The Ministry of Education announced that the deadline for acquiring the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) qualification has been extended to 31 August 2028. This follows two landmark judgments of the Supreme Court of India, which affirmed the mandatory nature of TET under RTE Act and directed periodic examinations.
Key Developments
- On 01 September 2025, the Court held that TET is a minimum qualification under Section 23 of the RTE Act and is mandatory for appointments in RTE‑covered schools.
- On 29 May 2026, the Court extended the compliance timeline from 31 August 2027 to 31 August 2028.
- The Court also advised that the TET should be conducted twice a year, with roughly six months between exams, to give teachers reasonable opportunity to qualify.
- The information was conveyed by Shri Pralhad Joshi in response to a Starred Question in the Lok Sabha.
Important Facts
Education falls under the Concurrent List. Therefore, while the central government frames the policy, the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations maintain records of teachers appointed before 2013 who may need to acquire TET qualification.
The Supreme Court judgments are accessible via the following links:
Exam Relevance
Understanding the TET mandate is crucial for GS‑2 (Polity) as it illustrates the interplay between constitutional provisions, judicial pronouncements, and executive action. The case highlights:
- How the Supreme Court can enforce policy compliance under a statutory framework.
- The role of the RTE Act in guaranteeing quality education and setting teacher qualifications.
- The significance of the Concurrent List in shared governance of education.
Way Forward
States should immediately:
- Set up a calendar for bi‑annual TET examinations, ensuring a six‑month gap.
- Identify and notify teachers appointed before 2013 who lack TET qualification.
- Maintain an updated database and monitor compliance against the 31 August 2028 deadline.
Regular reporting to the Ministry of Education will help track progress and address gaps.