TET must for teachers’ promotion: Govt amid confusion over implementation
Teachers in Maharashtra who have not cleared the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) will not be eligible for promotion, the state school education department has clarified, tightening norms despite the Supreme Court allowing a two-year window for in-service teachers to qualify.
Teachers in Maharashtra who have not passed Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) will not be eligible for promotions, a letter by the school education department stated.
This is the first letter in this regard by the state government, amid confusion over its intentions on implementation of the Supreme Court ruling which made TET mandatory for school teachers.
As per the SC mandate, teachers who are working without TET qualification have two years to obtain it to continue their service.
However, as per the state’s letter, dated January 19, this relaxation will not be allowed to those seeking promotion in Maharashtra in primary schools.
Responding to a query raised by Director Primary Education on seeking clarity in matters of promotion of teachers, at the backdrop of the SC’s TET ruling from September 2025, letter by under secretary from school education department Sharad Makane states, “Subject to the condition of passing the TET within period of two years from the date of delivery of the judgement, promotions from teaching cadre to the posts of graduate teacher, headmaster, cluster resource centre coordinator and extension officer (education) cannot, at present, be granted. Only those teachers who have passed the TET and who also possess the other qualifications required for promotion are eligible for promotion.”
As per the SC ruling, TET is made mandatory not only for new appointments but also for in-service teachers who have more than five years of service remaining. In regards to the latter, the SC ruling states that they will have to clear the TET within the next two years or accept compulsory retirement. Whereas for those who have less than five years of service, they can continue on the job but will not be eligible for any promotion.
The state government letter highlights that it has written to the central government and National Council for Teacher Education with queries related to overall implementation of the SC’s TET ruling and their response is awaited.
According to sources, seniority list for Zilla Parishad (ZP) schools was due and this clarity on TET requirement for promotion was sought for the same.
Story continues below this ad
“Many teachers due for promotion had requested state to continue as per existing practice, which did not include TET qualification in eligibility criteria for promotion, and take an undertaking from them that they will clear TET, within two years. The response, however, has now made it clear that all primary teachers seeking promotion need to have TET qualification and promotion cannot be granted on the condition of the undertaking,” said an official from the school education department.
This has led to disappointment of many teachers who were now due for promotion after years of waiting, but did not have TET qualification. Furthermore teachers organisations have questioned the haste in which decisions are taken by the state government regarding with TET.
Tanaji Kamble from Maharashtra Purogami Shikshak Sanghatana, a teachers’ association, said, “When the central government is considering revision in case of TET, it is questionable why the state government is acting in such a haste.”
Pallavi Smart is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, Mumbai Bureau. Her reporting is singularly focused on the education sector, demonstrating exceptional Expertise and Authority across the entire spectrum of learning, from foundational schooling to advanced higher education. She is a highly Trustworthy source for policy, institutional developments, and systemic issues affecting students, teachers, and parents in Maharashtra.
Expertise
Senior Role: As a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, her designation reflects her seniority, specialized knowledge, and the editorial rigor applied to her reporting.
Core Authority & Specialization: Pallavi Smart is the definitive voice for Education news in the region. Her coverage scope is comprehensive:
Policy and Regulatory Changes: Reports on major shifts in educational policy, including the restructuring of entrance exams (e.g., MHT-CET adopting the JEE Main model), the draft regulatory framework for coaching classes, and revised teacher recruitment processes.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): Provides in-depth reporting on prestigious institutes like IIT Bombay and TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences), covering institutional initiatives, administrative debates (e.g., renaming IIT Bombay), and student welfare programs (e.g., mandatory mental health courses).
Teachers and Eligibility: Covers crucial issues affecting the teaching fraternity, such as the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers and related controversies and application numbers.
Student Welfare & Rights: Focuses on issues concerning students, including the rollout of government scholarships, the financial strain on schools due to midday meal reimbursement delays, and instances of child rights violations (e.g., the Powai studio hostage crisis).
Admissions and Vacancy: Tracks the outcome of centralized admission processes (e.g., MBBS, BPharm) and analyzes vacancy concerns, providing essential data-driven insights for parents and students.
Credentials & Trustworthiness
Dedicated Beat: Her consistent focus on the "KG to PG" education beat allows her to develop unparalleled subject matter knowledge, ensuring her reports are accurate, detailed, and contextualized.
Proactive Reporting: Her articles frequently break news on policy and institutional planning, providing the public with timely, essential information about a sector that directly impacts millions of families.
She tweets @Pallavi_Smart ... Read More
