Karnataka Government Approves EDI Pension Scheme for Guest Lecturers Aged 60+ Under Collegiate and Technical Education Departments

News Flash

30 May

Reported: Vishal Mayur

New Guidelines will be Effective to Ensure Annual Security of Rs. 50,000, Capping at Rs. 5 Lakh, for Eligible Retired or Deceased Guest Lecturers in Government First Grade Colleges

Bengaluru: In a significant welfare move for educators, the Karnataka Government has issued administrative approval for implementing the EDI (Idugantu) facility for guest lecturers under the Department of Collegiate and Technical Education. This scheme offers financial security of up to Rs. 5 lakh to retired or deceased guest lecturers who have served in Government First Grade Colleges and have crossed the age of 60 years on or after January 1, 2024.

As per Government Order No.: ED 208 DCE 2024(E), dated 30.05.2025, this decision follows the original Order No. ED 36 DCE 2024, dated 04.03.2024 and the subsequent amendment on 16.03.2024, which sanctioned several facilities for guest lecturers.

“This long-awaited recognition for our educators offers not just financial relief, but dignity to guest lecturers who have served tirelessly without permanent appointments,”
— said a senior official from the Department of Collegiate Education.

Key Highlights of the EDI (Idugantu) Scheme:

1. Effective Date: The scheme is applicable from 01.01.2024 and only covers guest lecturers who attained the age of 60 or died on or after this date.

2. Eligibility Criteria:

   • Must have served at least one academic year in the last five years prior to turning 60 or death.

   • The scheme is not applicable to those who have served in Government or Government-aided institutions in any other permanent capacity.

3. Service Calculation:

   • Each academic year with 8+ months of service (240+ days) will count as one full year.

   • Partial years (less than 8 months) will be prorated.

4. Financial Grant:

   • The pension is granted at Rs. 50,000 per annum of eligible service, subject to a maximum of Rs. 5,00,000.

5. In Case of Death:

   • The entitled amount will be transferred to the nominated beneficiary or legal heirs.

6. Procedure:

   • Eligible beneficiaries must submit the pension claim through the Principal of the college where they served during their 60th year or before death.

   • Service certificates must be provided in the prescribed format from respective principals for validation.

"The scheme honours the contribution of temporary faculty who, despite a lack of job security, dedicated years of service to Karnataka’s higher education system."
— stated the Commissioner of the Department of Collegiate and Technical Education.

The scheme has been greenlit in concurrence with the Finance Department’s Note No.: AE 9 Expenditure-8/2024, dated 26.05.2025. The circular has been issued to all relevant state education and treasury offices for prompt action and dissemination.

This is seen as a landmark decision that sets a precedent for recognising guest faculty in India's public education system and may inspire similar reforms across other states.