TET for Teachers: 90,000 Teachers Face Exam Mandate as State Prepares Dual Strategy

TET for Teachers of West Bengal: A recent Supreme Court judgment has created significant uncertainty for approximately 90,000 in-service teachers in West Bengal, who may now be required to pass the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) to retain their jobs. In response, the state government is pursuing a dual strategy: challenging the verdict legally while simultaneously preparing for a large-scale TET examination.

The core of the issue stems from a Supreme Court order on September 1, 2025, which mandated that all in-service primary and upper primary teachers with more than five years of service remaining must clear the TET. This decision has sent ripples of anxiety throughout the state’s education community.

The Supreme Court’s Landmark Verdict

The ruling, delivered by a division bench of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Augustine George Masih, directly impacts teachers who were appointed without a TET qualification. An internal survey conducted by the West Bengal education department confirmed that nearly 90,000 teachers fall into this category.

The court has reportedly set a two-year deadline, effective from September 1, 2025, for these teachers to pass the eligibility test. This ultimatum places immense pressure on educators, many of whom have been in service for years, forcing them to choose between legal hopes and exam preparations.

A Two-Pronged Strategy: Legal Action and Exam Preparation

The state government is navigating this complex situation on two distinct fronts to safeguard the interests of its teachers.

1. The Legal Challenge

The West Bengal government is preparing to file a Review Petition in the Supreme Court, expected to be submitted shortly after the Kali Puja holidays. This legal move aims to seek a reconsideration of the mandatory TET ruling.

This effort is part of a larger legal battle. A Modification Application (MA) was already filed on October 14 in the case of Bimal Kumar vs. Union of India. This MA specifically seeks an exemption for teachers who were appointed or had recruitment notifications issued before the 2010-11 NCTE notification that first mandated the TET. As of mid-October, a total of 12 review petitions, one writ petition, and this modification application are active against the judgment, highlighting the widespread nature of the challenge.

2. The Contingency Plan: Preparing for a New TET

Understanding that a legal victory is not guaranteed, the state education department is taking no chances. The West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE) is actively preparing for the logistical challenge of conducting a new TET exam for the 90,000 affected teachers.

In a directive issued around September 22, the WBBPE instructed all District Primary School Councils (DPSC) to compile and submit a detailed list of all in-service teachers who have not passed the TET. This data collection is crucial for two reasons:

• It provides the precise data needed to support the state’s review petition in court.
• It lays the groundwork for organizing the special TET, identifying exactly who needs to take the exam.

What This Means for West Bengal’s Educators

This situation has placed tens of thousands of teachers in a state of extreme anxiety. They are caught between continuing their professional duties and the sudden need to study for a high-stakes eligibility test.

The state’s dual approach reflects the seriousness of the situation. By preparing for both a legal appeal and a new exam, the government aims to provide a safety net. This strategy is not unique; while Uttar Pradesh also filed a review petition in a similar case, Tamil Nadu has opted to conduct a three-phase TET next year. The coming weeks will be critical as the education community in West Bengal awaits the Supreme Court’s response to the legal challenges.