West Bengal Government Teachers Must Pass TET; Order Issued

Following a Supreme Court directive, the West Bengal government has initiated preparations to conduct the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for approximately 90,000 in-service teachers. However, the date for the examination has not yet been finalized.

There is significant news for thousands of teachers currently employed in West Bengal's government schools. The state's School Education Department has ordered the commencement of the process to conduct the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service primary teachers. This step has been taken in compliance with a Supreme Court directive. The department has instructed the relevant examination bodies to make the necessary preparations for conducting the TET. Approximately 90,000 in-service teachers may fall within the scope of this process. However, the exam date, application process, and schedule have not yet been released.

Which teachers are required to take the TET?

This matter specifically concerns in-service teachers who were appointed prior to the implementation of the RTE Act, 2009. According to the Supreme Court's ruling, teachers with more than five years of service remaining must pass the TET to continue in their roles. Conversely, teachers with five years or less remaining until retirement are exempted from the TET requirement to continue their employment. However, passing the TET will be mandatory for teachers seeking a promotion.

What order did the government issue?

On September 11, 2026, the West Bengal School Education Department instructed the relevant bodies to prepare for conducting the TET. Reports indicate that the West Bengal Central School Service Commission (WBSSC) and the West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE) have been asked to arrange the necessary information and logistics for the exam. This implies that the government has currently only initiated the administrative process toward conducting the examination.

What is the Supreme Court's ruling?

According to the Supreme Court's order, teachers must pass the TET by August 31, 2028. According to the order, clearing the TET is mandatory for teachers with more than five years of service remaining, whereas those with five years or less of service left are exempt from this exam for the purpose of continuing their employment. However, the TET requirement will remain applicable in cases of promotion.

Teachers Express Dissatisfaction

Following this government move, teachers' organizations in West Bengal have voiced their opposition. Some organizations argue that it is unfair to impose a requirement to retake an eligibility test on teachers who have already been teaching for a long time. They have specifically demanded that teachers appointed earlier be exempted from the mandatory TET requirement.