Kohima, 18th August 2026 (Nokinketer News): The Directorate of School Education (DoSE) has issued a notification making it mandatory for all eligible in-service Primary and Graduate Teachers to qualify the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), in compliance with the Supreme Court’s judgment dated May 29, 2026, in Civil Appeal No. 1385/2025, State of Uttar Pradesh vs. Anjuman Ishaat-e-Taleem Trust & Others, and the directives of the Government of Nagaland issued on July 29, 2026.

According to the notification, all categories of Primary and Graduate Teachers appointed before the enactment of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, and who had more than five years of service remaining as of September 1, 2025, must qualify the TET on or before August 31, 2028.

The DoSE stated that teachers who fail to clear the TET within the stipulated period will be compulsorily retired and paid the terminal benefits to which they are entitled, subject to fulfillment of the prescribed qualifying service under the relevant rules. In cases where there is a deficiency in qualifying service, the matter may be considered by the competent authority upon representation by the concerned teacher.

The notification further clarified that the same requirement will apply to all categories of in-service Primary and Graduate Teachers appointed after the enactment of the RTE Act, 2009.

However, teachers who had less than five years of service remaining as of September 1, 2025, will be allowed to continue in service until they attain the age of superannuation without qualifying the TET. Such teachers, however, will not be eligible for promotion unless they have successfully qualified the TET.

The DoSE also stated that all candidates aspiring for appointment as Primary or Graduate Teachers, as well as in-service teachers seeking promotion, must qualify the TET. Failure to do so will render them ineligible for consideration for appointment or promotion.

The notification applies to all categories of schools defined under Section 2(n) of the RTE Act, 2009, except schools established and administered by religious or linguistic minorities.

The Directorate noted that the applicability of these directions to minority educational institutions will depend on the outcome of pending proceedings before the Supreme Court of India and any further orders issued by the Court.

The notification has come into force with immediate effect.

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