Srinagar, February 26: In a significant development for the teaching community of Jammu and Kashmir, the School Education Department has officially kept in abeyance the earlier government order related to the implementation of the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET).
According to Government Order No. 87-JK (Edu) of 2026 dated 26-02-2026, the previous Government Order No. 82-JK (Edu) of 2026 dated 23-02-2026 has been kept in abeyance till further orders.
What the Previous Order Stated
The earlier order had designated the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) and the State School Standards Authority (SSSA) as the nodal agencies for conducting the Teachers Eligibility Test in the Union Territory.
That order had also referenced the Supreme Court judgment dated 01.09.2025 in Civil Appeal No. 1385/2025 titled Anjuman Ishat-E-Taleem Trust vs State of Maharashtra & Others, which discussed compliance with TET requirements under the Right to Education framework.
The notification had triggered widespread concern among in-service teachers across Jammu and Kashmir, as many interpreted it as the beginning of immediate implementation of TET in the Union Territory.
Fresh Order: What It Means
The new order clearly states:
“The Government Order No. 82-JK (Edu) of 2026 dated 23-02-2026 regarding the above subject, is hereby kept in abeyance, till further orders.”
This effectively suspends the earlier decision for the time being.
The order has been issued by the School Education Department and signed by Ram Niwas Sharma, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, School Education Department. It has been circulated to all concerned authorities, including:
• Joint Secretary (J&K & L), Ministry of Home Affairs
• Project Director, Samagra Shiksha
• Directors of School Education, Jammu and Kashmir
• Chairman, JKBOSE/SSSA
• All Chief Education Officers
• Other administrative offices
Impact on Teachers
The decision to keep the earlier order in abeyance brings immediate relief to thousands of government school teachers who were anxious about possible mandatory qualification requirements.
For now:
• The TET implementation process linked to the earlier order stands suspended
• No immediate enforcement mechanism is active under the withdrawn order
• Administrative steps tied to that notification are paused
This move reduces immediate uncertainty regarding service conditions and promotions.
Legal and Administrative Context
The earlier order had been linked to the Supreme Court’s directions concerning teacher eligibility under the RTE framework. However, implementation of such judicial principles often requires structured administrative planning.
By keeping the order in abeyance, the government has effectively paused the operationalization of TET through JKBOSE and SSSA until further clarity or policy decision.
What Happens Next
The phrase “till further orders” indicates that the matter is not closed but under review. Future action will depend on administrative decisions, legal considerations, and broader policy alignment.
For now, there is no active enforcement of the earlier TET nodal agency designation order.
