Gujarat raises Pre-PTC admission age limit to 30, introduces EWS and disability quotas

The Gujarat government announced on October 8, 2026, a revision to the admission criteria for Pre-PTC (D.E.C.Ed.) colleges, also known as Bal Adhyapan Mandirs. These changes include an increase in the maximum age limit for applicants and the introduction of reservation quotas for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and persons with disabilities.

The reforms aim to broaden access to pre-primary teacher training and expand admission opportunities for a wider range of candidates. The changes were announced under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, with Education Minister Pradyuman Vaja and Minister of State for Education, Rivaba Jadeja, overseeing the education portfolio.

Revised Age Limit and Eligibility Criteria

The maximum age for admission to Pre-PTC (D.E.C.Ed.) colleges has been raised from 24 to 30 years, effective as of July 1 of the relevant academic year. This adjustment is intended to allow more individuals to pursue pre-primary education training.

Candidates seeking admission must have secured at least 50% marks in Class 12 from the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board or other recognized boards, including CBSE and ICSE. A 5% relaxation in these minimum marks is available for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) categories, and persons with disabilities. Furthermore, SC, ST, SEBC, EWS categories, and persons with disabilities will receive an additional five-year relaxation in the maximum age limit.

Introduction of New Reservation Quotas and Increased Seats

The Gujarat government has introduced new reservation policies for EWS candidates and persons with disabilities, alongside an increase in the total number of seats per class. The number of seats per class in Pre-PTC colleges has been increased from 50 to 62, representing a 25% increase in sanctioned strength.

The revised seat allocation includes specific quotas for various categories, aiming to enhance inclusivity in the pre-primary teacher training programs. A 5% reservation is provided for persons with disabilities, in accordance with Section 32 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Admission Process Updates for 2026-2027

The D.El.Ed. admission process for the 2026-2027 academic year has seen several updates and extensions. The online college selection process, initially scheduled from September 24, 2026, to September 28, 2026, was extended to October 2, 2026. Candidates were subsequently given an opportunity to change their college preferences from October 5, 2026, to October 7, 2026, until 11:59 PM.

The provisional merit list for D.El.Ed. first-year admission 2026-27 was announced, with objection applications accepted on September 7, 8, and 9, 2026. The last date for document verification and form submission for the D.El.Ed. (PTC) admission process 2026-27 was extended to July 8, 2026. Candidates can seek admission to an institution offering a medium in which they studied either in Class 10 or Class 12.

Further reading

• CA students face knee-deep water at ICAI exam venue in Howrah on September 2, 2026

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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