Thousands of teachers in the state have been dealt a blow by the Supreme Court regarding promotions. Following the Supreme Court’s decision mandating the Teacher Eligibility Test for teachers, teacher promotions in Uttarakhand have been halted. The matter involves over 18,000 teachers in basic and junior high schools. The state government has decided to file a review petition in the Supreme Court.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, District Education Officers in Uttarakhand sought guidance from the Directorate of Education on whether to promote teachers. The Directorate of Education has directed all District Education Officers to inform teachers of the Supreme Court’s order and the state government’s decision.
Director of Elementary Education Ajay Kumar Nautiyal stated that District Education Officers from Chamoli, Tehri Garhwal, and Champawat have requested guidance regarding teacher promotions through various letters. The District Education Officers also reported that teachers in some districts are staging protests and demonstrations demanding promotions.
The Director of Education stated that these teachers should be informed that the Supreme Court has mandated the TET for all teachers by September 1, 2025, and directed necessary action. The state government has decided to file a review petition on this Supreme Court decision. The process for filing the review petition is underway.
This is the Supreme Court’s decision on the mandatory TET requirement.
The Supreme Court’s order, issued on September 1, 2025, mandated that all teachers with more than five years of service remaining must pass the TET exam within two years. This order covers both existing and new teachers. TET has also been made mandatory for teacher promotion.
This rule regarding TET and promotion should not apply to teachers appointed before 2010-11 in the state. TET was not implemented then; teachers were legally appointed according to the system in place at that time. Promotions should not be stopped until the final decision is received from the Supreme Court
