The Tamil Nadu School Education Department has announced that three special Teachers’ Eligibility Tests (TET) will be conducted in January, July, and December 2026. This follows the Supreme Court’s directive making TET mandatory for all teachers handling Classes 1 to 8 in government and government-aided schools. Teachers are required to clear the examination to retain their posts and qualify for promotions.
Government Order and Exam Schedule
A government order issued on 13 October 2025 authorises the Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB) to conduct the examinations and release notifications. The first notification is expected by the last week of November 2025, with the initial phase of the exams (Paper I and II) tentatively scheduled for 24 and 25 January 2026. Notifications for the July and December sessions will follow later in the year.
Supreme Court Directive and Eligibility Rules
The Supreme Court has mandated that all teachers must clear the TET within two years, with exemptions only for those having less than five years of service remaining before retirement. Clearing the TET is also a prerequisite for promotions, and no exemptions will be permitted under any circumstances.
Teacher Statistics and Support Measures
According to the department’s data, over 1.7 lakh government school teachers have yet to qualify. Teachers in private institutions are also impacted by the ruling. To assist candidates, District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) will conduct special coaching sessions in preparation for the examinations. The TRB has been instructed to ensure the smooth conduct of all three TETs and may consider additional rounds in 2027 based on requirements.
Review Petition Filed by the State Government
The Tamil Nadu government has submitted a review petition to the Supreme Court seeking clarification on certain elements of the ruling, particularly concerning its retrospective application.
Class 11 Public Examination Cancelled
In a major education policy shift, the Tamil Nadu government has cancelled the Class 11 public examination starting this academic year. The move, introduced under the State Education Policy, aims to reduce academic stress among students. Instead of public examinations, schools will now conduct internal assessments, marking a significant change in the state’s secondary education evaluation framework.
