Prayagraj – A single‑judge bench of the Allahabad High Court has turned down a petition filed by 221 Shikshamitras who sought the right to sit for the Special Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026.

Petition and Its Representatives

The application, led by Wasim Ahmed together with 220 fellow Shikshamitras, was heard before Justice Manju Rani Chauhan. After reserving judgment on 24 September, the court delivered its verdict, refusing the request.

Grounds Presented by the Petitioners

Lengthy Service Record

Advocate Jain Abbas, counsel for the petitioners, highlighted that many Shikshamitras have served in primary‑education schools for more than 26 years. Their responsibilities, he argued, go beyond classroom teaching to encompass election‑related duties, census work, vote‑counting, school administration, examination oversight, and departmental training programmes.

Lack of Access to the Special TET

The group contended that despite their extensive experience and the training they have undergone, they were barred from the Special TET – a test that other serving teachers and special educators were permitted to attempt. They maintained that clearing the exam is crucial for safeguarding their teaching positions, especially after the Supreme Court’s mandate that all teachers must possess a TET qualification.

The Court’s Analysis

Objective of the Special TET

The bench observed that the Special TET is intended as a transitional measure for specific categories of in‑service teachers who became subject to the TET requirement after their appointment. It is not a universal entitlement for every educator eligible for the regular TET.

While the court acknowledged that Shikshamitras are entitled to appear for the ordinary TET, it held that this eligibility does not automatically extend to the Special TET.

Conclusion

Taking into account the statutory framework and the narrow scope of the Special TET, Justice Chauhan dismissed the petition, thereby denying the 221 Shikshamitras the right to sit for Special TET 2026.

The petition filed by Wasim Ahmed and his colleagues was consequently dismissed by the Allahabad High Court.