Delhi school teachers call Supreme Court’s CTET mandate ‘arbitrary’; demand review petition

Now, the government school teachers in Delhi have sought a review petition against the Supreme Court order mandating the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) for in-service teachers, calling the direction “unlawful” and “unreasonable”. Several states have already decided to challenge the top court’s verdict.

Recently, the apex court made it compulsory for aspiring and in-service teachers aiming for promotions to qualify TET.

In a letter to Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta, government school teachers’ association highlighted the issues with the SC judgment, finding it unjust that the already assessed teachers have to undergo further scrutiny by clearing an exam just to continue in the same post.

GSTA argued that the recruitment Rules framed under Article 309 of the Constitution apply only at the stage of initial appointment. Once a teacher has been duly appointed, service conditions and promotions are regulated by departmental rules. “It is neither lawful nor reasonable to compel an already appointed teacher to clear an additional examination under subsequently framed rules merely to continue in the same post,” the teachers said on SC ruling.

Supreme Court’s TET order

Talking about psychological issues, the school teachers’ group remarked that teaching is a profession that requires complete dedication to students. Every teacher's competence is already assessed annually through academic results, inspections, and performance reviews. Compelling teachers to show their qualification again through CTET is “arbitrary” and imposes undue psychological pressure on a workforce that is already performing its duties with commitment, they argued.

The teachers further claimed that no other government service, whether judicial, administrative or otherwise, imposes such “retrospective obligations” on serving officers after their appointment. “Why then should teachers alone be subjected to this additional requirement?” GSTA asked and added that this raises a serious question of parity and fairness.

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Referring to a case in which the apex court recognised the hardship faced by in-service teachers and granted certain relaxations, following which the Bombay High Court also held that teachers who acquired CTET or TET after the statutory cut-off but before September 1, 2025 are entitled to continue in service, and those who have not yet qualified must be given two additional years, the school teachers asserted that the matter remains open for further consideration.

Taking the example of Delhi government’s appeal against the Supreme Court's order banning private vehicles older than 15 years and success in securing modifications, the school teachers’ body urged the government to file a review petition in the present matter.

“This will ensure that in-service teachers are not subjected to an unnecessary and arbitrary compulsion of CTET for continuation in service. We trust that you will take a positive step on this just and reasonable demand of the teaching community,” GSTA further said.