Acquisition of Mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test Qualification Merits Reconsideration of Service Benefits by Department

The State (Appellants) filed a writ appeal challenging a previous order dated 13.11.2024 passed in W.P. No. 5180 of 2020.

The primary ground for the appeal was that the 1st Respondent, a Secondary Grade Teacher at A.N.M. Middle School, had not passed the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), which is a mandatory qualification for appointment, promotion, and the grant of increments.

During the pendency of the appeal, it was submitted that the 1st Respondent successfully passed the TET on 15.11.2025.

1. Whether the 1st Respondent is entitled to service benefits and increments following her successful qualification in the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET).

2. Whether the writ appeal filed by the State should be maintained given the subsequent change in the respondent's qualification status.

The court's decision is governed by the statutory requirement of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) as a mandatory qualification for teachers in elementary education, as stipulated by relevant Government Orders and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act.

Administrative reconsiderations must be aligned with "Government Orders in force" regarding the eligibility and settlement of service benefits for qualified candidates.

The court noted that the original bone of contention—the lack of TET qualification—was resolved as the 1st Respondent cleared the examination on 15.11.2025.

The Government Counsel acknowledged this development and stated that the department would reconsider her case and pass appropriate orders on merits.

Since the 1st Respondent's counsel expressed no objection to this course of action, the court determined that the dispute could be settled by directing the department to process the respondent's benefits in light of her current qualified status and the prevailing Government Orders.

The court ordered that further benefits are to be settled in favor of the 1st Respondent based on the forthcoming orders of the department; No costs were awarded, and the connected miscellaneous petition was closed.