K-TET Qualification: Kerala moves Supreme Court seeking relief for teachers, opposes immediate dismissal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has approached the Supreme Court seeking relief for teachers appointed between August 23, 2010, and September 1, 2025, over the mandatory Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test (K-TET) qualification. In its petition, the state has urged the court not to dismiss teachers who fail to clear the examination within the stipulated period. The petition was filed on behalf of the state by advocate P.S. Sulfeekhar Ali, following instructions from the Advocate General.

The government has sought an additional year for teachers who entered service between August 23, 2010, and September 1, 2025, and have continued in service, to acquire the mandatory K-TET qualification. It has also requested that teachers who fail to obtain the qualification within the stipulated period be allowed compulsory retirement instead of being dismissed from service.

The Supreme Court had earlier dismissed a review petition concerning the K-TET qualification requirement. The court had subsequently granted teachers one year to acquire the required qualification. The state has now approached the court again, seeking further modifications and clarification of the earlier order.

The Kerala government has cited a similar case involving teachers in Jammu and Kashmir, in which the Supreme Court granted certain concessions. Referring to that order, the state has sought similar relief for teachers in Kerala. The petition also points out that implementing the existing K-TET order without any modifications could create a serious crisis in the state's education sector and affect thousands of teachers.