Tamil Nadu Govt. Decides to Conduct 3 TET Exams in 2026
Tamil Nadu Government plans three special TET exams in 2026 for in-service teachers as per recent SC orders. The government, along with SCERT and DIET, will provide training to help them clear the exam.
TN TET Exams 2026:
The Tamil Nadu government will conduct three special teacher eligibility tests (TET) in
January, July, and December
for the year 2026, the government announced. The order follows the Supreme Court's decision, making it mandatory for all serving teachers to clear TET within a stipulated period to remain in service.
According to School Education Secretary
B Chandra Mohan
, the Teacher Recruitment Board (TRB) will conduct these exams to help teachers meet the eligibility requirements. Depending on the results and requirements, an additional special TET examination may also be conducted in 2027 for those serving teachers who could not qualify in 2026, thereby ensuring multiple opportunities for all eligible candidates.
The Supreme Court, in its
September 1, 2025
, order, gave a relaxation of two years to serving teachers, except those
with less than five years of service
, to qualify the TET exam. The order warns that teachers who fail to clear the exam within the stipulated period may face compulsory retirement, accelerating the government's efforts to facilitate access and preparation for the exam. The directive has created widespread concern among teachers' unions, as
around two lakh teachers
in government and government-aided schools across Tamil Nadu are affected. Many of them were appointed under earlier recruitment norms before 2010, when TET was not mandatory.
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The Tamil Nadu state, along with Maharashtra and Kerala, has filed a review petition seeking reconsideration of the Supreme Court decision, arguing that it could negatively impact experienced teachers who have served for years under the previous rules. In order to facilitate the preparation of teachers, the Directors of School Education and Elementary Education have made a suggestion that special TET examinations be conducted once in four months. They also suggested training through
SCERT
and online modules from
DIET
centers at the district level to enhance the preparation of teachers.
These measures reflect the Tamil Nadu government's effort to balance compliance with the Supreme Court directions while providing adequate support and flexibility to the affected teachers. By conducting multiple examination sessions and providing structured training, the State aims to ensure that all serving teachers have adequate opportunities to qualify without disrupting their ongoing teaching responsibilities.
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