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Teachers who passed TET within the extended period are safe in their jobs
Big relief for TET-passed teachers! Teachers who did not have a certificate at the time of appointment cannot be removed from service: Historic verdict of the Supreme Court
Teachers who passed TET within the extended period are safe in their jobs; Supreme Court quashes termination of service, orders for reappointment
New Delhi/Lucknow, November 8, 2025Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) is considered an important step in the education sector. After the implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE Act-2009), passing TET became mandatory for primary teachers. However, many teachers were removed from service due to lack of TET certificate at the time of appointment. In such a case, the Supreme Court today gave a historic verdict, giving great relief to thousands of teachers. A two-judge bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran clarified that teachers who passed TET within the extended period (up to March 31, 2019) under the RTE Act cannot be removed from service solely on the ground that they did not have a certificate at the time of appointment.
What was the case?
The case concerns two assistant teachers from Kanpur Nagar in Uttar Pradesh. Uma Kant and her colleague were appointed as primary teachers in 2012. At the time of appointment, they did not have TET certificates. However, they passed the TET exam before the extension period – one in 2011 and the other in 2014. Still, the Basic Education Officer (BSA) terminated their services in July 2018. The reason? “There was no eligibility at the time of appointment.”
The teachers approached the Allahabad High Court. Both the single judge and the bench upheld the termination order. Finally, a special leave petition (SLP) was filed in the Supreme Court. In today’s verdict, the court set aside both the high court orders and ordered the teachers to be reinstated immediately.
What exactly did the court say?
The bench cited the 2017 amendment to Section 23 of the RTE Act. This amendment had given a four-year extension – i.e. till March 31, 2019 – to teachers who were not eligible as on March 31, 2015. The court raised the question:
"The teachers had passed TET before the date of termination of service (before July 12, 2018). Then how were they declared ineligible? Terminating service on the sole ground of non-availability of TET is unjust."
The court also clarified that such teachers will get continuity of service, seniority and other ancillary benefits. Only back wages will not be paid. This verdict is not limited to these two teachers, but will be a guide for thousands of similar cases across the country.
Background: Journey of RTE and TET
2009: RTE Act implemented. TET mandatory for primary teachers as per Section 23.
2010: NCTE announced TET norms.
2015: Deadline expired, but lakhs of teachers ineligible.
2017: Centre extends deadline till March 31, 2019 by amending it.
2025 (September): Supreme Court gives two years' time to make TET mandatory for in-service teachers. (Anjuman Ishaat-e-Taalim case)
Today: Protection for those who passed within the extended period.
Against this backdrop, today's result is being considered "removing injustice".
Results across the country
Uttar Pradesh: Many teachers in the 68500 recruitment will benefit. Support for Shiksha Mitras too.
Maharashtra: Relief for teachers in ashram schools, private institutions.
Tamil Nadu, Tripura: Similar cases pending; will take the result as a basis.
Teachers' organizations: Uttar Pradesh Primary Teachers' Association, Maharashtra State Teachers' Council welcomed the result. "This is a victory for the struggle of teachers," said organization leader Vinay Tiwari.
However, teachers who passed TET after March 31, 2019 or have not yet passed it, will have to pass it within two years (by September 1, 2027) as per the September 2025 result, otherwise forced retirement.
Expert opinion
Education expert Dr. Anita Rampise said, "This verdict will boost the morale of teachers. But state governments should increase TET training centers, otherwise schools will close due to lack of teachers."
What next?
Affected teachers should apply to the BSA or DEO office.
State governments will implement the verdict.
Issue pending with a larger bench regarding minority institutions.
This verdict strengthens the basic purpose of the Right to Education Act. Bringing tears of joy to the eyes of lakhs of teachers, while providing stability to the future of students!
Big relief for TET-passed teachers! Teachers who did not have a certificate at the time of appointment cannot be removed from service: Historic verdict of the Supreme Court
Teachers who passed TET within the extended period are safe in their jobs; Supreme Court quashes termination of service, orders for reappointment
New Delhi/Lucknow, November 8, 2025Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) is considered an important step in the education sector. After the implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE Act-2009), passing TET became mandatory for primary teachers. However, many teachers were removed from service due to lack of TET certificate at the time of appointment. In such a case, the Supreme Court today gave a historic verdict, giving great relief to thousands of teachers. A two-judge bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran clarified that teachers who passed TET within the extended period (up to March 31, 2019) under the RTE Act cannot be removed from service solely on the ground that they did not have a certificate at the time of appointment.
What was the case?
The case concerns two assistant teachers from Kanpur Nagar in Uttar Pradesh. Uma Kant and her colleague were appointed as primary teachers in 2012. At the time of appointment, they did not have TET certificates. However, they passed the TET exam before the extension period – one in 2011 and the other in 2014. Still, the Basic Education Officer (BSA) terminated their services in July 2018. The reason? “There was no eligibility at the time of appointment.”
The teachers approached the Allahabad High Court. Both the single judge and the bench upheld the termination order. Finally, a special leave petition (SLP) was filed in the Supreme Court. In today’s verdict, the court set aside both the high court orders and ordered the teachers to be reinstated immediately.
What exactly did the court say?
The bench cited the 2017 amendment to Section 23 of the RTE Act. This amendment had given a four-year extension – i.e. till March 31, 2019 – to teachers who were not eligible as on March 31, 2015. The court raised the question:
"The teachers had passed TET before the date of termination of service (before July 12, 2018). Then how were they declared ineligible? Terminating service on the sole ground of non-availability of TET is unjust."
The court also clarified that such teachers will get continuity of service, seniority and other ancillary benefits. Only back wages will not be paid. This verdict is not limited to these two teachers, but will be a guide for thousands of similar cases across the country.
Background: Journey of RTE and TET
2009: RTE Act implemented. TET mandatory for primary teachers as per Section 23.
2010: NCTE announced TET norms.
2015: Deadline expired, but lakhs of teachers ineligible.
2017: Centre extends deadline till March 31, 2019 by amending it.
2025 (September): Supreme Court gives two years' time to make TET mandatory for in-service teachers. (Anjuman Ishaat-e-Taalim case)
Today: Protection for those who passed within the extended period.
Against this backdrop, today's result is being considered "removing injustice".
Results across the country
Uttar Pradesh: Many teachers in the 68500 recruitment will benefit. Support for Shiksha Mitras too.
Maharashtra: Relief for teachers in ashram schools, private institutions.
Tamil Nadu, Tripura: Similar cases pending; will take the result as a basis.
Teachers' organizations: Uttar Pradesh Primary Teachers' Association, Maharashtra State Teachers' Council welcomed the result. "This is a victory for the struggle of teachers," said organization leader Vinay Tiwari.
However, teachers who passed TET after March 31, 2019 or have not yet passed it, will have to pass it within two years (by September 1, 2027) as per the September 2025 result, otherwise forced retirement.
Expert opinion
Education expert Dr. Anita Rampise said, "This verdict will boost the morale of teachers. But state governments should increase TET training centers, otherwise schools will close due to lack of teachers."
What next?
Affected teachers should apply to the BSA or DEO office.
State governments will implement the verdict.
Issue pending with a larger bench regarding minority institutions.
This verdict strengthens the basic purpose of the Right to Education Act. Bringing tears of joy to the eyes of lakhs of teachers, while providing stability to the future of students!
Teachers who passed TET within the extended period are safe in their jobs; Supreme Court quashes termination of service, orders for reappointment
New Delhi/Lucknow, November 8, 2025Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) is considered an important step in the education sector. After the implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE Act-2009), passing TET became mandatory for primary teachers. However, many teachers were removed from service due to lack of TET certificate at the time of appointment. In such a case, the Supreme Court today gave a historic verdict, giving great relief to thousands of teachers. A two-judge bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran clarified that teachers who passed TET within the extended period (up to March 31, 2019) under the RTE Act cannot be removed from service solely on the ground that they did not have a certificate at the time of appointment.
What was the case?
The case concerns two assistant teachers from Kanpur Nagar in Uttar Pradesh. Uma Kant and her colleague were appointed as primary teachers in 2012. At the time of appointment, they did not have TET certificates. However, they passed the TET exam before the extension period – one in 2011 and the other in 2014. Still, the Basic Education Officer (BSA) terminated their services in July 2018. The reason? “There was no eligibility at the time of appointment.”
The teachers approached the Allahabad High Court. Both the single judge and the bench upheld the termination order. Finally, a special leave petition (SLP) was filed in the Supreme Court. In today’s verdict, the court set aside both the high court orders and ordered the teachers to be reinstated immediately.
What exactly did the court say?
The bench cited the 2017 amendment to Section 23 of the RTE Act. This amendment had given a four-year extension – i.e. till March 31, 2019 – to teachers who were not eligible as on March 31, 2015. The court raised the question:
"The teachers had passed TET before the date of termination of service (before July 12, 2018). Then how were they declared ineligible? Terminating service on the sole ground of non-availability of TET is unjust."
The court also clarified that such teachers will get continuity of service, seniority and other ancillary benefits. Only back wages will not be paid. This verdict is not limited to these two teachers, but will be a guide for thousands of similar cases across the country.
Background: Journey of RTE and TET
2009: RTE Act implemented. TET mandatory for primary teachers as per Section 23.
2010: NCTE announced TET norms.
2015: Deadline expired, but lakhs of teachers ineligible.
2017: Centre extends deadline till March 31, 2019 by amending it.
2025 (September): Supreme Court gives two years' time to make TET mandatory for in-service teachers. (Anjuman Ishaat-e-Taalim case)
Today: Protection for those who passed within the extended period.
Against this backdrop, today's result is being considered "removing injustice".
Results across the country
Uttar Pradesh: Many teachers in the 68500 recruitment will benefit. Support for Shiksha Mitras too.
Maharashtra: Relief for teachers in ashram schools, private institutions.
Tamil Nadu, Tripura: Similar cases pending; will take the result as a basis.
Teachers' organizations: Uttar Pradesh Primary Teachers' Association, Maharashtra State Teachers' Council welcomed the result. "This is a victory for the struggle of teachers," said organization leader Vinay Tiwari.
However, teachers who passed TET after March 31, 2019 or have not yet passed it, will have to pass it within two years (by September 1, 2027) as per the September 2025 result, otherwise forced retirement.
Expert opinion
Education expert Dr. Anita Rampise said, "This verdict will boost the morale of teachers. But state governments should increase TET training centers, otherwise schools will close due to lack of teachers."
What next?
Affected teachers should apply to the BSA or DEO office.
State governments will implement the verdict.
Issue pending with a larger bench regarding minority institutions.
This verdict strengthens the basic purpose of the Right to Education Act. Bringing tears of joy to the eyes of lakhs of teachers, while providing stability to the future of students!
