TET mandatory for continuation in teaching service or promotion

The Supreme Court in an order dated 1 September 2025 ruled that the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) is mandatory for continuing in teaching service or for promotion. The order came in the case of Anjuman Ishaat-e-Taleem Trust vs State of Maharashtra .

The apex court had also issued guidelines for teachers appointed before the law making TET mandatory came into effect.

The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) had made the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) mandatory from 29 July 2011. The main question was whether teachers appointed before this date were required to pass the TET to continue in service or for promotion. This question was raised particularly in the context of teachers in minority institutions.

The Supreme Court had issued a directive stating that teachers with less than five years of service remaining would be allowed to continue in service without having to pass the TET. The bench had also stated that teachers recruited before the Act came into force, who have more than five years remaining until retirement, will be required to pass the TET within two years. Failure to do so will result in termination of service or compulsory retirement, with payment of retirement benefits.

Around 70 petitions were following the September 2025 order, but in May 2026, the apex court dismissed all these review petitions.