The Centre has asked all states and Union Territories to submit detailed information on teachers affected by the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) requirement. The move comes amid growing concerns over the impact of the rule on teachers appointed before the introduction of TET.
Centre Reviews Impact of Mandatory TET Requirement
Ministry of Education has directed states and Union Territories to compile and submit data related to in-service teachers impacted by the TET mandate. The information has been sought following a Supreme Court ruling that reinforced TET as a compulsory qualification for teachers teaching Classes 1 to 8. The directive has raised concerns among teachers who were recruited under earlier norms, long before TET became a statutory requirement.
Supreme Court Ruling and Its Implications
In September 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that passing TET is mandatory for teachers at the elementary level. While the ruling clarified the legal position, it also triggered uncertainty for thousands of teachers who have been in service for years without being required to clear TET at the time of their appointment. Many such teachers continued in service under recruitment rules that existed prior to the enforcement of the Right to Education framework.
Relief Under Consideration for Teachers Appointed Before 2011
The Centre is currently examining the impact of the ruling on teachers appointed before 2011, the year when TET was formally introduced. States have been asked to submit information on the number of affected teachers, their length of service, age profile, and whether they possess TET or CTET qualifications. This data will be used to assess whether exemptions, relaxations, or transitional provisions can be considered for teachers who were recruited before TET became mandatory.
Large Number of Teachers Likely to Be Affected
Preliminary estimates suggest that over 12 lakh teachers across various states may be affected by the current interpretation of the TET mandate. Many of these teachers have more than a decade of teaching experience and were never required to qualify TET during their recruitment process. State governments have expressed concerns that enforcing the rule retrospectively could lead to staff shortages in government schools and delay promotions of experienced teachers.
Next Steps by the Centre
The Ministry of Education is expected to review the data submitted by states before taking a final decision. Any clarification or policy adjustment is likely to be implemented at the national level and will determine how the TET requirement applies to in-service teachers going forward.
