New TET Rules: Big Change in TET Exam! Will Government and Private Teachers Now Have to Take the Exam Together? Know the New Rules

New TET Rules: A new chapter is unfolding in the field of teacher recruitment, sparking widespread speculation across the country. A recent notification regarding the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) by the Andhra Pradesh government has initiated this discussion. According to this notification, it’s not just for fresh job aspirants anymore; even currently employed government and private school teachers will have to clear the TET exam. This new rule has ignited a fresh debate among the teaching community and job seekers.

New Regulations for the TET Exam

As per the notification issued by the Andhra Pradesh government, passing the TET has been made mandatory to enter or continue in the teaching profession. Let’s take a look at who falls under this new rule:

• Freshers, Government, and Private Teachers: Alongside new applicants, currently employed (in-service) government teachers and those working in private schools will now have to sit for the TET examination together.
• TET is Compulsory: Whether it’s a government or a private school, passing the TET is now a prerequisite for securing a teaching job.

If this rule is implemented, it is expected to bring a significant change to the teacher recruitment process, making the eligibility criteria more stringent.

The Supreme Court Ruling and the Role of NCTE

Behind this move by the Andhra Pradesh government is a landmark judgment by the Supreme Court. The apex court, in its Civil Appeal (1385 of 2025, dated 09/09/2025) ruling, and referencing the guidelines of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), has stated that a national standard of qualification is essential for teaching.

According to the Supreme Court’s verdict, all in-service teachers who were appointed before the implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act and have more than five years of service remaining until retirement must qualify the TET. This means even long-serving teachers will have to prove their eligibility once again.

Special Warning for Private School Teachers

This notification places a special emphasis on teachers in private schools. Until now, many private schools did not give much importance to TET qualification, but the situation is set to change.

• No Exemptions: Teachers who are employed in private schools and were not appointed by a Competent Authority will not be given any exemption from passing the TET.
• Mandatory Examination: Teachers in private or unaided schools must pass a TET conducted by either the state or the central government.

This could create a risk of job loss for private school teachers if they fail to clear the TET within the stipulated time.

Possible Impact on West Bengal

If this rule from Andhra Pradesh is adopted as a model across the country, it could have a profound impact on the teaching community in West Bengal as well.

• Para-teachers and Contractual Teachers: The state’s para-teachers or contractual teachers may also be required to pass the TET in the future.
• Job Security: Teachers in private schools in West Bengal are being advised to appear for the upcoming TET and secure their job security by obtaining the qualification. Failure to pass the TET could increase the risk of job loss, as school authorities may prefer to hire TET-qualified candidates in the future.