Bhubaneswar: The Odisha School and Mass Education Department has directed authorities across the state to implement a recent Supreme Court order extending the deadline for in-service teachers to obtain the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) qualification by one year.

In a letter issued by Additional Secretary Jadumani Mahala, the department informed the Director of Elementary Education that the apex court, while hearing review petitions in the case of State of Uttar Pradesh vs. Anjuman Ishaat-E-Taleem Trust & Others, revised its earlier directions and granted additional time for in-service teachers to qualify for the TET.

Under the modified order, the period available for serving teachers to acquire the qualification has been increased from two years to three years. Consequently, the deadline for obtaining the mandatory TET qualification has been extended from August 31, 2027, to August 31, 2028.

The department has instructed all District Education Officers (DEOs), Block Education Officers (BEOs), and other concerned stakeholders to take note of the revised timeline and ensure strict compliance with the Supreme Court's directions.