The STI eligibility criteria 2026 matter more than ever. On 25 September 2026, the Punjab School Education Department allowed fresh hiring of School Teacher Interns against vacant seats. This hiring follows the rules of the STI Program 2024. So if you want an STI seat this year, you first need to know whether you qualify.
This guide explains the age limit, education, domicile and other rules in simple words. It also has a free STI eligibility checker so you can test your own profile in a few seconds.
- Fresh STI hiring was approved on 25 September 2026.
- Hiring follows the STI Program 2024 criteria and a district-wise allocation.
- The age range used in STI criteria is 21 to 45 years.
- You must have a Punjab domicile and apply in your own district.
- The stipend is Rs38,000 to Rs45,000 a month, depending on school level.
STI Eligibility Checker 2026
Answer 4 quick questions to see if you can apply for STI jobs 2026.
Opening the official School Education Department website…
Estimate only, based on STI Program 2024 criteria as reported. The district advertisement has the final word.
STI Eligibility Criteria 2026 at a Glance
Here is a quick summary of the main STI jobs eligibility rules. Always match these with the advertisement of your district, because seats and subjects change from district to district.
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| Age | 21 to 45 years (check the cut-off date in the advert) |
| Domicile | Valid Punjab domicile |
| District | Apply in your own district (local candidates are preferred) |
| Education | Relevant degree for the school level; 16-year degree for high and higher secondary seats |
| Teaching degree | B.Ed / M.Ed or other professional teaching qualification strengthens your merit |
| Nature of job | Temporary internship, not a permanent post |
Age Limit for STI Jobs 2026
The STI Program 2024 criteria have used an age limit of 21 to 45 years. The age is normally counted on the closing date of applications. The 25 September notification does not announce a new age limit, so the same range is expected to apply. If your district advert shows a different date or limit, follow the advert.
Education and Qualification
Your qualification decides which school level you can apply for. STI interns are placed in primary, elementary (middle), high and higher secondary schools. Higher levels need a higher and more relevant degree.
- High and higher secondary seats: a 16-year relevant degree such as BS (Hons), MA or MSc in the subject you will teach.
- Primary and elementary seats: check the advert for the minimum degree. Graduation is the usual starting point.
- Professional qualification: reports on the STI policy said a teaching qualification such as B.Ed or M.Ed was part of the criteria. Even where it is not compulsory, it can help your merit.
Subject match is very important. If a school needs a mathematics teacher, a candidate with a mathematics degree will be preferred over someone with an unrelated degree.
Domicile and District Rule
STI hiring is district-based. Reports on the programme said candidates must belong to the district where they apply, and merit lists are prepared at school and district level. So you should apply for schools in the district shown on your domicile. Married women should check the advert to see whether they can apply in their husband’s district, and keep the Nikah Nama and husband’s CNIC ready if that option is allowed.
Open to Men, Women and Transgender Candidates
The STI policy states that interns are engaged in primary, elementary, high and higher secondary schools of Punjab, and it names men, women and transgender candidates. So every eligible candidate can apply, as long as they meet the age, domicile and education rules for the seat.
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Who Cannot Apply, and Who Does Not Need To
Some people ask whether they should apply again. The 25 September 2026 notification made two separate decisions, so the answer depends on your situation.
- Serving Phase 1 and Phase 2 interns do not need to apply again. They continue through fresh agreements from 24 August 2026 to 31 May 2027. See our STI fresh agreement 2026-27 guide.
- Former interns who left before 31 May 2026 are not covered by the extension, but they can apply in fresh hiring if they meet the criteria.
- Candidates without a Punjab domicile are not eligible.
- Candidates outside the 21 to 45 age range should not apply unless the district advert allows it.
STI Stipend by School Level
Under the STI Program 2024, the monthly stipend depends on the level of the school where you are placed. These are the figures reported for the programme:
| School level | Monthly stipend |
|---|---|
| Primary | Rs38,000 |
| Elementary (Middle) | Rs40,000 |
| High and Higher Secondary | Rs45,000 |
The stipend is not a government salary. The internship is temporary and non-transferable, and it does not give a right to a permanent post. Interns who complete the term are expected to get a certificate. For payment rules and the reported Rs15,000 allowance for existing interns, read our STI stipend 2026-27 guide.
How Selection Works After You Qualify
Meeting the STI eligibility criteria only lets you apply. Selection is on merit. In the last cycle (December 2025), the process moved fast:
- Initial merit list on school notice boards
- Two days for objections at tehsil level
- Interviews of shortlisted candidates
- Final merit list on notice boards and the online portal
- Appointment orders planned (later put on hold for objections)
Merit gives weight to your academic record, and shortlisted candidates face an interview. Hiring committees at school level, with the head teacher and school council, were part of the process. Track your district in our STI merit list 2026 guide and check seats on the district-wise STI vacancies page.
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How to Check Your Eligibility Step by Step
- Check your age on the closing date. It should fall between 21 and 45 years.
- Confirm your domicile district. You will apply for schools in that district.
- Match your degree with the school level and subject in the advert.
- List your teaching qualifications, such as B.Ed or M.Ed, and any teaching experience.
- Read the district advert for any extra condition, then prepare your documents.
If all five points match, you are ready to apply as soon as your district opens the process.
Common Eligibility Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying in a district that does not match your domicile
- Applying for a subject that does not match your degree
- Wrong date of birth or CNIC number in the form
- Relying on old 2025 posts or WhatsApp messages instead of the current advert
- Paying anyone who promises a seat. There is no fee to be selected as an STI.
Keep your papers ready before applications open. Our STI required documents checklist lists everything you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the age limit for STI jobs 2026?
STI criteria have used an age range of 21 to 45 years. Check the cut-off date in your district advert.
Can I apply for STI in another district?
STI hiring is district-based, and local candidates are preferred. Apply in the district of your domicile unless the advert says otherwise.
Is B.Ed compulsory for STI?
Reports on the policy said a professional teaching qualification was part of the criteria. Check your district advert. In any case, a B.Ed or M.Ed strengthens your merit.
What is the STI stipend in 2026?
Under the STI Program 2024 it is Rs38,000 for primary, Rs40,000 for elementary and Rs45,000 for high and higher secondary schools.
Is STI a permanent job?
No. It is a temporary internship. It does not create a right to regular appointment.
Final Word
The STI eligibility criteria 2026 are simple: be 21 to 45, hold a Punjab domicile, apply in your own district and have the right degree for the school level. Use the checker above, prepare your documents and follow the latest STI recruitment update for the application schedule.
Sources: School Education Department notification of 25 September 2026 (reported by ProPakistani); STI Program 2024 policy as reported by Daily Pakistan. Official notices: School Education Department.