Bhopal: Over 1 lakh teachers in Madhya Pradesh are staring at potential job loss after the state directorate of public instruction (DPI) made Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) compulsory for those with more than five years of service left.
Citing a Supreme Court order of Sept 1, 2025, the DPI in its order has directed all primary and middle school teachers recruited before promulgation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act in 2009 to clear the TET within two years to retain their positions. The test is scheduled for July-Aug this year.
Teachers failing the test face compulsory retirement, with terminal benefits provided only if they meet the qualifying service period under govt rules.
Those seeking promotions must also pass the TET.
“Insofar as in-service teachers recruited prior to enactment of the RTE Act and having more than five years to retire on superannuation are concerned, they shall be under an obligation to qualify the TET within two years from date in order to continue in service. If any of such teacher fails to qualify the TET within the time that we have allowed, they shall have to quit service. They may be compulsorily retired; and paid whatever terminal benefits they are entitled to,” the court said.
The MP Teachers’ Association has urged the state govt to file a review petition before implementing the court order. “We demand that the govt file a review petition. How can a teacher who has served 20 or 25 years — after joining through a proper recruitment test — be removed? The govt must strongly represent its position in court,” association president said.
DPI has ordered district education officers (DEOs) to notify all eligible teachers immediately, putting numerous jobs on the line amid widespread concern.
DEO Bhopal NK Ahirwar said, “I have recently received an order. Department has issued it citing a Supreme Court order. We are in touch with the higher authorities.”
