In-service teachers appointed before TET mandate get 12-month extension; Centre says data on affected teachers held by states
The Union Ministry of Education has confirmed that the Supreme Court has extended the deadline for in-service teachers to qualify the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) from 31 August 2027 to 31 August 2028. The decision, delivered on 29 May 2026, offers relief to thousands of teachers appointed before the TET was made mandatory under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
Responding to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha from Shri E Tukaram, Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary stated that while the central government has assessed the impact of the TET requirement, the actual data on affected teachers — including those in Karnataka — is maintained by state governments and Union Territory administrations. Education falls under the Concurrent List, making recruitment and service conditions a state subject.
Supreme Court's Two-Part Order on TET Compliance
The apex court's original judgment dated 1 September 2025 had firmly established that TET qualification is non-negotiable for teachers in schools covered under the RTE Act. However, in a subsequent order on 29 May 2026, while disposing of review petitions, the bench extended the compliance timeline by a full year. The court also directed that TET examinations should be conducted periodically, preferably twice annually with a six-month gap between sessions, to ensure teachers get adequate opportunities to clear the test.
The full text of both judgments is available on the Supreme Court's official website, with the 29 May 2026 order accessible via the link provided in the ministry's response.
No Central Database on Pre-TET Teachers
The ministry's response made it clear that the central government does not maintain a consolidated database of teachers appointed before the TET mandate came into force. State governments and UT administrations hold this information, as they are responsible for teacher recruitment and service conditions. This means that the exact number of affected teachers across India, including Karnataka, remains with individual states.
When asked about amending Section 23 of the RTE Act to provide relief, the minister did not indicate any legislative proposal. Instead, the government appears to be relying on the judicial route, with the Supreme Court's extended timeline serving as the primary mechanism for addressing concerns of in-service teachers.
States Directed to Conduct TET Twice a Year
The Supreme Court's observation on conducting TET periodically — preferably twice a year — is a significant directive that places the onus on state governments and appropriate authorities. The court emphasised that examinations should be held with an interval of roughly six months between successive tests, providing eligible teachers a reasonable opportunity to meet the prescribed qualification.
This directive is expected to benefit not only in-service teachers but also fresh candidates seeking to enter the teaching profession. States like Karnataka, which has a large pool of teachers appointed before the TET mandate, will need to align their examination schedules with the court's recommendation.
Transitional Relief Still Under Examination
On the question of transitional relief, the minister's response indicated that no specific proposal is currently under active consideration beyond the extended timeline granted by the Supreme Court. The government appears to be awaiting further judicial clarity or state-level interventions. However, the ministry did not rule out future measures, leaving the door open for additional relief mechanisms should the need arise.
The absence of a central database and the lack of a legislative amendment proposal suggest that the government is treading cautiously, balancing judicial mandates with administrative realities.
- 1 September 2025: Supreme Court rules TET mandatory for all teachers under RTE Act.
- 29 May 2026: Supreme Court extends TET compliance deadline to 31 August 2028.
- 31 August 2028: New deadline for in-service teachers to acquire TET qualification.
What This Means for Karnataka's Teachers
For Karnataka, where a significant number of teachers were appointed prior to the TET requirement, the extended deadline offers critical breathing room. The state government will now need to ensure that TET examinations are conducted regularly and that teachers have access to adequate preparation resources.
While the central government has not provided state-wise data, the onus is now on Karnataka and other states to track compliance and facilitate the examination process. Teachers who fail to qualify by the new deadline of 31 August 2028 could face legal consequences, as the Supreme Court has made it clear that TET remains a mandatory minimum qualification.
- Deadline Extended: TET compliance deadline for in-service teachers moved from 31 August 2027 to 31 August 2028.
- State Responsibility: Data on pre-TET teachers is maintained by state governments, not the Centre.
- Court Directive: TET exams must be conducted twice a year, six months apart.
- No Amendment Proposed: Centre has not indicated any plan to amend Section 23 of the RTE Act.
- Judgment Links: Full Supreme Court orders are available on the official website.
View the full text of the 29 May 2026 Supreme Court order extending the TET deadline for in-service teachers.
View Judgment PDFAccess the primary judgment that established TET as mandatory for teachers under the RTE Act.
View Original JudgmentFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Supreme Court extended the deadline from 31 August 2027 to 31 August 2028, giving in-service teachers an additional 12 months to acquire the TET qualification.
No. The Ministry of Education stated that data on pre-TET teachers is maintained by respective state governments and UT administrations, not by the Centre.
The Ministry of Education has not indicated any proposal to amend Section 23 of the RTE Act. The government is currently relying on the Supreme Court's extended timeline as the primary relief measure.
The Supreme Court observed that TET should be conducted periodically, preferably twice every year, with an interval of approximately six months between successive examinations.
The Supreme Court has held that TET is a mandatory minimum qualification under Section 23 of the RTE Act. Teachers who fail to qualify by the extended deadline could face legal consequences, though specific enforcement mechanisms are left to state authorities.
