Allahabad High Court Upholds Exclusion of Shiksha Mitras From Special TET

The Allahabad High Court held that excluding Shiksha Mitras from the Special Teacher Eligibility Test for specified in-service teachers does not violate Articles 14 and 16.

Background and legal issue

The Allahabad High Court held that excluding Shiksha Mitras from the Special Teacher Eligibility Test for specified in-service teachers does not violate Articles 14 and 16. Justice Manju Rani Chauhan found that teachers already serving when TET became mandatory form a legally distinct class because the qualification was imposed after their entry into regular service. The Special TET is a transitional compliance mechanism, not a new recruitment or promotional preference. Shiksha Mitras therefore cannot claim parity merely because they perform teaching-related functions. The Court dismissed the petition while leaving them free to compete in recruitment processes for which they satisfy the prescribed qualifications.

Legal significance

The legal effect is confined to the judgment, order or procedural development reported here. Allegations and submissions are not treated as established facts unless expressly decided.

What follows

The parties, authorities or court will proceed according to the operative position described above.