In response to a Right to Information (RTI) application that was filed by RTI-activist M V K Anil Kumar, the state government’s Department of Town and Country Planning responded to a question on what the procedure is to appoint various town planners in the town planning department, BDA, BBMP and other civic bodies.
These rules are as per the Karnataka Town Planning Department Services (Recruitment) Rules, 1996.
For the post of Director of Town Planning, the method of recruitment is only through promotion from the cadre of Joint Director of Town Planning. For this a person must possess a post-graduate degree or diploma in town and country planning/city planning/landscape architecture/transportation planning or any other qualification recognised by the Institute of Town Planners, India. The Director should also be a member of this institute. This official should also have put in a minimum of one year service as Joint Director of Town Planning.
The post of Joint Director of Town Planning is also filled only by promotion from the post of Deputy Director of Town Planning. The official should have been Deputy Director for a minimum of five years. If such an officer is not available, then an official with a minimum of three years service as Deputy Director may be considered for promotion.
The Deputy Director of Town Planning is employed by promotion from the rank of Assistant Director of Town Planning (must have put in a minimum of five years service). If such an officer is not available, again, an official with a minimum of three years service as Assistant Director may be promoted.
| Category of Post | Scale of Pay |
| Director of Town Planning | Rs 5150-6600 |
| Joint Director of Town Planning | Rs 3825-5825 |
| Deputy Director of Town Planning | Rs 3300-5300 |
| Assistant Director of Town Planning | Rs 2375-4450 |
| Junior Town Planner | Rs 2050-3950 |
| Geographer | Rs 1900-3700 |
| Head Draughtsman | Rs 1720-3300 |
| Town Planning Supervisor | Rs 1520-2900 |
| Draughtsman | Rs 1520-2900 |
| Instructor in Drawing & Model Making | Rs 1520-2900 |
| Tracer | Rs 1130-2100 |
The Assistant Director of Town Planning post is filled both through promotion (60 per cent) or direct recruitment (40 per cent).
To quailify for direct recruitment, the person must possess a degree in civil engineering or architecture from a recognised university or a certificate from the Institute of Engineers, saying that he has passed Part A and B of the institute’s Associate membership exam. Alternatively, a prospective candidate must have a post-graduate degree or diploma in town and country planning/urban design/city planning/landscape architecture/transportation planning or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Institute of Town Planners, India. The candidate should also be a member of the institute.
The selection by direct recruitment shall be based on the competitive examination and viva-voce conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission. The written examination shall consist of two papers – General Studies and Urban Regional Planning. The syllabus for the second paper will be as decided by the Commission in consultation with the Director of Town Planning.
The Assistant Director post is also filled through promotion from the post of Junior Town Planners/Head Draughtsman (whose monthly salary is between Rs 2150-4200)/Geographer (10:1:1 ratio). The candidate must have put in a minimum of five years service in either of these posts, from the date of commencement of the Karnataka Town Planning Department Services (Recruitment) Rules, 1996.s If such an officer is not available, then an official with a minimum of three years service may be considered for promotion.
The post of Junior Town Planner is also filled through both direct recruitment (40 per cent) and promotion (60 per cent).
For direct recruitment, the person must possess a degree in civil engineering/architecture from a recognised university or a certificate from the Institute of Engineers saying he has passed in Parts A and B of the institute’s Associate Membership exam.
Promotion is done from the rank of Town Planning Supervisors and Head Draughtsman (ratio of 19:1), with a minimum of five years experience. If an officer with five years experience is not available, then those who have put in three years of service may be considered for promotion.
Other posts
Town Planning Supervisor – Employed through direct recruitment. Must possess a diploma in civil engineering from a recognised Polytechnic or possess an equivalent qualification
Geographer – Employed through direct recruitment. Must possess a master’s degree in geography or equivalent qualification recognised by University established in India
Head Draughtsman – By promotion from the cadre of Draughtsman (with at least five years service). If such an officer is not available, then a draughtsman with three years experience may be promoted
Draughtsman – By promotion from the cadre of Tracers (with at least five years in service). If such an officer is not available, then a tracer with three years experience may be promoted
Tracer – Employed through direct recruitment. Must have passed SSLC or equivalent qualification and Draughtsmanship (Civil) awarded by an Polytechnic in the state. If no suitable candidate is available, ITI certificate or equivalent qualification may be considered
Instructor in Drawing and Model making – By posting a person from the cadre of draughtsman
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