Government Teachers May Get Exemption from TET Requirement, Center Gives Major Indication

The situation had become even more difficult after the Supreme Court's decision in September 2025. The court had clearly stated that passing the TET would be mandatory for all teachers. However, a major update has now emerged.

There is good news for millions of government teachers across the country. The fear, stress, and confusion surrounding the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for a long time is now expected to come to an end. This is especially true for teachers who have been teaching in schools for many years but have not yet passed the TET for various reasons; their future has become a matter of serious concern.

The situation had become even more difficult after the Supreme Court's decision in September 2025. The court had clearly stated that passing the TET would be mandatory for all teachers. This directly affected millions of primary and upper primary teachers across the country. Many teachers who had been serving for 10-15 or 20 years suddenly felt insecure. They feared that if they failed to pass the TET, they would lose their jobs or be forced into early retirement.

Teaching pressure or exam preparation?

Non-TET-qualified teachers were constantly raising the question of whether they should focus on teaching children or prepare for the exam to save their jobs. It is not easy for teachers to take the exam again. For this reason, teacher organizations repeatedly demanded from the central government and the states that older and experienced teachers be exempted from the TET requirement or given some special relief.

The Central Government's Important Step

Now, the central government has taken a major and important step in this direction. The Department of School Education and Literacy of the Ministry of Education has sought detailed reports from all states and union territories. The ministry has asked for complete details of teachers from classes 1 to 8 who were appointed before 2011.

States have to provide this information by January 16th. A letter was sent to the chief secretaries of all states on December 31st regarding this matter.  The report requested several important pieces of information, such as the number of teachers appointed before and after 2011, the number of teachers who have passed the TET or CTET exams, the number of teachers who have not yet passed the TET, and details about the teachers' age, educational qualifications, and training status. This move by the government clearly indicates that it wants to understand the entire situation thoroughly and does not want to make any decision without complete information.

Millions of teachers hope for relief

This initiative by the central government is expected to bring relief to approximately 1.2 million teachers. A large number of teachers in various states have not yet passed the TET. In Uttar Pradesh, approximately 186,000 teachers; in Rajasthan, about 80,000 third-grade teachers; in Madhya Pradesh, approximately 300,000 teachers; and in Jharkhand, about 27,000 primary teachers are directly affected by this decision and now have high hopes from the government.

What was the Supreme Court's decision?

The Supreme Court, in its judgment, stated that teachers who are not TET-qualified must pass the exam within two years. If they fail to do so, they may have to leave their jobs or be retired. However, the court also stated that teachers with only five years left in service could be given some relief.

What will happen next?

Now, everyone's attention is focused on the decisions of the central government and the states. If the government decides to exempt older and experienced teachers from the TET or implement an alternative arrangement, it will bring relief to millions of families. This step by the government in the coming days could shape the future of teachers.