Telangana plans two special TETs for 27,000 in-service teachers

The Telangana School Education Department has proposed two special TETs for 27,000 in-service teachers yet to qualify, ahead of the Supreme Court deadline. While registrations for the June 2026 exam are underway, the government has ruled out offline mode.

Hyderabad: With 27,000 in-service teachers of the government and local body schools yet to qualify for the Telangana Teacher Eligibility Test (TG TET), the School Education department proposed to hold two special TETs this year.

These special TETs, which are only for in-service teachers, are in addition to the test scheduled this June. The department has recently sent a proposal to the State government, seeking permission to hold two special TETs.

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A notification for the TET June 2026 has already been released and registrations are underway. The tests will be conducted between June 15 and 30. Last year, the Supreme Court verdict mandated all teachers, except those with less than five years of service, clear the TET within two years to retain their jobs. Teachers with less than five years of service must pass the TET to become eligible for promotion.

The State has around 1.02 lakh teachers, out of which 57,000 were appointed without a TET qualification. About 30,000 teachers qualified for the test between June 2024 and January 2026. According to officials, around 27,000 in-service teachers still need to qualify before the Supreme Court’s deadline of August 31, 2027.

After the Supreme Court order, teachers’ unions raised serious concerns and demanded exemptions for in-service teachers. They submitted representations to Chief Minister A Revantha Reddy, Ministers, and officials, and even staged protests in Delhi to pressure the Central government. They also demanded a bill to be introduced in Parliament.

However, neither the Central and State governments have taken any decision on reducing qualifying marks or granting exemptions. Further, teacher unions also requested the State government to hold TET in the pen and paper mode instead of computer-based mode.

The government recently sought the opinion of the School Education department on the matter. However, a senior official stated that conducting the exam offline is not feasible and confirmed that it will be held online only. “The test cannot be conducted offline as there are several challenges, including question paper printing, safety and security. So, it will be conducted in the computer-based mode as is being done,” the senior official added.

The TET comprises two papers. The paper I is held for applicants to get teaching eligibility for Classes I to V, while paper II is for acquiring qualification to teach Classes VI to VIII.