The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) is the minimum qualification for appointment as a teacher for Classes I to VIII in India. It is mandatory for teaching jobs in Indian government schools and is conducted by both the central and state governments.Wikipedia
TET is conducted to meet the objectives of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.Wikipedia
In November 2026 the Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Council issued guidance on using TET passes for promotion of council-school teachers to headteacher posts. This came after a decade without such promotions and after district Basic Education Officers asked for clarification.Hindustan
Teacher Eligibility Test (TET): quick facts
- Full form
- Teacher Eligibility Test
- Legal basis
- Notifications received by NCTE on 23 August 2010 and 29 July 2011 under Section 23(1) of the RTE Act
- Qualifying marks
- Candidates must score over 60% to pass
Key facts
| Full form | Teacher Eligibility TestHindustan |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Notifications received by NCTE on 23 August 2010 and 29 July 2011 under Section 23(1) of the RTE ActWikipedia |
| Qualifying marks | Candidates must score over 60% to passWikipedia |
| Validity | The TET certificate is valid for lifetimeWikipedia |
| UP guidance issuer | Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Council, in November 2026Hindustan |
| UP Special TET body | Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commissionenglish.hindusthansamachar.in |
Key features and how it works
- Eligibility: passing TET is the minimum qualification for appointment as a teacher for Classes I to VIII in government schools.Wikipedia
- Candidates with professional teaching qualifications, including the B.T.C (D.El.Ed), B.Ed and B.El.Ed, can take the test.Wikipedia
- Central TET (CTET) is run by CBSE. It is held in 20 Indian languages, has two papers (Paper 1 for Classes I to V, Paper 2 for Classes VI to VIII), and is held twice a year.Wikipedia
- In Uttar Pradesh, the UPTET is held by the Basic Education Board, with Paper I for primary level and Paper II for junior level teachers. Candidates may sit either or both.Wikipedia
- A primary assistant teacher who passes primary-level TET can be promoted to primary headteacher.Hindustan
- Teachers without TET who appear on district seniority lists have their posts kept reserved. Action on them follows through a committee after the Special TET result.Hindustan
Eligibility and rules
- Primary assistant teacher with primary-level TET: eligible for promotion to primary school headteacher, and to upper primary assistant teacher if also passed upper primary TET.Hindustan
- Upper primary assistant teacher with upper primary TET: eligible for promotion to upper primary headteacher.Hindustan
- Teachers without TET on the seniority list: posts are reserved, and they are not promoted until the Special TET result and committee action.Hindustan
Static GK
- National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE): a statutory body set up under the National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993, and formed in 1995; it lays down minimum qualifications for teachers and its secretariat is in the Department of Teacher Education and NCERT.Wikipedia
- Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act): enacted by Parliament on 4 August 2009, in force from 1 April 2010, gives free and compulsory education to children aged 6 to 14 under Article 21A.Wikipedia
- Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE): maintains the TET database and runs CTET for the central government.Wikipedia
- Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC): conducts the UP Special TET; its Chairman is Dr Prashant Kumar.english.hindusthansamachar.in
Comparison
TET comparison: CTET and UPTET
| Basis | TET (general, from the Wikipedia article) | CTET | UPTET |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conducting body | Central and state governments; CBSE keeps the TET database | CBSE | Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Board |
| Papers | Classes I to VIII | Paper 1 (Classes I to V), Paper 2 (Classes VI to VIII) | Paper I (primary), Paper II (junior) |
| Pass mark | Over 60% | Minimum 60% | Not stated in the source |
| Validity | Lifetime | Lifetime | Not stated in the source |
Achievements
Challenges
- Teachers without TET on seniority lists face delayed promotion, since their posts stay reserved until the Special TET result and committee action.Hindustan
- The UPTET has had paper-leak problems: the 2021 exam was cancelled and re-held in January 2022.Wikipedia
- CTET has very low qualification rates, between 1 and 14 percent in the exams held so far, which shows how demanding the test is.Wikipedia
Way forward
- Timely declaration of the Special TET result will shorten the wait for teachers whose posts are reserved.
- Clear and uniform district-level rules for seniority lists will reduce the need for repeated clarification from Basic Education Officers.
- Training and support for teachers who have not yet passed TET will help them qualify for promotion.
Timeline
13 November 2026
UP Basic Education Council secretary issued guidance on TET eligibility for headteacher promotions of council-school teachers, after a decade without such promotions.
Read the story12 November 2026
UP Basic Education Council secretary issues guidance on TET eligibility for headteacher promotions.Hindustan
3 November 2026
UP Special TET written exam held in two shifts in six divisional headquarters by UPESSC.english.hindusthansamachar.in
23 January 2022
UPTET re-examination held after the 2021 exam was cancelled.Wikipedia
28 November 2021
UPTET 2021 held in two shifts across 75 districts; later cancelled due to paper leak.Wikipedia
29 July 2011
NCTE notification on minimum qualifications to teach Classes I to VIII (second notification).Wikipedia
2011
Government of India introduces TET to improve teaching standards; in-service teachers were given two years to pass.Wikipedia
23 August 2010
NCTE notification stipulating minimum qualifications for teaching Classes I to VIII under the RTE Act.Wikipedia
Every new story on this subject is added here automatically.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum pass mark in TET?
Candidates must score over 60% to pass the Teacher Eligibility Test.Wikipedia
Is the TET certificate valid for life?
Yes, the TET certificate is valid for lifetime.Wikipedia
Who conducts the Special TET in Uttar Pradesh?
Q: Who conducts the Special TET in Uttar Pradesh? A: The Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission.english.hindusthansamachar.in
Can a teacher without TET be promoted to headteacher in UP?
No, a teacher without TET is not promoted for now; their post is kept reserved until the Special TET result and committee action.Hindustan
GS paper mapping
- GS-2Governance: Government policies and interventions for development in education
- GS-2Polity: Fundamental rights (Article 21A) and the RTE Act, 2009
- GS-2Governance: Statutory bodies (NCTE) and their roles
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages.
