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Qualifying the Kerala SET (State Eligibility Test) is only the first step — the real question most aspirants ask next is: what does the actual job look like? This guide breaks down the Kerala SET Job Profile 2026 in full: the exact posts you become eligible for, day-to-day roles and responsibilities, the current pay scale, and how your career progresses after you join as a teacher in Kerala’s Higher Secondary Education system.
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Kerala SET 2026: Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Kerala State Eligibility Test (SET) |
| Conducting Body | LBS Centre for Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Posts You Become Eligible For | Higher Secondary School Teacher (HSST), VHSE Non-Vocational Teacher |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year (January and July sessions) |
| Papers | Paper I (General Aptitude) + Paper II (Subject Specialization) |
| Job Sector | Kerala Government — Higher Secondary Education Department |
| Job Nature | Permanent, pensionable government teaching post |
| Classes Taught | Plus One and Plus Two (Classes 11 and 12) |
What Job Do You Get After Qualifying Kerala SET 2026?
1: The first recipient of the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna’ award?
Clearing Kerala SET does not hand you a job directly — it makes you eligible to apply for two specific teaching posts under the Kerala Higher Secondary Education Department, once Kerala PSC or the respective recruiting body notifies vacancies:
- Higher Secondary School Teacher (HSST) — teaches academic subjects (English, Physics, Commerce, Economics, etc.) to Plus One and Plus Two students in Government and Aided Higher Secondary Schools.
- VHSE Non-Vocational Teacher — teaches general/non-vocational subjects within Vocational Higher Secondary Schools, alongside the vocational-stream curriculum.
Both are respected, permanent government teaching careers, but they differ slightly in posting environment, subject scope, and pay structure — so it helps to understand each before you plan your preparation and career path.
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Join Now!Kerala SET Job Profile 2026: HSST Teacher
As an HSST, you’ll be a subject specialist responsible for building strong conceptual foundations in your chosen subject for Plus One and Plus Two students, and preparing them for higher education and competitive entrance exams.
Core focus areas:
- Delivering subject lectures aligned with the Kerala Higher Secondary syllabus
- Preparing students for board exams and, where relevant, entrance exams like NEET/JEE/CUET
- Mentoring students on subject-specific projects and practicals (for science subjects)
- Acting as class teacher/mentor for a batch of students, when assigned
Kerala SET Job Profile 2026: VHSE Non-Vocational Teacher
As a VHSE Non-Vocational Teacher, you teach the general education component (English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, etc.) to students enrolled in Vocational Higher Secondary courses — supporting their overall academic development alongside their vocational skill training.
Core focus areas:
- Teaching general/foundational subjects within a vocational-stream curriculum
- Coordinating with vocational subject teachers to align academic and skill-based learning
- Supporting students balancing board exams with vocational certification requirements
Kerala SET 2026 Job Role & Responsibilities
Regardless of HSST or VHSE posting, the day-to-day responsibilities of a Kerala SET-qualified teacher typically include:
- Planning and delivering lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in the subject specialization
- Assigning and evaluating classwork, homework, and periodic tests
- Preparing students systematically for board and qualifying examinations
- Setting classroom behavior standards and maintaining discipline on school premises
- Adapting teaching methods and materials to different learning paces and needs
- Maintaining accurate, up-to-date student academic records
- Communicating with parents on student academic progress
- Participating in departmental meetings, school training programs, and curriculum workshops
- Organizing or supporting extracurricular activities — study tours, science exhibitions, sports events
- Contributing to the school’s broader goals of national consciousness, communal harmony, and holistic student development
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Join Now!Kerala SET 2026 Salary and Pay Scale
Pay for HSST and VHSE Non-Vocational Teacher posts follows the Kerala Government pay scale applicable to the Higher Secondary Education Department, and is generally structured as follows:
| Post | Approximate Pay Scale (Basic) | Approximate Annual Package |
|---|---|---|
| HSST (Junior) | ₹45,600 – ₹95,600 per month | ₹5.5 – 7.5 lakhs per year (with allowances) |
| HSST (Senior grade, with experience) | ₹55,200 – ₹1,15,300 per month | Higher, based on increments and grade |
| VHSE Non-Vocational Teacher | Comparable scale to HSST Junior, subject to notification | Varies by category and posting |
Note: Exact pay scale figures are revised periodically and can vary slightly by subject, grade (Junior/Senior), and the specific PSC notification under which you’re recruited. Always cross-check the latest figures in the official recruitment notification before applying.
On top of basic pay, teachers receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other government-standard perks, along with pension and other retirement benefits associated with a permanent government post.
Kerala SET 2026 Career Growth and Promotion
A Kerala SET-qualified teaching career offers a clear, structured growth path:
- Junior to Senior Grade: With years of service and satisfactory performance, HSST Junior teachers move up to Senior grade with a revised, higher pay scale.
- Departmental leadership roles: Experienced teachers can move into roles like Head of Department, subject coordinator, or academic committee positions within their school.
- Transfers: Eligible teachers can apply for inter-school transfers after a specified period of service, based on vacancy and seniority.
- Further academic qualification routes: Teachers who also clear UGC NET may find additional opportunities — UGC NET-qualified candidates get priority consideration for certain Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) and university-level assistant professor or lecturer roles, provided other eligibility conditions are met.
- Administrative growth: With sufficient seniority, HSST teachers can progress toward roles like Vice Principal or Principal within the Higher Secondary Education cadre.
Kerala SET vs UGC NET: Which Path Should You Take?
A common point of confusion for postgraduate aspirants is whether to prepare for Kerala SET, UGC NET, or both:
- Kerala SET qualifies you specifically for Higher Secondary (HSST) and VHSE teaching posts within Kerala state government schools.
- UGC NET qualifies you for Assistant Professor posts in colleges and universities across India (and JRF for research), and is recognized nationally rather than state-specific.
Many candidates prepare for both, since the syllabus overlap at the postgraduate level is significant, and holding both qualifications widens your eligibility across school-level and college/university-level teaching opportunities.
Skills That Help You Succeed in This Role
Beyond subject expertise, Kerala SET-qualified teachers benefit from:
- Strong communication and classroom management skills
- Patience and adaptability while teaching students across different learning levels
- Familiarity with current teaching aids and digital classroom tools
- Time management, especially around exam preparation cycles
- Continuous subject-matter updating, particularly for science and commerce streams where syllabi evolve
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Join Now!Frequently Asked Questions
What job do I get after qualifying Kerala SET 2026?
You become eligible to apply for Higher Secondary School Teacher (HSST) or VHSE Non-Vocational Teacher posts in Kerala Government and Aided schools.
Is Kerala SET qualification enough to get a teaching job directly?
No. Qualifying SET makes you eligible to apply; final appointment depends on clearing the relevant recruitment process (such as Kerala PSC) when vacancies are notified.
What is the salary of an HSST teacher in Kerala in 2026?
HSST Junior pay scale is approximately ₹45,600–₹95,600 per month, rising to ₹55,200–₹1,15,300 at the Senior grade, plus DA, HRA, and other allowances.
What subjects can I teach as an HSST after Kerala SET?
You can teach the subject you appeared for in Kerala SET Paper II, such as English, Physics, Chemistry, Commerce, Economics, Mathematics, and more, across 37-41 available subjects depending on the session.
Can Kerala SET-qualified candidates apply for college lecturer posts?
Kerala SET is specific to Higher Secondary-level posts. For college/university-level Assistant Professor roles, candidates typically need UGC NET or an equivalent qualification.
What is the career growth path after becoming an HSST teacher?
Teachers can progress from Junior to Senior grade, take on departmental leadership roles, apply for transfers, and eventually move toward administrative positions like Vice Principal or Principal.
Do HSST and VHSE teachers have different job profiles?
Both teach Plus One/Plus Two level students, but HSST teachers work within the core academic stream while VHSE Non-Vocational teachers support the general-education component of vocational higher secondary courses.
