In-service Teachers TET: Will In-Service Teachers Have to Clear TET? Supreme Court Update and Future Analysis

WBPAY Team2 hours agoLast Updated: February 17, 2026

A Gavel With Supreme Court And Teacher In Class

In-service Teachers TET: The uncertainty surrounding the requirement for in-service teachers to pass the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) continues to grow. Recent developments regarding Supreme Court rulings and legal complexities have raised significant questions about job security for many educators. An analysis of the current situation suggests that there is little relief in sight for in-service teachers, and clearing the TET exam might soon become unavoidable.

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This report breaks down the current legal status, government stance, and what the future holds for teachers.

Legal Battle and Supreme Court Status

A section of teachers had hoped for a legal remedy, but the current scenario is not encouraging.

Stagnation of Review Petitions: Following the Supreme Court’s judgment, several review petitions were filed by various state governments and organizations. Although more than six months have passed since the relevant timeline, there has been no significant update regarding the hearing of these petitions.
Procedural Uncertainty: It remains undecided whether the hearings will take place in a ‘Closed Chamber’ or an ‘Open Court’. Even though procedural defects in the petitions have been cleared, no specific date for the hearing has been fixed yet.

Role of the Centre and Political Context

Many teachers were looking towards the Central Government for a solution, especially surrounding the Winter Session of Parliament and the Union Education Minister’s recent visit to West Bengal.

Silence in Parliament: During the Winter Session, Members of Parliament from across India raised the issue of in-service teachers regarding TET. However, no concrete response was received from the government.
No Ordinance: There is no indication that the central government plans to bring any ordinance to provide legal protection to these teachers. The Education Minister’s statements also lacked any specific assurance regarding a solution to this pan-India problem.

Steps by Other States: A Warning Sign?

Actions taken by other states are crucial indicators for West Bengal. The Tamil Nadu government has already issued a TET notification for in-service teachers. This clearly signals that states are moving towards conducting TET in compliance with court orders.

What about West Bengal?
Given the upcoming assembly elections, the state government might delay any immediate harsh decisions. However, once the elections are over, there is a strong possibility that a notification for TET exams for in-service primary or upper-primary teachers will be released.

Who Will Have to Take the TET?

A common confusion is whether this rule applies to specific categories of teachers. The Supreme Court judgment does not differentiate between sections (such as Normal Section or Secondary). The rule is explicit:

If you teach any class from Class 1 to Class 8, you are required to be TET qualified.
Regardless of whether you hold a Graduate or Post-Graduate degree, if you are engaged in teaching classes 1 through 8, this rule is likely applicable to you.

In conclusion, considering the court’s verdict and the silence at the central level, it is advisable for in-service teachers to stay mentally prepared. Until an authentic specific government order is issued, the uncertainty prevails.