Tamil Nadu Government to Conduct Three Special TET Exams in 2026; Class 11 Public Exam Scrapped

The Tamil Nadu government has announced three special Teachers’ Eligibility Tests (TET) in 2026, a move aimed at ensuring compliance with the Supreme Court directive that all teachers handling Classes 1 to 8 must qualify the TET to continue in service. This announcement also comes alongside a major change in the state’s secondary education evaluation system, with the Class 11 public examination being scrapped starting this academic year.

Supreme Court Directives and TET Requirement

The Supreme Court had ruled that all serving teachers must clear the TET within two years to remain in service. Teachers with less than five years left before retirement are exempted. The court further clarified that TET qualification is mandatory for promotions, and no exemptions would be granted.

In line with this directive, the Tamil Nadu School Education Department issued an official order on October 13, 2025, stating:

“Based on the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the Government of Tamil Nadu has decided to conduct special TET examinations for serving secondary grade and graduate teachers in January, July, and December 2026.”

Special TET Exam Schedule

The Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB) has been authorised to conduct these special exams. The key schedule is as follows:

• January 2026: First phase of TET (Paper I and II) on January 24 and 25.
• July 2026: Notification and exam dates to be released later.
• December 2026: Notification and exam dates to be released later.

The TRB is also instructed to ensure a smooth conduct of all three examinations and may consider additional rounds in 2027 based on the number of teachers still unqualified.

Teachers Affected and Preparatory Measures

According to data shared by the department, over 1.7 lakh teachers in government schools are yet to qualify the TET. The ruling also affects teachers working in private schools who handle Classes 1 to 8.

To facilitate successful completion, the department has directed District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) to organize special coaching sessions for teachers appearing for the upcoming tests.

A senior education department official stated:

“The TRB has been instructed to ensure smooth conduct of all three special TETs in 2026 and to consider holding additional rounds in 2027 based on the number of teachers who remain unqualified.”

This ensures that teachers are adequately prepared and that the Supreme Court’s mandate is implemented effectively across the state.

Historical Context of TET in Tamil Nadu

Since its inception in 2012, Tamil Nadu has conducted six TET examinations, with 37.28 lakh candidates appearing in total. Out of these, only about 1.68 lakh candidates (4.5%) have successfully cleared the test. This low pass rate underscores the importance of the upcoming special TETs in 2026 and the government’s proactive approach in addressing this challenge.

Class 11 Public Exam Scrapped

In a significant policy shift, the Tamil Nadu government has also cancelled the Class 11 public examination starting this academic year. Introduced in 2018, the Class 11 exam aimed to ensure that schools covered the complete syllabus before Class 12. However, the government, under the State Education Policy, has now decided to replace public exams with internal assessments conducted by schools.

The move is aimed at:

• Reducing academic stress on students.
• Encouraging holistic learning and continuous assessment.
• Ensuring that students are better prepared for Class 12 without the pressure of an additional public examination.

This change marks a shift towards student-centric evaluation and reflects Tamil Nadu’s commitment to improving the overall quality of secondary education.

Review Petition Filed by the Government

The state government has also filed a review petition in the Supreme Court seeking clarification on certain aspects of the TET ruling, including its retrospective application. This is to ensure that teachers and institutions have clear guidelines on implementation and that the mandate is applied fairly across all affected teachers.

Implications for Teachers and Students

The 2026 special TETs will have a direct impact on over 1.7 lakh teachers, ensuring that all educators meet the required professional standards. By enforcing TET qualification, the government aims to:

• Enhance teaching quality in government and aided schools.
• Ensure professional accountability among teachers.
• Provide a clear pathway for promotions and career advancement.

Meanwhile, the scrapping of the Class 11 public exam benefits students directly, reducing examination stress and promoting continuous internal assessment, a method considered more effective for holistic learning.

Conclusion

The Tamil Nadu government’s announcements regarding the special TET exams and Class 11 assessment reforms demonstrate a comprehensive approach to education reform in the state. While the special TETs aim to enhance teacher competency and compliance with the Supreme Court mandate, the new assessment method for Class 11 reflects a progressive shift toward reducing student stress and promoting holistic learning.