Bhubaneswar: The Odisha School and Mass Education Department has directed education authorities to implement a recent Supreme Court order that extends the deadline for in-service teachers to acquire the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) qualification by one year.
In a letter issued by Additional Secretary Jadumani Mahala, the department informed the Director of Elementary Education about the apex court’s modification of its earlier directions. While hearing review petitions in the case of State of Uttar Pradesh vs. Anjuman Ishaat-E-Taleem Trust & Others, the Supreme Court extend
ed the time available for serving teachers to obtain TET qualification from two years to three years.
As a result, the last date for acquiring the mandatory TET qualification now stands extended from August 31, 2027, to August 31, 2028. The court reaffirmed that TET remains compulsory for in-service teachers to continue in service and for promotions, emphasising the Right to Education (RTE) Act as child-centric legislation where the educational future of children takes precedence. It described the extension as a one-time measure under Article 142 of the Constitution and made it clear that no further extensions would be entertained.
The department has instructed all District Education Officers (DEOs), Block Education Officers (BEOs), and other stakeholders to take immediate note of the revised timeline and ensure strict compliance. Officials have been asked to prioritise the matter and take necessary steps for its timely implementation across the state.
This development is expected to bring considerable relief to thousands of in-service teachers in Odisha who are yet to clear the TET examination, giving them additional time to meet the qualification norms while upholding standards in elementary education.