, the Assam Education Department is expected to release detailed notifications outlining the application process, specific eligibility criteria for different posts, and the examination schedule. Candidates aspiring for these positions should regularly monitor official government websites for updates. The Special Assam Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026 notification has already been released for Lower Primary and Upper Primary teachers in Bodo, Garo, Manipuri, and Hmar medium schools, with online applications invited from January 7, 2026, until February 7, 2026.
The state government continues its focus on educational reforms, including vocational education initiatives and financial support schemes for students, aiming to create an educated, empowered, and skilled generation.
Sources & References
Source: Assam Government (Education Department) Announcement