Summary
The Kerala government has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against the mandatory implementation of the Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test (K-TET) for teacher appointments and promotions. Minister V Sivankutty highlighted concerns about the impact on thousands of teachers, especially those who joined before K-TET's introduction. Meanwhile, the government has temporarily frozen the K-TET implementation pending further orders.
Kerala Challenges Supreme Court Verdict on K-TET
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has submitted a review petition to the Supreme Court, contesting its ruling that made the Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test (K-TET) compulsory for teacher recruitment and promotions. State General Education and Labour Minister V Sivankutty announced this development on Saturday.
The petition requests the court to reconsider the judgment, emphasizing the unique aspects of Kerala's education system and the practical challenges faced by teachers.
Government's Concerns and Requests
Minister Sivankutty pointed out that implementing the verdict could jeopardize the jobs of nearly 50,000 teachers in Kerala. He stressed the government's responsibility to protect educators who have dedicated years of service.
Kerala has historically excelled in literacy and educational standards even before K-TET was introduced in 2012. Therefore, the claim that teachers without this eligibility test are unqualified does not align with the state's context.
The government has requested that teachers who joined before March 31, 2012, be exempted from the K-TET requirement and allowed to continue their service until retirement. Additionally, the petition seeks permanent exemption for teachers holding advanced qualifications such as NET, SET, and PhD. It also urges that K-TET should not hinder promotions for current teachers.
Sivankutty emphasized that the existing verdict overlooks principles of natural justice for teachers appointed before the 2010 notification by the National Council for Teacher Education.
Temporary Freeze on K-TET Implementation
On the same day, the Kerala government announced a freeze on its earlier order mandating K-TET for appointments and promotions in government and aided schools. According to the new guidelines, candidates who have cleared either Kerala Teachers' Eligibility Test Category I or II remain eligible for Lower Primary and Upper Primary teaching positions.
The minister stated that the implementation of the January 1, 2026, order will be suspended until further notice.
This decision follows recent Supreme Court judgments dated August 7, 2023, and September 1, 2025, regarding the mandatory nature of eligibility tests. The government sought clarification from the Director of General Education and carefully reviewed the matter before issuing revised norms.
Looking Ahead: Government's Commitment to Teachers
Minister Sivankutty reaffirmed the government's dedication to addressing teachers' concerns while upholding the quality of public education in Kerala. He expressed hope that the review petition will lead to a favorable outcome for teachers.
