The Kerala government has announced that it will file a review petition in the Supreme Court challenging the retrospective application of the mandatory Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test (K-TET) order, a move that could affect thousands of teachers and aspirants across the state.
The decision comes after the apex court had directed that passing the K-TET is compulsory for eligibility in teacher recruitment, including candidates who had already applied for or cleared prior selection rounds. Officials in Kerala argue that enforcing the order retroactively imposes undue hardship and could invalidate the careers of several educators.
A senior education department official said, “We respect the Supreme Court’s authority, but we believe that the retrospective application of K-TET eligibility is unfair. The review petition seeks to ensure that candidates who were already in the process of selection are not penalized.”
The mandatory K-TET rule was introduced to standardize teacher qualifications and ensure quality education in government schools. While prospective candidates must pass the examination, the retrospective clause has generated concern among teachers who completed prior recruitment processes without this requirement.
The Kerala government’s move is being closely monitored by teacher unions, who have welcomed the review petition, claiming that the order affects thousands of aspirants who had invested time and resources based on earlier eligibility rules. The unions have indicated that they may seek interim relief if necessary.
Education experts note that the review petition could set an important precedent for the implementation of eligibility tests across India, particularly in cases where rules are applied retrospectively. Legal analysts also suggest that the Supreme Court may examine the balance between policy objectives and fairness to existing candidates.
The review petition is expected to be filed in the coming days, and the state has urged the court to consider the socio-economic implications of the order. Meanwhile, the K-TET process continues for fresh aspirants, with the government emphasizing transparency and adherence to statutory guidelines.
As the case develops, candidates and educators across Kerala are watching closely, hoping for clarity on how the mandatory K-TET will affect both current and future teacher recruitment.
