Madhya Pradesh HC orders govt to decide within 60 days on TET exemption for 1997-99 teachers

The Madhya Pradesh High Court issued a directive ordering the state government to deliver a decision on the request for exemption from the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) by teachers hired between 1997 and 1999. The court gave the administration a 60‑day window to consider the petition and issue a ruling. The exemption demand stems from the belief that teachers appointed before the mandatory TET rollout should not be required to clear the test retroactively. The bench emphasized that any decision must be communicated in writing to the petitioners and recorded in the official court register. The order comes as the education department prepares for upcoming promotion cycles, where the exemption status could affect eligibility for advancement.

The petition was filed by a group of senior teachers who argue that the TET requirement, introduced after their appointment, should not be applied to them. They seek clarification to avoid uncertainty during the next round of promotions. The High Court’s intervention underscores the judiciary’s role in resolving administrative disputes affecting the teaching cadre.

If the government complies within the stipulated period, the exemption could be formalised, potentially influencing promotion criteria across the state’s public schools. Conversely, a denial would require the affected teachers to appear for the TET to retain eligibility for career progression.