Maharashtra Ashram Shala Teachers Face TET Mandate

Maharashtra’s Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department has mandated the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers, even as the school education department, which runs more schools, is yet to make a decision on TET.

Written by Pallavi Smart

October 23, 2025 04:11 PM IST

3 min read

A Maharashtra government circular enforcing the TET mandate for in-service Ashram Shala teachers has triggered protests and confusion.

Teachers argue the rule’s retrospective implementation is unfair and demand a uniform policy across departments. (Representative Image)

A circular issued by Maharashtra’s Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department implementing the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) mandate for in-service teachers in Ashram Shalas—residential schools for children from backward communities—has sparked a controversy and a debate on the state’s stance on the retrospective implementation of the rule.

The circular states that all in-service teachers from Classes 1 to 8 who have not passed TET will have to clear the test in the next two years or accept compulsory retirement. Referring to a recent Supreme Court ruling in this regard, the circular notes that this is applicable to teachers having more than five years of service left. Those with less than five years of service can continue without TET as long as they are not seeking promotion.

The move has caused shock, confusion, and apprehension among in-service teachers from Ashram Shalas. They are questioning the “hurried” implementation of the Supreme Court ruling by the department when the state’s school education department, which runs more schools, has yet to make a decision on it.

An Ashram Shala teacher said, “The number of affected teachers in Ashram Shalas would be low. But it will be highly unfair if the Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department implements the mandate even before there is any decision made by the school education department.”

Teachers say the Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department should have waited for the decision of the school education department, which is the primary regulatory body concerning school education.

“Already, questions have been raised over the retrospective implementation of the TET mandate for in-service teachers. All those currently in service without TET are those who were appointed before TET was mandatory. Thus it is only logical to allow them to continue, as they have met with various regulations applicable at the time of their recruitment,” said another teacher.

Suresh Sawale, Joint Secretary of the Spardha Pariksha Samanvay Samiti, an organisation of various competitive exam aspirants, said, “The circular by the Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department has caused an atmosphere of fear among teachers. In Maharashtra, there are schools managed under different departments, and it would be unfair to have different regulations for teacher recruitment. The state government should have one clear policy on the TET mandate for in-service teachers.”

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What did the Supreme Court say?
According to the Supreme Court ruling from September, as per rules framed under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, all teachers of Classes 1-8 need to be TET-qualified. While new recruitments already adhere to it, the court ruling clarified that the TET mandate is applicable to in-service teachers too. All in-service teachers without TET will have to clear it in the next two years or accept compulsory retirement. Those having less than five years of service left are given an exemption provided they are not seeking promotion. The retrospective implementation of the TET mandate has since been a topic of debate in the state, as it could lead to potential job loss for many teachers.

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