Archive · 19 Aug 2026
MP Teachers Facing Fresh TET Exam Despite Earlier Qualifications
Madhya Pradesh may hold another Teacher Eligibility Test in October.
Some teachers have already taken or cleared earlier eligibility tests.
More than 75,000 teachers appeared for tests held between 2005 and 2008.
Primary teachers also took the PSTET in 2020.
Teachers say their earlier qualifications should be accepted.
The state has asked the Supreme Court to consider an exemption for serving teachers.
So far, the court has not granted relief.
The court says some teachers hired before 2009 must pass TET to remain in service.
Teachers with less than five years before retirement have a limited exemption, but TET may still matter for promotions.
Madhya Pradesh is preparing a fresh Teacher Eligibility Test for October.
More than 75,000 teachers appeared for TET examinations between 2005 and 2008.
PSTET 2020 was later used as a basis for primary-teacher selection.
Teachers are questioning why serving staff must retake an eligibility examination.
Supreme Court directions require some pre-2009 appointees to qualify for continued service.
- Who
- Serving teachers in Madhya Pradesh, the state School Education Department, and the Supreme Court.
- What
- Teachers who took earlier eligibility tests may have to sit for a fresh TET.
- When
- The fresh examination is planned for October; the Supreme Court directions refer to September 1, 2025.
- Where
- Madhya Pradesh, India.
- Why
- The state is preparing the examination after no exemption or other relief has been granted for the affected serving teachers.
Teachers Seeking Recognition
State Preparing For Compliance
Recognition of earlier qualifications
Teachers Seeking Recognition
Teachers argue that earlier TET qualifications should be recognized, particularly because many are already serving in schools.
State Preparing For Compliance
The state has moved ahead with a new examination while seeking further intervention from the Supreme Court.
Need to retake TET
Teachers Seeking Recognition
Teachers question why they should take another eligibility examination after appearing for earlier tests, including PSTET 2020 in the case of primary teachers.
State Preparing For Compliance
The examination is being prepared in response to Supreme Court directions requiring certain teachers appointed before 2009 to qualify TET.
- Planned examination
- A fresh Teacher Eligibility Test is being prepared for October.
- Earlier test participation
- More than 75,000 teachers appeared for TET between 2005 and 2008.
- Primary-teacher test
- The Primary School Teacher Eligibility Test 2020 was used in subsequent teacher selection.
- Supreme Court condition
- Teachers appointed before the Right to Education Act, 2009, with more than five years of service remaining as of September 1, 2025, must qualify TET to continue in service.
- Limited exemption
- Teachers with less than five years remaining before retirement received a limited exemption from TET for continuing in service.
- Promotion requirement
- TET remains relevant for promotion even for teachers covered by the limited exemption.