Supreme Court: TET Mandatory for Teachers, Relief for Those Nearing Retirement
The Supreme Court of India on Monday ruled that the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET) is a mandatory requirement for the appointment of teachers and for those already in service to seek promotions.
Key Highlights of the Verdict
- Teachers with more than five years left to retire must qualify the TET within two years to remain in service.
- If they fail, they must resign or apply for compulsory retirement with terminal benefits.
- Teachers with less than five years of service left are exempt from qualifying TET, but they will not be eligible for promotion.
Case Details
A bench of justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih delivered the judgment after hearing multiple petitions, including those from Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, regarding whether TET is mandatory for teaching service.
One of the appellants, Anjuman Ishaat-e-Taleem Trust, a recognised minority education society, challenged the State of Maharashtra’s decision in the matter. The Supreme Court has referred the question of whether TET can be mandated for minority institutions to a larger Bench.
Supreme Court Observation
“We hold that the provisions of the RTE Act have to be complied with by all schools as defined in Section 2(n), except the schools established and administered by the minority, whether religious or linguistic, till such time reference is decided and subject to answers to the questions formulated,” the bench stated.
Conclusion
The ruling clarifies that TET is essential for both new appointments and career advancement in the teaching profession, while providing partial relief to those nearing retirement. The matter of minority institutions, however, remains under judicial consideration.
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