The All Jharkhand Primary Teachers' Association has called for a legislative resolution against the Supreme Court’s TET mandate and will commence an indefinite hunger strike from October 22. The move challenges the retroactive application of the Teacher Eligibility Test for teachers appointed before the 2009 Right to Education Act.

  • Over 25,000 Jharkhand teachers face potential job loss due to the TET order.
  • The association seeks a state resolution and a parliamentary response.
  • Indefinite hunger strike scheduled to begin on October 22.

The All Jharkhand Primary Teachers' Association has demanded that the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly pass a resolution against the Supreme Court’s order making the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) mandatory for teachers appointed before the Right to Education Act (RTE) of 2009. The association also announced an indefinite hunger strike starting October 22.

Background

On September 1, 2025, the Supreme Court issued a ruling requiring teachers in service as of March 2015 to clear the TET within two years, with the original deadline set for August 2027 and later extended to August 2028. This directive affects roughly 2.5 million teachers nationwide, including about 25,000 government teachers in Jharkhand.

Read Also:AEW Redemption results, grades, takeaways: Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, Willow Nightingale set the stage for All In

Why Teachers Are Opposing the Order

Teacher bodies argue that the TET requirement should not apply retrospectively to those appointed before the RTE Act. The Teachers' Federation of India (TFI) maintains that the 2010 NCTE notification, which introduced TET as a minimum qualification, had a prospective effect and exempted pre‑appointment teachers from the new standard.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis indicates that this strike could destabilize the education sector and has broader implications for educational reform in India. Failure to address the retroactive nature of the TET could lead to mass job losses and hinder promotion prospects for seasoned educators.

"The decision could have a profound impact on teachers’ professional rights, and without proper consultation, it may also affect educational quality," - Prof. Radha Krishna, Education Policy Specialist.
Did You Know?: The TET was first mandated nationally in 2009, but it was only made compulsory for new hires in 2010.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can teachers be terminated for failing to clear TET?
  2. What steps is the Jharkhand government taking on this issue?