Higher Education Department Punjab Sets New Benchmarks for Deputy Director Appointments–Official Notification

Punjab Government Updates Criteria for Deputy Directors in Colleges:

The Government of Punjab’s Higher Education Department (HED) has released a revised selection and appointment criteria for the post of Deputy Director (Colleges) across Punjab. This update aims to ensure a transparent, merit-based selection process for eligible officers in BS-18 who aspire to hold administrative roles in the education sector.

The new benchmarks include educational qualifications, seniority, written tests, administrative experience, and interview marks. The mandatory conditions such as NOC from the principal, clearance from the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE), and no pending inquiries have also been outlined. Additionally, candidates must achieve a minimum of 60% qualifying marks in the written test to proceed further.

This step is expected to enhance leadership quality, management efficiency, and administrative capabilities in Punjab’s education system. Candidates meeting the revised criteria will be shortlisted for interviews, and only top five candidates per slot will be considered. For a detailed breakdown of the revised selection criteria, please refer to the official notification below.

GOVERNMENT OF THE PUNJAB
HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Dated Lahore, the 20^th February, 2025

Notification

SUBJECT:             No.SO(EM-I)Criteria/DDCs/2025. Pursuant to the approval of the Competent Authority/Secretary, Higher Education Department, the revised eligibility criteria for the selection / appointment of DEPUTY DIRECTOR (COLLEGES) IN PUNJAB is notified as under:-

Sr. No.	Benchmarks	Detail of Marks				Max. Marks
1.	Educational Qualification	Ph. D from Foreign University = 10 Ph. D from Local University Ph.D from Local University = 07		M.Phil from Foreign University = 05 M.Phil   M.Phil from Local University = 03		10
2.	ACRS (for last 05 years)	Good	Very Good		Outstanding	10
		5x½ =2.5	5×1=5		5×2=10
3.	Seniority in respective scale	1-100-10, 101-200=08, 201-300=06, 301-400=04, 401-500=02, 501-last=01				10
4.	Written Test	Written Test (Mandatory Requirement) (qualifying marks would be 60% of the total marks and number obtained by each candidate shall be incorporated with max. limit of 30 marks and minimum limit of 18 qualifying marks)				30
5.	* Administrative Experience (for last five years)	Deputy Directors (Colleges) (Regular/additional assignment given by the Competent Authority)/Principal/ DDOS/Assistant Director (Colleges) / Section Officer/ Deputy Secretary (on technical quota/attachment) (the administrative experience shall only be counted if the proper competent authority has issued the said appointment/posting orders)				20
Total Marks						80
INTERVIEW MARKS (following is the breakup)						20
Management Aptitude						07
Leadership Qualities						07
Communication Skills and Subject Knowledge						06
TOTAL (80+20) =						100

MANDATORY CONDITIONS:

a) NOC from the Principal concerned

b) Passing of the qualifying written test

c) No Inquiry / No Audit Para certificate

d) Clearance certificate from Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE)

*             The Deputy Secretary, appointed / posted by the Competent Authority in Higher Education Department shall be considered as CATEGORY-A officer and shall be granted 04 marks for 365 days.

The Deputy Directors & Principals (regular basis) / Vice Principals (only on designated posts) appointed/posted by the Competent Authority shall be considered as CATEGORY-B officer and shall be granted 3.50 marks for 365 days.

The Deputy Directors, Principals (additional assignments / DDOS) and Section Officers in Higher Education Department appointed / posted by the Competent Authority shall be considered as CATEGORY-C officer and shall be granted 03 marks for 365 days.

The Assistant Directors (regular / attachment basis) appointed / posted by the Competent Authority shall be considered as CATEGORY-D officer and shall be granted 2.50 marks for 365 days.

CONDITIONS:

If an applicant is in the last two years of his service period, he shall not be considered for any administrative post.

Panel of top 05 eligible candidates will be shortlisted for the interview against each slot.

Only those candidates shall be shortlisted for the interview who had qualified the written test conducted by Higher Education Department or its authorized institution/university/agency.

Only the officers in BS-18 shall be eligible to apply for these posts.

The officers shall be posted after scrutinizing the applicant’s service record. Those who have had any penalties imposed upon them during the last 05 years or are currently undergoing inquiry / disciplinary proceedings against them will not be considered for posting against administrative posts.

The Normal tenure of officer’s postings will be (03) three years, subject to satisfactory performance to be evaluated by selection / interview committee. However, the administrative department reserves the right to annul such postings on administrative grounds at any time.

No officer shall be posted against the same place of posting for his 2^nd tenure.

SECRETARY
HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

A Step Towards Transparent and Efficient Education Administration:

The Higher Education Department Punjab has taken a significant step in refining the selection process for Deputy Directors (Colleges). By setting clear eligibility benchmarks and incorporating a structured evaluation system, the department aims to ensure that only the most competent and qualified officers take on leadership roles.

The revised policy prioritizes merit and administrative experience, eliminating any potential biases or irregularities in appointments. This initiative will contribute towards strengthening Punjab’s higher education institutions, improving governance, educational policies, and administrative efficiency.

Aspiring candidates are advised to carefully review the notification, ensure they meet all mandatory conditions, and prepare for the selection process accordingly. Stay updated with Vocal Pakistan for authentic government notifications, job updates, and official announcements.

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