Polytechnic Lecturer eligibility in Kerala: B.Tech, M.Tech and the first-class rule
Lecturer in a Government Polytechnic is one of the few Kerala PSC teaching posts open with just a B.Tech, and it is paid on the AICTE scale. But it has one rule that catches many engineers out: the first class. Here is the full eligibility, for both Electrical and Electronics.
The degree you need
| Post | Degree (first class) | Last notification |
|---|---|---|
| Lecturer in Electrical Engineering | Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Technology in an appropriate branch. Preference: Electrical, then Electrical and Electronics | Cat. No. 306/2022 |
| Lecturer in Electronics Engineering | Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Technology. Preference: Electronics, then Applied Electronics, then Electronics and Communication | Cat. No. 720/2024 |
The first-class rule
For the AE posts, any pass in the right degree is enough. For Lecturer in Polytechnic, the degree must be first class. If your degree is second class, this post is closed to you, however well you would do in the exam. Check your degree certificate or mark list now, before you plan around this post.
Do you need an M.Tech?
No. A first-class B.Tech is enough to apply. But an M.Tech helps in two ways:
- Higher pay sooner. Polytechnic Lecturers in Kerala are on the 7th AICTE pay scale, and the Directorate of Technical Education places Lecturers in Level 10 (entry pay ₹57,700) on acquiring an M.Tech, or after 5 years of service.
- A path upward. The same M.Tech makes you eligible for Assistant Professor in a Government Engineering College.
Higher qualifications such as M.Phil. or Ph.D. also earn weightage marks in the Lecturer selection.
Age limit
The last notifications allowed ages 20 to 39, with the usual relaxations for SC, ST, OBC and eligible government employees. In February 2026 Kerala raised the general upper age limit for PSC recruitment by four years, so check the age range in the next notification; it may be higher. Details are in Kerala PSC AE eligibility and age limit.
How the selection works
An OMR written test for 100 marks, then an interview for shortlisted candidates, then the ranked list. For Electrical, about 70 marks of the written test are the same core subjects as the AE exams, plus 30 marks of technical mathematics and basic engineering (see the comparison). For Electronics, the syllabus is set out in our Lecturer in Electronics syllabus guide.
Where the posts stand (November 2026)
- Electrical: the ranked list from Cat. No. 306/2022 is active till 11 December 2027.
- Electronics: Cat. No. 720/2024, interviews held on 1 July 2026, ranked list published in November 2026 (see the update).
Prepare with Engineering PSC
For Electrical, our AE level course covers the core syllabus shared by Lecturer in Polytechnic and the AE exams, live Monday to Friday mornings from 6 to 7, every class recorded, with printed books, 10 questions a day and a weekly mock. Not sure if your degree qualifies? Send it to us on WhatsApp and we will check it against the notification with you.