Centre urged to intervene over mandatory TET ruling for in-service teachers

JAMMU — The All India National Educational Federation on Friday expressed concern over the impact of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling making the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) mandatory for a large section of in-service teachers, urging the Central Government to introduce legal safeguards to protect their service conditions and career prospects.

Addressing a press conference in Jammu, federation representatives said the verdict has created uncertainty for teachers who have been serving in schools for many years and argued that enforcing the requirement after a long gap could adversely affect thousands of educators across the country.

The concern stems from a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the requirement for in-service teachers, including many appointed before the implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) framework, to acquire a TET qualification within a prescribed period. The Court recently extended the compliance deadline until August 31, 2028, while dismissing review petitions challenging the earlier verdict.

The judgment has significant implications for teachers who do not possess a TET qualification. According to the ruling, failure to acquire the qualification within the stipulated period could affect continuation in service and promotional prospects, prompting concern among teacher organisations across several states.

Federation leaders argued that many of the affected teachers have already spent years, and in some cases decades, in classrooms and that the retrospective impact of the qualification requirement could create uncertainty in the education sector.

The issue has sparked protests and demands for legislative intervention in several states, with teacher bodies seeking exemptions or alternative arrangements for experienced educators already in service.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the government has adopted a supportive stance towards affected teachers. Education Minister Sakina Itoo recently stated that the government has filed a review petition before the Supreme Court and remains committed to protecting the interests of teachers impacted by the verdict.

The federation urged the Centre to explore legislative measures that would safeguard experienced teachers while addressing the objective of maintaining educational standards. It warned that the implementation of the TET requirement after nearly 16 years could have far-reaching consequences for the teaching community unless suitable legal protections are introduced.