TET Mandatory: Will Job Remain Without TET? Centre Issues Strict Guidelines for Teachers
TET Mandatory A notification issued by the Central Education Department on December 31, 2025, has sparked intense discussion within the education sector. Citing a recent Supreme Court order, the Central Government has summoned a list of teachers who have not yet passed the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) from all states and union territories. States have been directed to submit their stance and accurate statistics by January 16, 2026.
Primarily, this step is seen as a move to maintain quality in the teaching profession and resolve legal complexities. However, questions are already being raised about how challenging these guidelines might be for in-service teachers.
Service Tenure and TET: Rules Breakdown
According to the Supreme Court’s directive, two separate rules have been proposed based on the remaining service tenure of the teachers. These rules will play a significant role in determining the future of many educators. The details are as follows:
| Remaining Service Tenure | New Rules & Impact |
|---|---|
| Less than 5 Years | The job will remain secure. Passing TET is not mandatory. However, no future promotions will be granted. TET is mandatory for any promotion. |
| More than 5 Years | Passing TET within the next 2 years is mandatory. Failure to do so may lead to ‘Compulsory Retirement’. In such cases, terminal benefits will be provided. |
What Information Has Been Sought from States?
The Central Government has not only asked for a list but also sought clear opinions on legal and administrative fronts. The notification emphasizes three main aspects:
- Accurate Statistics: The precise number of currently serving teachers in the state who have not yet passed the TET.
- Basis of Recruitment: Detailed information on which NCTE guidelines were followed during the recruitment of these teachers.
- Legal Opinion: A legal explanation of how this Supreme Court verdict might impact the state’s education system and what steps the state government is considering to manage the situation.
Teachers’ Concerns and Potential Impact
Since the release of this notification, a shadow of concern has fallen over various teacher organizations. Specifically, for teachers who have more than 5 years of service left but are not far from retirement, preparing for the TET exam anew at this age has become a source of immense difficulty and mental stress.
A section of the teaching community believes that experience is a teacher’s greatest asset. Retrenching experienced teachers or sending them on compulsory retirement based solely on one exam could create a massive ‘vacuum’ in the education system. There are fears that this could disrupt student learning. All eyes are now on what reports the state governments submit to the Centre by January 16 and whether any special measures will be taken to protect the interests of the teachers.
