Archive · 12 Sep 2026
West Bengal prepares TET for 90,000 in-service teachers
West Bengal is preparing a test for many teachers who are already working in schools.
The test is called the Teacher Eligibility Test, or TET.
The Supreme Court said some teachers hired before a 2009 education law must pass it.
This applies especially to teachers who have more than five years left to work.
Teachers have until August 31, 2028, to qualify.
About 90,000 teachers who teach classes 1 to 8 may be affected.
The state has asked two education bodies to plan the exams.
Teachers with five years or less left can keep working without passing TET, but they would need it if they want a promotion.
The West Bengal School Education Department asked authorities to prepare the Teacher Eligibility Test for in-service teachers appointed before the 2009 RTE Act.
The Supreme Court made TET qualification mandatory for eligible teachers with more than five years of service remaining.
The qualification deadline was extended from two years to August 31, 2028, with no further extension planned.
About 90,000 teachers teaching classes 1 to 8 in West Bengal may need to take the examination.
Teachers with five years or less of service remaining are exempt for continued service but need TET qualification for promotion.
- Who
- The West Bengal School Education Department, the West Bengal School Service Commission, the West Bengal Board of Primary Education, and affected in-service teachers.
- What
- Authorities are preparing to conduct the Teacher Eligibility Test for eligible in-service teachers.
- When
- The state notification was issued on September 11; the Supreme Court judgment was issued on September 1, 2025, and its review order came on May 29, 2026. The qualification deadline is August 31, 2028.
- Where
- West Bengal, including Kolkata.
- Why
- To implement Supreme Court directions requiring eligible pre-2009 RTE Act teachers to obtain TET qualification.
Exemption advocates
Court-directed implementation
Whether experienced teachers should take TET
Exemption advocates
The Bangiya Shikshak O Shiksha Karmi Samiti has sought exemption for teachers appointed before August 23, 2010, arguing that many have already served for 15 to 20 years.
Court-directed implementation
The Supreme Court has retained the mandatory TET requirement for eligible in-service teachers, while extending the qualification deadline to August 31, 2028.
State response to the requirement
Exemption advocates
Teacher groups have opposed the requirement and announced plans for protests; Tamil Nadu’s Assembly also sought a permanent exemption for certain government teachers.
Court-directed implementation
West Bengal has begun gathering information from examination authorities to create a process for conducting TET in line with the Supreme Court’s directions.
Deadline and future extensions
Exemption advocates
Teacher organizations have sought government intervention with the Centre to obtain exemptions.
Court-directed implementation
The Supreme Court said states should provide periodic examination opportunities and that no further extension of the deadline would be entertained.
- Examination
- Teacher Eligibility Test (TET)
- Potentially affected teachers
- Around 90,000 teachers teaching classes 1 to 8
- Qualification deadline
- August 31, 2028
- Exam frequency
- Preferably twice a year, with about six months between examinations
- Exemption
- Teachers with five years or less of service remaining are exempt for continued service
- Promotion condition
- Teachers covered by the exemption still need TET qualification to seek promotion
- Responsible authorities
- West Bengal School Service Commission and West Bengal Board of Primary Education
