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

Petition and Its Advocates

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, denying the request.

Contentions Raised by the Petitioners

Lengthy Service Record

Counsel Jain Abbas, representing the aggrieved Shikshamitras, highlighted that many of them have been teaching in basic‑education schools for more than 26 years. Their responsibilities, he argued, go beyond classroom instruction to include election‑related duties, census activities, vote tabulation, school administration, examination supervision, and departmental training programmes.

Exclusion from the Special TET

The petitioners maintained that despite their extensive experience and the training received, they were barred from the Special TET – a test that regular in‑service teachers and special educators were allowed to attempt. They contended that clearing the exam is crucial for safeguarding their teaching positions, especially after the Supreme Court’s order mandating a TET for all educators.

Court’s Assessment

Objective of the Special TET

The bench observed that the Special TET was introduced as a transitional measure for particular categories of in‑service teachers who fell under the TET requirement after their appointment. It is not a universal entitlement for every teacher eligible for the regular TET.

While the court recognized that Shikshamitras are eligible to appear for the ordinary TET, it held that this eligibility does not automatically translate into a right to sit for the Special TET.

Final Judgment

Taking into account the statutory framework and the limited scope of the Special TET, Justice Chauhan dismissed the petition, thereby refusing to extend Special TET 2026 eligibility to the 221 Shikshamitras.

Consequently, the petition filed by Wasim Ahmed and his colleagues was dismissed by the Allahabad High Court.