Chennai, June 1:
In a significant relief to teachers across the country, the Supreme Court of India has extended the deadline for clearing the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) until August 31, 2028. The decision is expected to benefit thousands of teachers currently working in schools without having cleared the mandatory eligibility examination.
The apex court dismissed multiple review petitions that had sought relaxation in the compulsory TET qualification requirement. While refusing to dilute the rule, the court took into account the practical difficulties faced by teachers and granted an additional extension to help them meet the qualification criteria within a reasonable timeframe.
The court made it clear that passing the Teacher Eligibility Test remains compulsory for all teachers, including those already employed as well as those seeking fresh appointments or promotions in the education sector. Reports indicate that around 70 review petitions were filed by state governments, teacher associations, organisations, and individual teachers requesting modifications to the earlier directive.
Despite rejecting the pleas for exemption, the Supreme Court acknowledged the concerns raised and extended the deadline from August 31, 2027, to August 31, 2028, providing teachers with additional time to comply with the requirement.