The STI merit list 2026 is the next big milestone for candidates hoping to join Punjab’s School Teacher Internship programme. After the School Education Department approved fresh STI hiring against vacant slots on 25 September 2026, many applicants have started searching for merit lists, cut-offs and selection dates.
Where things stand with the STI merit list 2026:
- The STI merit list 2026 has not been released yet.
- Fresh hiring against vacant slots was approved on 25 September 2026.
- Seats will follow a district-wise allocation.
- Objections to the STI merit list 2026 are expected at tehsil level, as in the last cycle.
Here is the honest position: no 2026 merit list has been released yet. This guide explains what has been approved, how the merit list process worked in the last cycle, where the list is expected to appear, and how to raise an objection if your name is missing. You can also use our district-wise merit list checker to see the current status for your district.
Table of Contents
STI Merit List 2026: Current Status
As of 29 September 2026, the official position is as follows:
- The School Education Department’s notification of 25 September allows fresh hiring against vacant slots under the STI Program 2024.
- Recruitment will follow a district-wise allocation, so the number of seats will differ between districts.
- No application schedule, closing date or merit list date has been announced in the official notification.
This means that any website or social media page showing a “2026 STI merit list” right now is not based on an official release. Candidates should wait for the district-wise process to begin. For background on the approval, read our report on fresh STI hiring against vacant slots.
Check Your District’s Merit List Status
Select your district and your status below. The checker shows the current position and takes you to the official School Education Department website.
STI Merit List 2026 CheckerSelect your district to see the current status and where to check
2026 merit listAwaited
Where displayedSchool notice boards + portal
ObjectionsAt tehsil level
Status as of 29 September 2026. No 2026 merit list has been officially released yet. We will update this tool when it is.
STI Merit List by District
Open the page for your district to see its latest status, how to check the list locally and how to object if your name is missing:
STI Merit List Rawalpindi | STI Merit List Faisalabad | STI Merit List Multan | STI Merit List Sargodha | STI Merit List Sheikhupura | STI Merit List Bahawalpur | STI Merit List Vehari | STI Merit List Chiniot | STI Merit List Okara | STI Merit List Jhang | STI Merit List Rahim Yar Khan | STI Merit List Dera Ghazi Khan | STI Merit List Lahore | STI Merit List Sialkot | STI Merit List Gujranwala | STI Merit List Khanewal | STI Merit List Mianwali | STI Merit List Mandi Bahauddin
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How the STI Merit List Worked in the Last Cycle
The best guide to what will happen in 2026 is the process followed in the previous round. In November 2025, applications opened for 12,500 School Teacher Interns, and the department then announced a clear timeline for selection in December 2025:
| Date (last cycle) | Stage |
|---|---|
| 3 December 2025 | Initial merit list displayed on school notice boards |
| 4 to 5 December 2025 | Objections submitted and heard at tehsil level |
| 6 to 7 December 2025 | Interviews of shortlisted candidates |
| 8 December 2025 | Final merit list issued on notice boards and the online portal |
| 9 December 2025 | Appointment orders planned (later put on hold for objections) |
Interviews in that round assessed qualifications, teaching skills and overall suitability. The department also told school heads, applicants and staff to follow the timeline carefully so the process remained transparent.
The 2026 process may follow a similar pattern, but the dates and steps will only be confirmed when the department issues a new schedule.
Where Will the STI Merit List 2026 Be Displayed?
Based on the last cycle, the merit list is likely to appear in two places:
- School notice boards at the schools where vacancies exist
- The official online portal used for the recruitment
Because STI placements are school-specific, the initial merit list is usually displayed at school level first. Candidates should keep in touch with the schools they applied to, not only check online. Official notices from the department are published on schools.punjab.gov.pk.
How Merit Is Worked Out
The detailed merit formula for 2026 has not been published yet. In general, STI selection gives weight to academic qualifications and includes an interview for shortlisted candidates. Our explainer on how the STI merit score is calculated covers the approach used previously.
Former Phase One and Phase Two interns should note that they are not part of the merit list for continuation. They continue through fresh agreements, which you can check with our STI fresh agreement 2026-27 checker.
What to Do If Your Name Is Missing
Every cycle, some candidates find their names missing or their marks recorded wrongly. The objection window in the last cycle was only two days, so speed matters.
- Check the list carefully, including spelling variations of your name and your CNIC number.
- Compare your marks with your own certificates.
- Prepare copies of your CNIC, degrees and application receipt.
- Submit a written objection at the tehsil level within the announced window.
- Keep a copy of your objection and note the date and office.
Our guides on why your name may be missing from the STI merit list and the appeal process against the STI merit list explain each step in more detail.
How to Prepare Before the List Is Released
Waiting for a merit list can feel passive, but there is useful work you can do now:
- Keep your educational documents and CNIC copies ready
- Confirm your eligibility using our guide on who can apply for the STI programme
- Track vacant seats in your area through our district-wise STI vacancies page
- Prepare for the interview by reviewing basic teaching methods and your subject knowledge
- Avoid paying anyone who promises a place on the merit list
Understanding the District-Wise Allocation
The phrase “district-wise allocation” appears in the official notification, and it has a direct effect on your chances. It means the department decides how many vacant STI slots each district can fill, based on where schools need teachers. A large district may not have many seats if its schools are already well staffed, while a smaller district with shortages may have more.
For candidates, this changes how you should plan. Instead of only watching province-wide news, focus on the schools and district where you are eligible to apply. When the allocation is published, compare the number of seats with the likely number of applicants in your subject. This gives a realistic picture of competition.
Common Mistakes Candidates Made in the Last Cycle
Many applicants lost their chance in the previous round because of avoidable errors. Learning from them can make a real difference in 2026:
- Missing the objection window. The window lasted only two days, and late objections were not heard.
- Wrong details in the application. Small errors in CNIC numbers or marks caused names to be missing or marks to be recorded incorrectly.
- Relying on unofficial lists. Some candidates trusted screenshots on social media that did not match the official notice boards.
- Not preparing for the interview. Shortlisted candidates who had not reviewed basic teaching methods struggled in a short interview.
Double-check every detail when you apply, and keep copies of everything you submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the STI merit list 2026 been released?
No. As of 29 September 2026, no official 2026 merit list has been published. Fresh hiring has been approved, but the schedule has not been announced.
Will there be one merit list for all of Punjab?
Recruitment follows a district-wise allocation, and in the last cycle lists were displayed at school level. Expect district and school-based lists rather than a single provincial list.
Can I check the merit list with my CNIC?
In the last cycle, the final list was published on the official portal, and appointment orders were planned through it. Use only the official portal once the department confirms it is open.
Do former STIs need to appear on the merit list?
No. Eligible Phase One and Phase Two interns continue through fresh agreements until 31 May 2027.
When will the STI merit list 2026 be released?
No date has been announced. The STI merit list 2026 will follow once the department issues the recruitment schedule for fresh hiring.
Final Word
Sources: Background on the STI merit list 2026 comes from the notification covered by ProPakistani and the last-cycle timeline reported by ProPakistani. Official notices: School Education Department.
The STI merit list 2026 has not been issued yet, but fresh hiring has been approved and the district-wise process is expected to follow. Use the checker to track your district, prepare your documents early and be ready to act quickly during the objection window. We will update this page as soon as an official schedule is announced, so keep checking our latest STI updates.