In-Service TET: The West Bengal School Education Department has recently directed the School Service Commission (SSC) and the West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE) to conduct the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers. The department’s notification explicitly states “TET for In-Service Teachers” meaning preparations for now are underway only for teachers who are already employed but have not cleared TET.
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Why This Order, the Supreme Court’s Role
According to sources, the Supreme Court’s order dated September 1, 2025 stated that teachers with more than five years of service who have not cleared TET must be made to sit for the exam. The original order gave a two-year window; however, following a review petition, this was extended to three years.
To give teachers repeated chances, the top court also directed states to conduct TET every six months. It is largely this directive that has pushed the state education department to move quickly.
Who Does What, Board Versus Commission
| Authority | Responsibility | For Whom |
|---|---|---|
| WBBPE | Organise Primary TET | In-service primary teachers |
| WBSSC | Organise Upper Primary TET | In-service upper primary teachers |
Since the recruiting authorities for primary and upper primary levels are different, both bodies will have to conduct their exams separately. No specific date has been announced so far, though the department’s notification indicates that preparations are already underway.
Who Must Sit for TET, Where the Confusion Lies
This is where the real question comes in. Two Calcutta High Court rulings state that Normal Section teachers cannot be shown against Upper Primary Section posts, so how the TET rule applies to them remains unclear. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s pan-India order offers no separate clarification for teachers appointed under the Died-in-Harness scheme, Higher Secondary section teachers, or other special categories.
- Normal Section teachers: confusion stemming from High Court rulings
- Died-in-Harness teachers: no clear directive
- HS section teachers: no separate clarification
A section of teachers believes the state education department must clarify these points before issuing the final notification otherwise, confusion could spread across schools.
What Happens Next
Whether this exam remains restricted to in-service teachers or opens up to new candidates as well will only become clear once the Board or Commission releases the full notification. Details regarding the application process, syllabus, and exact dates haven’t been released yet so it’s worth keeping an eye on the department’s website over the coming weeks.
