TET Mandatory: Big News! PM’s Intervention Sought in TET Case, Are Teachers’ Jobs Secure According to NCTE Rules?
TET Mandatory: Following the Supreme Court’s recent verdict making the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) mandatory for all teachers, there has been a significant stir across the country. In this situation, an appeal has been submitted to the Prime Minister to ensure the job security of teachers appointed based on the correct interpretation of the NCTE (National Council for Teacher Education) guidelines. In this post, we will discuss this important issue in detail.
The Supreme Court’s Verdict and its Impact
On September 1, 2025, the Supreme Court delivered an unprecedented ruling stating that passing the TET is mandatory for all teachers, even for promotions. This verdict has created deep concern about the future of teachers appointed before August 23, 2010. In response to this ruling, the teaching community has appealed for the Prime Minister’s intervention.
The Appeal to the Prime Minister and NCTE’s Rules
The appeal sent to the Prime Minister on behalf of the teachers emphasizes the NCTE’s notification dated August 23, 2010. According to the appellants, the Supreme Court’s judgment did not fully consider the specifics of the NCTE’s guidelines. Let’s look at what that NCTE notification stated:
- Paragraph 4: According to this rule, teachers who were appointed before August 23, 2010, are not required to acquire the minimum qualifications prescribed by the NCTE (which includes passing the TET). In other words, TET is not mandatory for these veteran teachers.
- Paragraph 5: For any teacher appointments made on or after this date, acquiring the minimum qualifications and passing the TET is mandatory.
The Core Arguments of the Appeal
The appeal to the Prime Minister primarily highlights a few key points:
- The services of all teachers appointed before August 23, 2010, should be considered valid and protected without the TET qualification.
- The TET requirement can be applied for promotions, but not as a condition for continuing their service.
- The issue should be resolved by upholding the NCTE’s own guidelines to maintain stability in the education system and restore faith in the judicial process.
What’s Next?
A review petition regarding this matter has already been filed in the Supreme Court, and its hearing will take place once the court reopens. Meanwhile, millions of teachers are looking towards the Prime Minister to see what action he will take. Based on the NCTE’s rules, there is a strong possibility of relief for the senior teachers. We will bring you the next update on this matter as soon as it is available.
