Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Jammu Kashmir Assembly Seeks TET Exemption for Pre-2019 Teachers
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly wants some older teachers to be excused from taking the Teacher Eligibility Test.
These teachers were appointed before October 31, 2019.
The Assembly passed this request unanimously.
It asked the central government to change the education law.
It also asked the teacher education council to issue the needed notification.
The Supreme Court had said that covered teachers must pass the test to continue working.
Jammu and Kashmir’s government says the issue concerns fairness and the dignity of teachers.
Tamil Nadu passed a similar resolution last month.
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly unanimously passed a resolution seeking TET exemption for teachers appointed before October 31, 2019.
The resolution asks the Centre to amend Section 23 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
It also seeks legal steps and a National Council for Teacher Education notification implementing the exemption.
School Education Minister Sakeena Itoo said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had directed an appeal to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court’s September 1, 2025, judgment said TET is required for covered in-service teachers to remain in service.
- Who
- The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, School Education Minister Sakeena Itoo, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah are seeking the exemption; the Supreme Court issued the relevant judgment.
- What
- The Assembly unanimously passed a resolution seeking exemption from the Teacher Eligibility Test for teachers appointed before October 31, 2019.
- When
- The resolution was discussed and passed on Thursday; it was moved on Tuesday. The cited Supreme Court judgment was issued on September 1, 2025.
- Where
- Jammu and Kashmir, with the requested legal amendment to be made by the Centre.
- Why
- The government says the TET requirement is not appropriate or fair for the affected teachers and concerns their dignity.
Jammu and Kashmir Government and Assembly
Supreme Court Requirement
Whether older teachers should take TET
Jammu and Kashmir Government and Assembly
The Assembly wants teachers appointed before October 31, 2019, exempted through an amendment to the education law, arguing that the requirement is not appropriate or fair for them.
Supreme Court Requirement
The Supreme Court’s September 1, 2025, judgment said TET is the minimum qualification for covered in-service teachers and that they must qualify to continue in service.
Basis for the exemption request
Jammu and Kashmir Government and Assembly
School Education Minister Sakeena Itoo said the issue is about the dignity of teachers, not simply their ability to pass an examination.
Supreme Court Requirement
The court’s stated position treats TET as a required qualification for the teachers covered by the Right to Education Act.
- Resolution status
- Passed unanimously by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly
- Affected teachers
- Teachers appointed before October 31, 2019
- Requested legal change
- Amendment to Section 23 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009
- Required test
- Teacher Eligibility Test (TET)
- Relevant ruling
- The Supreme Court’s September 1, 2025, judgment said covered in-service teachers must qualify TET to continue in service
- Similar resolution
- Tamil Nadu passed a similar resolution last month
- Proposed implementation
- Legal steps and a notification through the National Council for Teacher Education