Patna: The Bihar Education Department has made it mandatory for contractual teachers to pass the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) in order to receive the benefits of the trained pay scale, even if they have completed professional training courses such as D.El.Ed.
The directive applies to teachers who underwent training during the 2015-17 and 2017-18 academic sessions and are currently serving in government schools across the state.
The department said trained pay scale benefits would be granted only from the date of regularisation and only after a teacher qualifies the TET examination.
Order Issued By Primary Education Directorate
The directive was issued by Vikram Virkar, Director of Primary Education, who instructed District Education Officers and other officials to ensure strict implementation of the order.
According to the Education Department, training qualifications alone will no longer be sufficient to claim the trained pay scale.
Officials said the move is intended to align teacher appointments and salary benefits with eligibility standards prescribed under existing recruitment norms.
Supreme Court Judgment Cited
The department linked the decision to a Supreme Court judgment delivered on January 16, 2026, in the case State Government & Others vs Manoj Kumar & Others.
Officials said the new order was issued in compliance with the court’s ruling, which addressed eligibility conditions related to trained pay scale benefits for appointed teachers.
TET Qualification Now Central To Salary Benefits
Under the revised policy, teachers who completed recognised training programmes but have not passed the TET will not be eligible for enhanced salary benefits associated with the trained pay scale.
The department said the TET serves as a benchmark for assessing the professional competency and eligibility of teachers.
Education officials maintained that linking salary benefits to TET qualification would help improve teaching standards in government schools.
Teacher Organisations Raise Concerns
The decision has triggered concern among several teacher organisations in Bihar.
Some associations representing appointed teachers argued that imposing an additional eligibility condition on teachers already in service is unfair.
Teachers’ groups said many educators completed their professional training years ago and have continued serving in schools without previously being required to clear the TET for trained pay scale benefits.
Thousands Likely To Be Affected
The order is expected to affect thousands of contractual teachers across Bihar, particularly those who have completed training but are yet to qualify the TET examination.
The Education Department has directed officials to implement the order without delay to avoid future legal or administrative disputes.
