Bhubaneswar: The Odisha School and Mass Education Department has extended the deadline for in-service teachers to obtain the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) qualification by one year, providing additional time for eligible educators to meet the required standards.
Under the revised timeline, in-service teachers who are yet to acquire TET qualification must do so by August 31, 2028. The extension comes as part of the state’s compliance with recent judicial directives concerning teacher qualification requirements.
The decision follows a modification of an earlier judgment by the Supreme Court of India, which increased the period available to in-service teachers for obtaining TET qualification from two years to three years. In line with the court’s order, the Odisha government has revised its deadline to ensure affected teachers receive the additional time granted under the legal framework.
The TET qualification is a mandatory requirement designed to ensure that teachers possess the necessary aptitude, knowledge and professional competence to teach at the elementary level. It serves as an important benchmark for maintaining educational standards and improving the quality of classroom instruction.
Education department officials stated that the extension will benefit a large number of in-service teachers who are currently working toward fulfilling the qualification requirement. The additional time is expected to ease pressure on teachers while enabling them to complete the certification process without disrupting their professional responsibilities.
The move is also expected to help educational institutions maintain staffing continuity while ensuring compliance with national teacher qualification norms. Authorities have emphasized that teachers must utilize the extended period effectively and complete the TET qualification within the revised deadline.
The School and Mass Education Department is expected to issue detailed operational guidelines regarding the implementation of the extension and related compliance procedures.
The decision has been welcomed by many teachers and education stakeholders, who view the additional time as a practical measure that balances regulatory requirements with the realities faced by working educators.
With the deadline now extended until August 2028, the state aims to ensure that all eligible in-service teachers achieve the required qualifications while continuing to strengthen the quality of education across Odisha.
-OdishaAge
