NCTE TET Reply: Big Blow for Teachers! Exemption Plea Rejected, NCTE Says ‘Case Closed’

NCTE TET Reply: The ongoing debate over teacher qualifications has reached a decisive end. The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has rejected a crucial plea seeking exemption for teachers from the TET (Teacher Eligibility Test). This appeal was filed in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling. The NCTE’s Regulation Division has unequivocally stated that this matter is now “Closed.” This decision has sparked new concerns about the future of lakhs of teachers.

The Context: The Supreme Court’s Order

This controversy began with a Supreme Court judgment. The apex court, in its ruling dated September 1, 2025 (as per the source), mandated that all teachers with more than five years of service must pass the TET examination within the next two years. The basis for this judgment was a decision passed in Parliament on August 9, 2017, which had led to amendments in the NCTE regulations.

The Teachers’ Plea and Apprehensions

Following this strict directive from the Supreme Court, there was a significant reaction from the teaching community. An appeal was submitted to the NCTE requesting an exemption from this mandatory TET rule.

The petitioners’ core argument was that teachers appointed before 2017 should be excluded from the new ruling’s scope, similar to the provisions made in the 2017 amendment. The plea expressed apprehension that the implementation of this order would lead to a severe crisis in the education system:

• Decline in Educational Quality: Lakhs of experienced teachers would be forced to focus on preparing for the TET to save their jobs, rather than teaching in the classroom. This would seriously harm students’ education.
• Intense Mental Pressure: Teachers would be under extreme mental stress due to the fear of job loss, which would negatively impact their teaching performance.
• Systemic Crisis: The plea highlighted that, overall, the stability of the education system and the respect for experienced teachers would be compromised.

NCTE’s Final Decision: ‘Case Closed’

Ending all speculation, the NCTE’s Regulation Division officially dismissed this plea in a response dated October 14. The NCTE clearly stated that this case is “Closed.”

The Council’s reasoning is very clear. They stated, “The matter has already been determined by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.” In simple terms, this means that since the country’s highest court has already issued a final verdict, the NCTE is not considering any further changes to its regulations.

As a result of this decision, the Supreme Court’s order remains in full effect. Teachers who do not possess the TET qualification must acquire it within the specified deadline. This ‘Case Closed’ remark from the NCTE has effectively ended the last hopes for an exemption, causing widespread anxiety among the teaching community.