Definitions.- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

1. (a) "Appointment" means appointment by direct recruitment, by absorption or by promotion;
2. (b) "Appointing authority" means the authority competent to make appointment to the post of a teacher;
3. (c) "Competent authority" means the authority competent to make orders of transfer of teachers as may be prescribed;

5[(ca) “Critical Posts” means and include all the teaching posts including Lecturers in Government Pre-University Colleges, in the following categories, namely:-

1. (i) Category 1: Karnataka Public Schools, Adarsha Vidyalaya, PM SHRI schools other than Head Master or Vice-Principal;
2. (ii) Category 2: All other schools and Government Pre- University Colleges having an enrolment exceeding 250 students or as per enrolment threshold notified by the

Government from time to time other than Head Master or

Vice-Principal; and

1. (iii) Category 3: Head Master or Vice-Principal of High School or Principal in Government Pre-University Colleges under Categories 1 and 2.] 2[ 4[(cb)] “Lecturer” means a person appointed to a category of posts of Principal or lecturer in composite junior college or pre-university college as specified in Schedule-II;]

3[(d) “Minimum period of service” means a continuous service of three years in a school or pre-university college including service rendered in a school or pre-university college from where the teacher or Lecturer has been re-deputed in the current academic year as per the provisions of clause (f) of section 2 and section 4:]

5[Provided that, in case of transfers to the posts specified in serial number III of Schedule-I shall only be by counselling for which the minimum period of service rendered in the incumbent’s present cadre in schools / colleges shall be twelve continuous years.

Provided further that, the maximum period of service in the posts specified in serial number III of Schedule-I shall only be three years.

Provided also that, the incumbents of teaching posts specified in Schedule-I and clause (h) of section 2, shall not be transferred to the non-

teaching posts in the School Education and Literacy Department and in any other posts in the State Civil Services or Boards or Corporations.]

3[(e) "Order of priority" means priority list of teachers prepared based on weighted score obtained by the teacher as per the criteria as may be prescribed, for the purpose of counseling: Provided that, for a specified post Order of Priority means the merit list prepared as per the marks obtained in the Examination specified for such posts;]

2[(ea) “Pre-University College” means Pre-University Colleges or composite junior colleges belonging to the State Government;]

1. (f) "Re-deployment" means re-deployment of any post from a 1[School or Pre-university College] where it is excess, to any 1[School or Pre-university College] where it is deficit as per pupil-teacher ratio and other norms specified by the State Government;
2. (g) "Schedule" means the schedule appended to this Act;
3. (h) “Specified posts” means posts of Cluster resource person, Block resource person, Educational co-ordinator, Technical Assistant, Block resource co-ordinator, Assistant project Co-ordinator, Subject Inspector and Assistant Director (mid day meal); and such other posts as may be notified by the State Government in this behalf;
   • (i) "Teacher" means a person appointed to a category of posts of a teacher in a primary 1[School or Pre-university College] or a high 1[School or Pre-university College] or composite high 1[School or Pre-university College] or composite junior college or such other posts belonging to the State Civil Services as specified in the