SED designates SSSA as Nodal Agency to hold Teachers Eligibility Test

Srinagar, Feb 24: In a latest development, the School Education Department (SED) has designated State School Standards Authority (SSSA)/JKBOSE as the nodal agency for holding Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for aspiring and in-service teachers.

As per the fresh order issued by Secretary SED, JKBOSE has been asked to take immediate necessary steps for operationalization of the TET examination framework in accordance with the Action Plan formulated in the meeting convened on October 30 of 2025.

“Develop and notify a detailed schedule for conduct of TET. Coordinate with NIC, School Education Department, Higher Education Department, Home Department, and other concerned authorities for logistical, technical and security arrangements,” the SED order reads.

JKBOSE has been asked to ensure alignment of syllabus and examination standards with the guidelines of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), with suitable contextual modifications.

“The Secretary JK BOSE/SSSA shall furnish a comprehensive Action Plan, including timelines and preparatory status, to the School Education Department within shortest possible time,” the order reads.

Government has ordered that online examination forms will be received through a software module developed by NIC and integrated with J&K BOSE’s website.

“Exam centers will be set up at district headquarters or twin capital cities (Srinagar and Jammu),” the order reads.

“Invigilation staff will comprise +2 lecturers of School Education Department and Assistant Professors of Higher Education Department with known integrity,” it reads.

As per the order, the Security measures will include Gazetted officers as observers, jammers, police assistance, and restrictions under section 163 of BNSS.

“The syllabus will be based on NCTE’s CTET syllabus with minor modifications to suit J&K’s curriculum plan and scheme of studies,” it reads.

As per the order, the examination process will be completed within the next two years, as directed by the Supreme Court.

The SED has issued the order reads after the matter was referred to the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, UT of J&K, for opinion.

“It is reiterated that those aspiring for appointment and those in-service teachers aspiring for appointment by promotion must, qualify the TET or else, they would have no right of consideration of their candidature,” the order reads.

The SED order reads that J&K government taking recourse to the SC judgment processed the case and accordingly a meeting was convened under the Chairmanship of the Worthy Chief Secretary, J&K, on October 30 of 2025, wherein after threadbare discussion on the issue, the chair directed the JKBOSE/ SSSA to take appropriate measures on priority and prepare actionable roadmap for conduct of the TET examination taking into account infrastructural and manpower requirement.

As already reported by this newspaper, the Supreme Court order applies to those teachers appointed before the law mandating the TET came into force.

A bench of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Manmohan in September 2025 delivered the verdict while hearing multiple civil appeals, including Anjuman Ishat-E-Talim Trust vs State of Maharashtra and Others, regarding the eligibility of teachers.

On July 29, 2011, the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) made the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) mandatory for appointments in classes 1 to 8.

The main issue before the Court was whether this requirement also applied to teachers appointed prior to the notification—both for continuation in service and for consideration in promotions.

The Supreme Court ordered that the teachers appointed prior to the TET mandate who have less than five years of service remaining until retirement may continue in their posts without clearing the exam.

However, they will not be eligible for promotion unless they qualify TET.

It has been ordered that in-service teachers before the mandate and having more than five years left until retirement should clear TET within two years or they will face compulsory retirement or termination, along with payment of retirement benefits.

Besides the in-service teachers, TET has been made mandatory for the aspiring teachers before applying for jobs in Classes 1 to 8.