In a major parliamentary update concerning school education standards and teacher service conditions, the Ministry of Education has addressed queries regarding the Mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for teachers appointed prior to 2013.
Replying to Starred Question No. 208 in the Lok Sabha on August 03, 2026, Minister of Education Shri Pralhad Joshi clarified the central government’s position on TET requirements under Section 23 of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, alongside recent Supreme Court directives.
SC Rulings and Extended Timeline for TET Qualification
Addressing concerns about job security, humanitarian exemptions, and decades of teaching experience, the statement placed on the table of the House highlighted key judicial rulings governing teacher qualifications:
- Supreme Court Judgment (01.09.2025): The Apex Court ruled that qualifying the Teacher Eligibility Test is a mandatory minimum qualification under Section 23 of the RTE Act, 2009, for school teachers covered under the Act.
- Review Petition & Extended Deadline (29.05.2026): Disposing of review petitions, the Supreme Court extended the deadline for in-service teachers to obtain TET qualifications from 31.08.2027 to 31.08.2028.
- Bi-Annual Examination Guidelines: The Supreme Court directed appropriate governments and authorities to conduct the TET periodically—preferably twice every year with a six-month gap—to provide reasonable compliance opportunities to serving educators.
Jurisdiction Over Pre-2013 Teacher Appointments
The Ministry of Education emphasized that Education falls under the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution. Consequently:
- State & UT Domain: Recruitment, service conditions, and deployment of teachers fall directly within the administrative purview of respective State Governments and UT Administrations.
- Data Maintenance: Specific records regarding pre-2013 appointees affected by mandatory TET compliance are maintained at the State and Union Territory levels.
Summary of Mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test Norms
| Parameter | Official Status / Supreme Court Order |
| Statutory Provision | Section 23 of the RTE Act, 2009 |
| Mandatory Requirement | Minimum eligibility for school teachers |
| Revised Compliance Deadline | August 31, 2028 (extended from Aug 31, 2027) |
| Exam Frequency Recommendation | Twice a Year (every 6 months) |
| Administrative Control | Respective State Governments & UTs |
Impact on In-Service Teachers
The Ministry’s parliamentary statement confirms that the statutory framework of the RTE Act, as upheld by the Supreme Court, treats the Mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test as an essential qualification standard for maintaining classroom quality. Serving teachers across states now have until August 31, 2028, to clear the examination through periodic state-conducted tests.
