Anger is growing among teachers across Madhya Pradesh after the state government made it mandatory for teachers appointed before the implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act to pass the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET). Several teachers’ unions have strongly opposed the decision and warned of intensified protests if the government fails to reconsider the order.
More than 1.5 lakh teachers appointed after 1995 and their families—estimated at around 4.5 lakh people—are expected to be affected by the rule. Teachers’ organizations have urged the state government to file a review petition in the Supreme Court, arguing that their appointments were made according to the recruitment rules that were valid at the time.
Why Teachers Are Protesting the Mandatory TET Exam Order
The controversy began after the School Education Department issued instructions stating that teachers appointed before the implementation of the RTE Act 2009 must clear the TET exam to continue in service.
The Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI), Bhopal, directed divisional and district education officers to identify such teachers and ensure they appear for the examination.
Key points of the order include:
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Teachers with more than five years left before retirement must appear for the TET exam.
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They have a two-year deadline to clear the exam.
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Failure to pass the exam within the time limit may lead to removal from service.
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The proposed TET examination is likely to be held in July–August 2026.
The decision has triggered widespread concern among teachers who say they were recruited legally under earlier rules and should not be subjected to new eligibility criteria after decades of service.
Teachers’ Unions Seek Government Intervention
State Teachers’ Association Provincial President Jagdish Prasad Yadav said meetings will be held across all districts on March 15 to finalize the next course of action.
According to Yadav, the first step will be to request the Madhya Pradesh government to file a review petition in the Supreme Court.
He explained that after the central government implemented the Right to Education Act in 2009, Madhya Pradesh adopted the law in 2011. Recruitment processes conducted before that were based on the rules existing at that time.
He also pointed out that several states—including Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir—have already filed review petitions and secured relief in similar cases.
“If the government does not file a petition, teachers’ organizations themselves will approach the Supreme Court,” Yadav said.
Major Protest Planned in Bhopal on April 12
The State Teachers’ Union has announced a large protest in Bhopal on April 12.
Union President Bharat Patel said teachers will meet Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh to demand a review petition.
Patel questioned the fairness of the order, saying:
He added that unions have deliberately postponed protests until mid-March to avoid disturbing students during ongoing examinations.
Protests Likely to Intensify After March 15
Teachers’ groups say they do not want ongoing school examinations and student results to be affected. However, once exams conclude, protests may intensify across the state.
Union leaders warn that if the government fails to address their concerns, statewide demonstrations could escalate in April, potentially affecting the education system.
Conclusion
The dispute over the mandatory TET exam order in Madhya Pradesh has quickly turned into a major issue in the state’s education sector. With teachers demanding legal intervention and the government standing by the Supreme Court directive, the coming weeks could see heightened protests and possible court action.
