# Merit list toppers challenge DPI eligibility cut-off in MP teacher recruitment 2026-08-07T23:48:29+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Freepressjournal.in reports that the Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI) in Madhya Pradesh has declared thousands of meritorious candidates ineligible for primary teacher posts by setting a cut-off date for educational qualifications that differs from the original application condition. The recruitment was for 13,089 posts through the Employees Selection Board. Point 49 of the application form stated candidates must acquire the prescribed qualification by the date of document verification. However, after results, DPI fixed August 25, 2025, as the cut-off. Candidates who completed their D.El.Ed after that date but before verification were deemed ineligible. Among those affected is state topper Varsha Mujalda, who secured first rank but was disqualified because she finished her second-year DElEd after the cut-off. Candidates note that similar recruitments in 2011, 2018 and 2020 allowed qualifications until document verification. DPI commissioner Abhishek Singh issued a clarification on Friday saying appointments follow the advertisement rules and denied any change after the ad, citing Clause 12.7 of the Rule Book requiring qualifications by the application deadline. ## Coverage - freepressjournal.in Tags: DElEd, DPI, eligibility cut-off, Madhya Pradesh, merit list toppers, primary teacher recruitment Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/merit-list-toppers-challenge-dpi-eligibility-cut-off-in-mp-teacher-recruitment/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/merit-list-toppers-challenge-dpi-eligibility-cut-off-in-mp-teacher-recruitment/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.