Staff Reporter.TOD. Balurghat
The Dakshin Dinajpur district unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh (ABRSM) has appealed to the Union Minister of State for Education, Dr.Sukanta Majumdar, seeking legislative and policy protection for teachers appointed before the implementation of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) framework.
In a memorandum dated June 30, 2026, the organization expressed concern over the implications of a recent Supreme Court judgment delivered on May 29, 2026. According to the memorandum, the ruling has created uncertainty for teachers appointed before the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) notification of August 23, 2010, which introduced TET as a qualification for elementary school teachers.ABRSM argued that teachers appointed prior to the enforcement of the TET regulations were recognized as qualified under the legal framework that existed at the time of their recruitment. It contended that applying the TET requirement to these teachers retrospectively could affect their service security, promotional opportunities, and other employment benefits.
The memorandum also noted that the implementation of the Right to Education Act and TET regulations varied across states, with different dates of enforcement based on state government notifications. In West Bengal, the organization stated, TET enforcement began following the August 23, 2010 notification, while subsequent administrative measures established cut-off dates for new appointments.
Seeking government intervention, ABRSM urged the Centre to ensure that any implementation of the Supreme Court's judgment is prospective rather than retrospective. The organization requested that teachers appointed before the first TET enforcement notification in their respective states continue to enjoy the legal protections and exemptions that existed at the time of their appointment.
Among its key demands are a permanent exemption from the mandatory TET requirement for teachers appointed before August 23, 2010, protection of their service benefits—including seniority and promotions—and, if necessary, legislative amendments or special provisions to safeguard their rights. The memorandum also called for clear directions to all states and Union Territories to prevent confusion and ensure uniform implementation.
ABRSM stated that its appeal seeks to balance the objective of maintaining educational standards with protecting the legitimate expectations and service rights of teachers who entered the profession under earlier legal provisions. The organization expressed hope that the Union Government would take appropriate legislative or administrative measures to address the concerns raised by affected teachers across the country.
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