The School Teachers Federation of India (STFI) has filed a review petition before a higher bench of the Supreme Court challenging the apex court’s September 1 order which made the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) mandatory for all teachers across the country

Teachers’ Bodies Move Supreme Court for Review of TET Mandatory

The School Teachers Federation of India (STFI) has filed a review petition before a higher bench of the Supreme Court challenging the apex court’s September 1 order which made the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) mandatory for all teachers across the country.

Soon after the petition was filed, STFI leaders gathered at the Supreme Court, joined by affiliated state-level organisations including Tripura Government Teachers Association (TGTA) and Tripura Teachers Association (TTA–HB Road). Both these Tripura-based organisations, being members of STFI, have extended their support to the legal move.

On September 1, 2025, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment declaring that all serving teachers from Classes I to VIII, both in primary and upper primary levels, must clear the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) to continue in service. Teachers with more than five years of service left before retirement must clear TET to retain their jobs. Those with less than five years to retire may continue without passing TET but will not be eligible for promotion. Serving teachers have been given a two-year window to qualify. Failure to do so could lead to compulsory retirement or termination.

Passing TET has been reaffirmed as a compulsory requirement for all future teaching appointments.

Minority institutions issue: The question of whether minority-managed institutions would be bound by the ruling has been referred to a larger bench for further consideration.

The order aims to ensure quality education by standardizing teacher qualifications nationwide. It seeks to create a uniform benchmark for competency, strengthen the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, and align with National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) norms.

However, the ruling has triggered widespread concern among teachers’ associations. While many acknowledge the intent of improving teaching standards, they argue that experienced teachers with decades of service should not be compelled to re-qualify through TET at this stage of their careers.

In Tripura, TGTA and TTA (HB Road) have taken the lead in backing STFI’s legal challenge. Teachers across the state have expressed solidarity, applauding the organisations for taking up what they describe as a “collective fight” to protect teachers’ rights while balancing the need for quality education.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday directed the Basic Education Department to file a review petition against the Supreme Court order making the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) mandatory for in-service teachers.
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