Prayagraj: In a significant policy shift, candidates from economically weaker section (EWS) will enjoy reservation-linked relaxation of 5% in marks for qualification in the Uttar Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test (UP-TET) 2026. The provision was introduced through guidelines issued on Mar 20 by Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission.As per new norms, candidates from the unreserved category must secure at least 90 out of 150 marks (60%) to be issued the eligibility certificate. Candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backward Class, EWS, dependents of freedom fighters, ex-servicemen and persons with disabilities, however, will qualify only with minimum of 82 marks (55%). The 5% relaxation places EWS candidates at par with other reserved categories for qualification.Officials noted that during the UP-TET held in 2021, EWS candidates did not receive such benefit, even though the EWS quota had already been implemented by Central govt in Jan 2019 and by UP govt in Feb 2019. Commission PRO Sanjay Kumar Singh said the relaxation had been granted after obtaining due approval from state govt.The move aligns with provisions of the National Council for Teacher Education TET guidelines (2011), which allow school managements—govt, local bodies, aided and unaided institutions—to extend relaxation in qualifying marks to reserved categories as per existing reservation policies. Education experts believe the step advances constitutional equity and social inclusion by extending parity to EWS aspirants in teacher eligibility.The Commission also clarified that candidates’ marks will be published on its official website after the examination.Separately, the commission made it clear that no requests for scrutiny, re-evaluation or rechecking of OMR answer sheets will be entertained. According to the panel’s PRO, evaluation is conducted through electronic scanning with multiple layers of verification, ensuring high degree of accuracy and leaving no scope for post-result review petitions.
