Madhya Pradesh will allow teachers to appear for the upcoming Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) in offline mode, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Saturday during a state-level Teachers’ Day programme in Bhopal. The examination is being conducted following directions from the Supreme Court, with around 1.5 lakh in-service teachers expected to be covered by the process.

The announcement was made at the state-level Teacher Felicitation Ceremony held at the RCVP Noronha Academy of Administration and Management in Bhopal in the presence of Governor Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Yadav. The programme also recognised teachers for their contribution to school education. Recent reports confirm that the state has added an offline examination option alongside the online mode for TET 2026. 

Offline Option Added for TET

The decision to introduce an offline mode is significant for in-service teachers who may not be comfortable taking a computer-based examination.

The TET process follows a Supreme Court direction requiring certain teachers appointed during earlier recruitment periods to qualify through the eligibility test. The Madhya Pradesh government subsequently initiated the examination process through the state examination system.

The application deadline has also been extended to September 18, 2026, while candidates will reportedly be able to make corrections in their applications until September 20. 

Around 1.5 Lakh Teachers in Focus

The TET is expected to involve nearly 1.5 lakh teachers in Madhya Pradesh. The examination has become an important issue for in-service teachers following the Supreme Court's directions.

The addition of an offline option came after concerns were raised over conducting the examination exclusively online. Teacher associations had sought an alternative mode, particularly for teachers who were less familiar with computer-based testing. 

According to recent reporting, only around 2,500 of nearly 1.5 lakh eligible teachers had applied by September 3, prompting an extension of the application deadline.

CM Highlights Role of Teachers

Addressing the Teachers’ Day gathering, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said teachers play a central role in shaping students and society.

He said India's development prospects were drawing global attention and used the occasion to underline the importance of teachers in building the country's future. Yadav described teachers not merely as providers of academic knowledge but as guides who help students find direction in life.

The Chief Minister also praised teachers in government schools, saying their efforts were reflected in the performance of students in Madhya Pradesh Board examinations.

Government Schools' Performance Cited

Yadav said a significant share of students appearing in merit lists in Madhya Pradesh Board examinations come from government schools.

He presented this as an indication of the work being done by teachers in the state-run education system and said the government was continuing to introduce measures aimed at improving educational quality.

The Chief Minister said the decision to conduct TET in offline mode was part of efforts to address the interests of teachers while strengthening the state's education system.

33 Teachers to Receive State Awards

The Teachers’ Day ceremony also featured recognition for teachers selected for the State-Level Teacher Award 2026.

According to reports ahead of the ceremony, 33 government-school teachers were selected for the state-level honour, comprising 18 primary and 15 secondary teachers. Each awardee is to receive a citation, shawl, shriphal and a cash award of ₹25,000.

Two Madhya Pradesh teachers who received the National Teachers’ Award last year were also scheduled to receive special recognition during the programme. 

Focus on Education and Teacher Support

The TET announcement comes at a time when teacher recruitment and employment-related issues remain prominent in Madhya Pradesh. Teacher aspirants have also raised concerns over government teaching vacancies and recruitment opportunities in the state. 

For the immediate TET process, the introduction of an offline option gives eligible teachers another way to take the examination. With the application deadline extended to September 18, teachers who have yet to apply now have additional time to complete the process.

The government is expected to proceed with the examination while continuing efforts to improve the accessibility of the testing process for the large number of teachers covered by the Supreme Court-related requirement.