The SC has extended the deadline for in-service elementary school teachers to clear the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test by one year, from August 31, 2027, to August 31, 2028. Citing the need to ensure uninterrupted education and practical challenges in conducting exams, the court also urged states to hold TET twice a year, calling the extension a final opportunity for teachers to qualify.

Mumbai: The Supreme Court has provided additional time for in-service elementary school teachers to obtain the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) qualification, extending the deadline by one year in the interest of maintaining uninterrupted education for students.

Exercising its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, in the 65 review petitions filed by several state governments including Maharashtra, teachers associations and individual teachers in the Anjuman Ishaat-e-Taleem Trust case, ruled that eligible teachers will now be required to clear the TET by August 31, 2028, instead of the previously prescribed deadline of August 31, 2027. The decision effectively increases the compliance period from two years to three years.

The bench noted that ensuring continuity in elementary education remains a priority and acknowledged the practical difficulties associated with conducting TET examinations for a large number of candidates within a limited timeframe. Taking these circumstances into consideration, the court decided to grant a limited extension to teachers who are yet to meet the qualification requirement.

At the same time, the court stressed that state governments and relevant authorities must ensure that TET examinations are conducted at regular intervals. It suggested that the examination be held twice annually, with a gap of around six months between successive tests, to provide teachers with sufficient opportunities to qualify.