Two Lakh Teachers to March to Delhi Against Mandatory TET, Uttar Pradesh to Lead the Protest

Two Lakh Teachers to March to Delhi Against Mandatory TET, Uttar Pradesh to Lead the Protest

New Delhi, November 11:

A massive protest is in the making as nearly two lakh teachers from across India are preparing to march to Delhi on December 5, 2025, against the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) requirement recently reinforced by court orders and government notifications.

According to reports, Uttar Pradesh will send the largest contingent, with nearly one lakh teachers expected to participate in the rally. The demonstration aims to draw the attention of the Central Government and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) toward what teachers call an “unfair and retroactive rule” that endangers the jobs of thousands of educators.

Background of the Protest

The issue stems from a recent directive that makes TET compulsory even for in-service teachers appointed before 2011, when TET was not part of recruitment criteria. Teachers argue that applying the rule retrospectively is unjust and impractical, as many of them have decades of experience and were recruited through proper government selection processes.

Teachers’ Demands

1. Exemption from TET for teachers appointed before the test was introduced.

2. Recognition of experience and qualifications that were valid at the time of their appointment.

3. Withdrawal or amendment of the Supreme Court order making TET mandatory for all teachers.

4. Job security for teachers nearing retirement who may not be able to re-qualify under new norms.

Organising Bodies

The protest is being coordinated by state and national teachers’ unions, including the Uttar Pradesh Primary Teachers’ Association. The union’s leaders, Dr. Dinesh Chandra Sharma and Sanjay Singh, have confirmed that the rally will showcase unity among teachers nationwide. Teachers from more than 14 states under the Teachers Federation of India (TFI) are expected to join the movement.

Government Response

In response, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the Basic Education Department to file a review petition against the Supreme Court’s ruling. The state government has maintained that enforcing TET for already-appointed teachers is “unreasonable” and that their experience and service record should be considered sufficient.

Impact and Outlook

If the current TET rule is enforced, thousands of teachers across India — especially those appointed before 2011 — could face the risk of termination or demotion. The December 5 march in Delhi is expected to be one of the largest teacher mobilisations in recent years, symbolising the collective demand for justice and recognition of long-serving educators.

“We are not against TET, but its retrospective imposition is unacceptable,” said a teacher leader from Lucknow. “The government must protect the dignity and livelihood of those who have dedicated their lives to teaching.”

The teachers’ march will coincide with the upcoming Parliament session, giving the protest national visibility and increasing pressure on the government to address the long-standing demand.