Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Bombay High Court Upholds Tampered TET Results Cancellation, Rejects Permanent Ban
The Maharashtra Teachers Eligibility Test helps people qualify to teach children in Standards I to VIII.
Investigators found that some candidates’ recorded marks had been increased.
A committee checked original answer sheets and other records and confirmed widespread changes.
The Bombay High Court said the authorities could cancel the affected results without first holding hearings.
But it said a permanent ban from future exams is a punishment that needs fair process.
The court set those bans aside.
It told authorities to send notices and let candidates explain their side before deciding on a ban or other discipline.
The ruling does not restore the cancelled results.
The Bombay High Court upheld cancellation of TET results for candidates whose marks were found to have been altered.
The case covered more than 500 petitions challenging orders issued by Maharashtra authorities in 2022.
Investigators found altered marks affecting around 7,880 candidates in TET 2019 and nearly 1,700 in TET 2018.
A six-member expert committee reviewed original answer sheets, answer keys and digital records and confirmed large-scale tampering.
The court set aside permanent examination bans imposed without hearings and ordered authorities to issue show-cause notices before deciding on further punishment.
- Who
- The Bombay High Court, Maharashtra examination authorities, and candidates whose TET marks were found to have been altered.
- What
- The court upheld cancellation of the affected TET results but set aside permanent bans imposed without hearings.
- When
- The order was passed on September 30; the challenged government and examination-authority orders were issued in 2022.
- Where
- The Bombay High Court’s Aurangabad bench, Maharashtra.
- Why
- An investigation and expert review found marks had been altered, while the court said permanent debarment required an opportunity for candidates to respond.
Authorities’ Actions
Court’s Ruling
Cancellation of results
Authorities’ Actions
Authorities cancelled the qualifications after an investigation and expert committee found marks had been altered.
Court’s Ruling
The court upheld the cancellations, finding that a hearing would not have changed the result given the established alterations.
Permanent debarment
Authorities’ Actions
Authorities permanently barred the affected candidates from future examinations.
Court’s Ruling
The court set aside the bans because permanent debarment is punitive and candidates must first receive notices and an opportunity to defend themselves.
- Court
- Bombay High Court, Aurangabad bench
- Judges
- Justices Kishore Sant and Jitendra Jain
- Order date
- September 30
- Petitions
- More than 500
- TET 2019 candidates affected
- Around 7,880
- TET 2018 candidates affected
- Nearly 1,700
- Court’s ruling
- Results cancellation upheld; permanent bans set aside pending due process