TET Wrong Question Case: The Supreme Court of India has finally resolved the decade-long legal dispute surrounding the 2014 Primary Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) in West Bengal. A division bench comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe has upheld the Calcutta High Court’s ruling, directing the West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE) to award 6 full marks to all participating candidates for 6 incorrect questions.
Table of Contents
Background of the TET 2014 Dispute
- Notification and Exam: The WBBPE issued the Primary TET notification in 2014, and the examination was officially conducted in 2015.
- Candidate Turnout: Out of the 30 lakh applicants who registered, nearly 22 to 23 lakh candidates actually appeared for the test.
- The Wrong Question Controversy: Following the examination, widespread allegations emerged regarding incorrect questions and flawed answer options, prompting candidates to approach the Calcutta High Court.
- Expert Committee Findings: Calcutta High Court’s then-Justice Samapti Chatterjee ordered the formation of an expert committee consisting of professors from Visva-Bharati University. The committee officially verified and confirmed that 6 questions or their provided options were indeed erroneous.
From High Court to Supreme Court
The initial single-bench ruling of the Calcutta High Court stated that only the petitioners, including Pratibha Mandal, who had specifically attempted the flawed questions would receive the compensatory marks. However, the division bench of then-Justice Subrata Talukdar subsequently modified this directive. The court observed that candidates should not be penalised for the Board’s administrative mistakes, ordering that the 6 marks be awarded to all candidates universally.
The WBBPE, along with a section of 2017 TET-qualified candidates, challenged this equitable order in the Supreme Court. Finally, the apex court dismissed the appeal and firmly validated the High Court’s decision.
Practical Impact on Candidates
The Supreme Court verdict brings a monumental shift for thousands of job aspirants. Here is how it practically affects them:
- Clearing the Cut-off: Candidates who previously failed to clear the TET because they fell short by 1 to 6 marks will now successfully qualify the examination due to the addition of these grace marks.
- Eligibility for Future Recruitment: With the newly added marks, a large number of previously unsuccessful candidates will secure their TET passing certificates, making them fully eligible to participate in upcoming primary teacher recruitment drives and interviews.
- End of Legal Limbo: This judgment conclusively ends a 10-year-long agonizing wait, allowing both the candidates and the WBBPE to move forward without the shadow of pending litigation.
Latest Update & Next Steps
According to latest information, the WBBPE is now expected to initiate administrative procedures to accommodate the newly qualified candidates. As many previously secured jobs through court orders due to these very questions, the Board will need to issue official notifications outlining how the rest of the successful candidates will receive their revised TET certificates and be integrated into the recruitment workflow.
