UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC will hear pleas against verdict on Teachers’ Eligibility Test on May 13

Q1. Which one of the following best describes the Teachers' Eligibility Test (TET) referred to in the recent Supreme Court verdict on in-service teachers?

  • A. A pre-service academic degree, equivalent to a B.Ed., awarded by universities recognised by the University Grants Commission.
  • B. A minimum qualifying examination conducted by the appropriate Government, prescribed by the National Council for Teacher Education under Section 23(1) of the RTE Act, 2009 as an essential qualification for appointment as a teacher for Classes I–VIII.
  • C. A recruitment-cum-promotion examination conducted exclusively by the Union Public Service Commission for centrally administered schools.
  • D. A periodic in-service performance appraisal mandated by the Ministry of Education for evaluating every schoolteacher once in five years.

Q2. With reference to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which one of the following is the principal statutory authority empowered to lay down the minimum qualifications for a person to be eligible for appointment as a teacher?

  • A. Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
  • B. National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
  • C. National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)
  • D. University Grants Commission (UGC)

Q3. With reference to the Supreme Court's original judgment of 1 September 2025 on Teachers' Eligibility Test (TET) and its subsequent disposal of the review petitions in May 2026, consider the following statements: 1. The September 2025 judgment required in-service teachers in non-minority schools teaching Classes 1–8 to qualify the TET within two years, failing which they would be ineligible to continue in service. 2. In the review proceedings, the Supreme Court invoked Article 142 of the Constitution to extend the compliance deadline for such in-service teachers up to 31 August 2028. 3. In the review verdict, the Supreme Court exempted all teachers who had been appointed prior to the commencement of the RTE Act, 2009 from the requirement of qualifying the TET. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The September 2025 judgment required in-service teachers in non-minority schools teaching Classes 1–8 to qualify the TET within two years, failing which they would be ineligible to continue in service.
  2. In the review proceedings, the Supreme Court invoked Article 142 of the Constitution to extend the compliance deadline for such in-service teachers up to 31 August 2028.
  3. In the review verdict, the Supreme Court exempted all teachers who had been appointed prior to the commencement of the RTE Act, 2009 from the requirement of qualifying the TET.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. With reference to the constitutional and statutory framework underpinning the Supreme Court's verdict on the mandatory Teachers' Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers, consider the following: 1. Article 21A of the Constitution — guarantees the right to free and compulsory education to all children of the age of 6 to 14 years. 2. Section 23 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 — deals with minimum qualifications for appointment as a teacher. 3. National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993 — constitutes the NCTE as the statutory body for regulating norms and standards in teacher education. 4. Article 350A of the Constitution — empowers the Union Government to prescribe uniform service conditions for all schoolteachers in India. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Article 21A of the Constitution — guarantees the right to free and compulsory education to all children of the age of 6 to 14 years.
  2. Section 23 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 — deals with minimum qualifications for appointment as a teacher.
  3. National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993 — constitutes the NCTE as the statutory body for regulating norms and standards in teacher education.
  4. Article 350A of the Constitution — empowers the Union Government to prescribe uniform service conditions for all schoolteachers in India.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. According to media reports on the Supreme Court's hearing of review petitions against the Teachers' Eligibility Test (TET) verdict, approximately how many in-service teachers across India are estimated to be directly affected by the judgment?

  • A. About 5 lakh
  • B. About 10 lakh
  • C. About 25 lakh
  • D. About 50 lakh