Will SC's 'Mandatory' TET Exam Ruling Force 3 Lakh Teachers to 'Quit'?

The Supreme Court’s verdict on September 1, 2025, made it clear that the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) is compulsory for in-service and aspiring secondary and graduate teachers who wish to get promotion in the coming years. To remain in the service, the teachers who have more than 5 years left to retire have to pass the TET exam within 2 years. Otherwise, they can take retirement or quit with terminal benefits, according to justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan. The SC’s judgment is said to affect 3 lakh teachers in government, aided, and private schools.

Will this SC verdict force 3 lakh teachers to quit? Not really, as the teachers have 2 years to pass the TET exam. So, it's more of an ultimatum wrapped in a time‑bound opportunity.

The SC, however, stated that the TET requirement under the RTE Act is not needed in minority educational schools or institutions until a larger bench decides the applicability of TET in the minority schools. The court also considered the senior teachers who are nearing their retirement. The teachers who have less than 5 years of service can continue with their current roles without taking the TET exam. However, they cannot apply for promotions unless they pass TET.

Also Read: CTET (CBSE CTET 2025 Notification) Expected Soon; Check Eligibility & Steps to Register

TET Applicability: Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009

The teachers appointed before the RTE Act 2009 need not appear for the TET exam. According to the RTE Act, TET is mandatory for all teachers to ensure the teaching quality across all schools in the country.

While the Supreme Court’s mandatory TET exam ruling creates uncertainty, particularly for the estimated 3 lakh in-service people with careers as teachers , however, it does not automatically force them to quit. The real challenge is to see if the state government provides support to the teachers.

Also Read: TN TET 2025 - Exam Dates (Revised), Admit Card, Result, Cut off, Selection Process

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