Parliament Question: Waiver of Teacher Eligibility Test

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO:- 2389 ANSWERED ON-03/08/2026 Waiver of Teacher Eligibility Test †2389. Shri Satpal Brahamchari: Shri Jai Parkash: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that many teachers appointed before the year 2010 were appointed as per the recruitment rules applicable at that time and mandatory passing of Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) was implemented later; (b) if so, whether the Government has held any consultation or review with the States regarding exemption from TET requirement or making special provisions for the said teachers; (c) if so, the main findings and decisions taken thereof; (d) whether the Government is considering removing the mandatory requirement of TET or providing an alternative arrangement to protect the interests of teachers appointed before the year 2010, keeping in view the National Education Policy (NEP) and the objectives of quality education; and (e) if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY) (a) to (e): Education is a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution and the recruitment, service conditions and deployment of teachers fall within the administrative domain of the respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, vide its judgment dated 01.09.2025, inter alia, held that the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) is one of the minimum qualifications prescribed under Section 23 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, and is mandatory for appointment as a teacher in schools covered under the Act. The order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court may be accessed at the following link: https://api.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2018/36466/36466_2018_9_1501_63764_Judgement_01-Sep- 2025.pdf Subsequently, while disposing of the review petitions in the matter, vide judgment dated 29.05.2026 the Hon'ble Supreme Court extended the timeline for acquisition of TET qualification from 31.08.2027 to31.08.2028. The judgment dated 29.05.2026 of the Hon'ble Supreme Court may be accessed at the following link: https://api.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2025/53434/53434_2025_7_1501_71637_Judgement_29-May- 2026.pdf The Hon'ble Supreme Court, in the judgment dated 29.05.2026, has further observed that the respective appropriate Governments/authorities should endeavour to conduct the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) periodically, preferably twice every year, with an interval of approximately six months between successive examinations, so as to afford eligible teachers a reasonable opportunity to comply with the prescribed minimum qualification. *****