For the thousands of library science graduates and diploma holders in Rajasthan who have been waiting for a large-scale government opportunity in their field, a significant development has arrived. The Secondary Education Department of Rajasthan has prepared a new Staffing Pattern that proposes adding 7,408 new Librarian (Pustakalayadhyaksh) posts to government secondary schools across the state. If approved by the government, this will nearly triple the existing strength of school librarians and open one of the largest recruitment windows in the history of Rajasthan’s library science sector.
The Proposal: From 4,123 to 11,531 Posts
Currently, Rajasthan’s government secondary schools have only 4,123 sanctioned Librarian posts across all three grades. The new Staffing Pattern assessed that 11,531 posts are actually needed to adequately serve the current student population. This means 7,408 new posts are being proposed, representing an increase of nearly 80 percent over the existing strength.
The grade-wise breakdown of the proposed expansion is as follows.
| Grade | Current Posts | Proposed Total | New Posts Added |
| First Grade | 41 | 588 | 547 |
| Second Grade | 1,092 | 2,118 | 1,026 |
| Third Grade | 2,990 | 8,825 | 5,835 |
| Total | 4,123 | 11,531 | 7,408 |
The largest increase is proposed at the Third Grade level, where 5,835 new posts would be added. This reflects the ground reality that the shortage is most acute in regular school-level positions, where the day-to-day running of libraries is most directly affected.
Why This Proposal Matters: The Library Crisis in Government Schools
The problem this proposal aims to solve is not new. Government secondary schools across Rajasthan have library buildings, books, and infrastructure, but a large number of them do not have a permanent, qualified librarian to run these facilities. As a result, libraries that could be powerful learning resources for students are either locked up or managed informally by teachers who have no library science training.
Nitendra Chaudhary, State President of the Rajasthan Pustakalayadhyaksh Sangh, put it plainly when he said that while libraries exist in schools, the absence of qualified librarians means they are not being used to their full potential. He added that if the proposed posts are sanctioned, it will give libraries a new identity and help develop a culture of reading among students. The association has been demanding a proper staffing pattern for the librarian cadre for a long time.
The proposal also gains strength from the alignment with the National Education Policy 2020, which explicitly emphasises making school libraries the primary centres of learning. Implementing this vision requires trained librarians in every school, and the current shortfall makes that goal impossible to achieve.
Librarian Posts Will Be Allocated Based on Student Strength
One notable aspect of the new Staffing Pattern is that librarian appointments will be linked to the student enrollment strength of each school. This means larger schools with more students will receive more librarian posts, while smaller schools will be assigned posts proportionally. This student-strength-based model is designed to ensure equitable distribution of library resources and avoid situations where some schools are overstaffed while others have no librarian at all.
Current Status: Is This Approved Yet?
The proposal is currently awaiting government approval. The process from proposal to recruitment typically involves several stages: departmental approval within the Secondary Education Department, clearance from the Finance Department, a Cabinet-level decision, and finally notification of recruitment by the Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSMSSB). Library science aspirants should monitor official announcements closely, as the timeline from approval to open advertisement can vary.
Existing Librarian Recruitment in Rajasthan: What Is Already Happening
Even as the larger proposal is pending, Rajasthan has already been recruiting Librarians through its regular channels. Understanding the two existing recruitment pathways helps aspirants prepare for the upcoming opportunity as well.
RSMSSB Librarian Grade III Recruitment
The Rajasthan Staff Selection Board conducted the Librarian Grade III examination on July 27, 2025, for 548 vacancies under the Secondary Education Department and Sanskrit Education Department. The provisional result was published on December 2, 2025, and document verification has been underway. This batch will be among the first to benefit from any future expansion once the 7,408-post proposal is approved.
RPSC Librarian Grade II Recruitment
The Rajasthan Public Service Commission conducted the Librarian Grade II examination on February 16, 2025, for 300 posts in the Secondary Education Department. This is a higher-grade position requiring a graduate-level qualification in Library Science, and its selection process includes a written examination followed by document verification.
Eligibility for Librarian Grade III Posts
Since the proposed 7,408 posts are predominantly at the Third Grade level, here is what candidates need to qualify.
Educational Qualification:
Candidates must have passed Senior Secondary (Class 12) along with one of the following: a Certificate in Library Science, a Diploma in Library and Information Science, or a Degree in Library and Information Science from a university or institution recognised by the government or the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).
Other Requirements:
Candidates must have working knowledge of Hindi written in Devanagari script and a basic understanding of Rajasthani culture, customs, and traditions.
Age Limit:
The minimum age is 18 years and the maximum is 40 years. SC, ST, OBC, MBC, and EWS male candidates from Rajasthan receive a 5-year relaxation, while female candidates from these categories receive a 10-year relaxation.
Exam Pattern for Librarian Grade III
The written examination for Rajasthan Librarian Grade III is conducted by RSMSSB and consists of two papers.
| Paper | Subject Focus | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Paper I | Rajasthan GK and Library Basics | 100 MCQs | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | Library Science and Knowledge Systems | 100 MCQs | 200 | 2 Hours |
Negative marking of 1/3 mark per wrong answer applies to both papers. There is no interview round for this grade; selection is based entirely on the written exam followed by document verification.
Salary: What Will Librarians Earn?
Librarian Grade III positions fall under the state government’s pay structure. Based on the existing pay scale for Grade III posts in the Secondary Education Department, appointed librarians can expect placement in Pay Matrix Level 5 to 8, which translates to a monthly salary in the range of Rs. 20,800 to Rs. 35,000 including Dearness Allowance. Librarian Grade II posts, which are filled through RPSC, are placed at Pay Matrix Level L-11 with Grade Pay 4200, offering a significantly higher starting salary along with all standard government benefits including HRA, medical benefits, and pension under NPS.
How to Stay Updated and Apply When Posts Are Notified
Once the proposal receives government approval and is formally notified as a recruitment drive, applications will be invited through the official RSMSSB portal. Follow these steps to be ready.
- Visit RSMSSB Official Recruitment Website rsmssb.rajasthan.gov.in regularly for official notifications
- Complete your One Time Registration (OTR) on the RSSB portal if you have not already done so
- Ensure your Library Science certificate or diploma is from a recognised institution under NCTE or the state government
- Keep your educational documents, category certificate, and Rajasthan domicile certificate ready for quick application
- For Grade II posts through RPSC, monitor RPSC Official Website rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in for notifications
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. The proposal mentions 7,408 new posts. When will recruitment actually begin for these posts?
The 7,408 new posts are currently a proposal within the Secondary Education Department’s new Staffing Pattern, not yet an approved recruitment notification. Before recruitment can begin, the proposal must receive government cabinet approval, followed by Finance Department clearance and then formal notification by RSMSSB. This process can take several months. Candidates should regularly check rsmssb.rajasthan.gov.in for any official announcement, and avoid relying on social media for confirmation of recruitment timelines.
Q2. I have a B.Lib.I.Sc. (Bachelor of Library and Information Science) degree. Am I eligible for Librarian Grade III posts?
Yes. A Bachelor’s degree in Library and Information Science from a recognised university qualifies you for Librarian Grade III posts. Additionally, if your institution is NCTE-recognised, that further strengthens your eligibility claim. You should also hold Senior Secondary (Class 12) as a base qualification alongside your library science degree, which is the standard requirement specified in RSMSSB’s existing Librarian Grade III notification.
Q3. I live in a rural district with very few library science coaching options. How can I prepare for the Librarian Grade III exam?
The exam tests two broad areas: Rajasthan GK and Library Science knowledge. For Rajasthan GK, standard books used for other Rajasthan competitive exams (history, geography, economy, culture) are directly applicable. For Library Science, the NCERT Library Science curriculum, standard B.Lib textbooks, and previous year question papers from RSMSSB and RPSC Librarian exams are your best resources. Several free and affordable online platforms now offer Rajasthan Librarian preparation in Hindi, making it accessible regardless of location.
Q4. Will the 7,408 proposed posts include reservations for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and other categories?
Yes. All government recruitments in Rajasthan follow the state government’s reservation policy. If the proposal is approved and notified as a formal recruitment, posts will be distributed across categories including SC, ST, OBC, MBC, EWS, and horizontal reservations for women, ex-servicemen, and PwD candidates, as per the Rajasthan government’s existing reservation norms. The exact category-wise distribution will be specified in the official recruitment advertisement once it is released.
