Post Graduate Teacher (PGT)
PGTs teach senior-secondary (Classes 11-12) students a specialised subject. A respected, secure teaching career in schools, including government and KV/NVS.
₹4–14 LPA
typical rangeCTET
key entrance exam4 steps
school → career
About this career
A Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) in India is responsible for teaching specialized subjects to students in senior-secondary classes, specifically grades 11 and 12. Day-to-day work involves preparing detailed lesson plans, delivering lectures, and guiding students through complex concepts to prepare them for board examinations and competitive entrance tests.
Beyond the classroom, PGTs are heavily involved in conducting practical lab sessions, evaluating assignments, and managing administrative tasks like attendance and student progress reports. It is a highly respected profession that demands deep subject mastery and the ability to mentor adolescents during a critical phase of their academic journey.
This career is ideal for students who possess deep subject expertise, a passion for mentoring teenagers, and the patience required for effective classroom management.
What you'll actually do
A typical week in this role.
Delivering subject-specific lectures to classes 11 and 12
Designing and grading internal assessments and unit tests
Conducting practical laboratory experiments for science subjects
Mentoring students for board and competitive exams
Updating student academic records and attendance logs
The path from school
The realistic route, one step at a time.
Undergraduate
Complete a Bachelor's degree in your chosen subject stream from a recognized university.
Focus: Maintain a strong academic record to qualify for postgraduate admissions.
Postgraduate
Obtain a Master's degree in your specialized subject and complete a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) program.
Focus: Master your core subject knowledge and pedagogical teaching techniques.
Entry & Licensing
Qualify for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) or relevant State TET exams.
Focus: Clear the mandatory eligibility tests required for government teaching positions.
Recruitment
Apply and appear for specific school recruitment exams conducted by KVS, NVS, or state-level education boards.
Focus: Practice previous years' question papers and focus on subject-specific competitive exam patterns.
What it pays in India
Indicative, conservative medians — real offers vary by city, college and company.
₹4LPA
Starting out₹8LPA
A few years in₹14LPA
ExperiencedThe honest picture
The upsides worth chasing — and the trade-offs to go in with eyes open.
Why people love it
High job security in government and central school sectors
Respectable social standing and academic work environment
Fixed working hours with significant vacation time
What to weigh up
High pressure to deliver consistent board exam results
Extensive administrative and non-teaching paperwork
Limited opportunities for rapid salary growth compared to corporate
How your career grows
A typical arc from your first role to leadership.
Entry-Level PGT
Beginning as a subject teacher in a secondary school.
Senior PGT
Gaining experience in curriculum planning and department coordination.
Vice-Principal
Taking on administrative duties and school operations management.
Principal
Leading the entire school administration and academic strategy.
The essentials
Exams, degrees, where people study, and the skills that matter.
Entrance exams
Degrees that get you there
Where people study this
Skills that matter
Who hires for this
Employers and organisations that recruit for this role in India.
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS)
Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS)
Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE)
Atomic Energy Education Society
Army Public Schools
Private CBSE/ICSE affiliated schools
Demand outlook
Stable, secure demand in schools; government posts offer strong pay and benefits.
How ready are you for this career?
Get your Career Readiness Index — a live 300–900 score built from what you actually do, that you, your parents and your school can watch improve.
