24/09/2025
TET (Teacher Eligibility Test) was introduced as the minimum qualification test for teachers under Section 23(1) of the RTE Act.
Key Takeaways.
1. TET (Teacher Eligibility Test) was introduced as the minimum qualification test for teachers.
2. Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) to be conducted by CBSE, applicable to Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, Central Government schools & Schools under Union Territories.
3. State Teacher Eligibility Tests (STET/TETs) to be conducted by State Governments for their own schools.
4. In-service teachers without minimum qualifications were required to acquire them within 5 years (by March 31, 2015).
5. The deadline was extended to March 31, 2019, especially for untrained elementary teachers.
6. TET requirements under the RTE Act, 2009 were not applicable to J&K before August 2019 but after the abrogation of Article 370, the RTE Act and TET rules now apply to J&K like the rest of India.
Supreme Court Ruling (1 September 2025)
Key holdings
1. TET as Essential Qualification, not mere procedure: The Court held that TET is not just a procedural formality but is part of the minimum qualification criteria required of teachers under Section 23 of the RTE Act.
2. Applicability to In-service Teachers: Even teachers appointed before the TET mandate (i.e. before introduction of TET/2011) are required to clear TET to continue in service and for promotion.
3. Grace / transitional period & exception for those near retirement: Teachers with less than five years of service remaining before retirement may continue without passing TET, though they cannot get promotions unless they clear it.
4. Teachers with more than five years remaining must pass TET within two years. Failing that, they may be compulsorily retired (or terminated) with legal entitlements (terminal benefits) as per rules.
5. Promotion linked to TET clearance: Passing TET is not only needed to remain in service, but also to be eligible for promotions.
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