Patna: The Bihar Education Department has issued a significant directive affecting contractual teachers serving in government schools across the state. Under the new order, teachers who completed professional training during the 2015-17 and 2017-18 academic sessions will become eligible for the trained teacher pay scale only after passing the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET).
The decision is expected to affect thousands of teachers and has triggered strong reactions among teacher associations across Bihar.
TET Made Mandatory for Salary Benefits
According to the Education Department, completing D.El.Ed. (Diploma in Elementary Education) or any other recognised training programme alone will no longer qualify teachers for the trained pay scale.
The department has clarified that passing the TET examination is now a compulsory condition for receiving enhanced salary benefits associated with trained teacher status.
An official order regarding the decision has been issued by Vikram Virkar, Director of Primary Education. District Education Officers and other concerned officials have been directed to ensure strict implementation of the order.
Decision Linked to Supreme Court Judgment
The directive follows a Supreme Court judgment delivered on January 16, 2026, in the case State Government and Others vs Manoj Kumar and Others.
According to departmental sources, the state government revised its policy in compliance with the court’s ruling, making TET qualification mandatory for contractual teachers seeking trained pay scale benefits.
Benefits Effective Only After TET Qualification
Under the new guidelines, teachers trained during the 2015-17 and 2017-18 sessions will receive the trained pay scale from the date of their regularisation only if they successfully clear the TET examination.
The order effectively ends the earlier practice under which some teachers sought pay scale benefits solely on the basis of completing professional training courses.
Officials in the Education Department said the move is aimed at strengthening academic standards and ensuring that teachers meet minimum eligibility benchmarks.
Focus on Educational Standards
The department has maintained that qualified and competent teachers are essential for improving the quality of education in government schools.
Officials described the TET examination as an important mechanism for assessing the teaching aptitude and foundational competence of educators. Linking salary benefits to TET qualification, the department said, is intended to encourage higher professional standards within the education system.
Teacher Associations Raise Concerns
The order has led to growing dissatisfaction among several teacher associations in Bihar.
Representatives of appointed teachers’ organisations have objected to the decision, arguing that imposing an additional eligibility condition on teachers already serving for several years is unfair.
Many affected teachers have also expressed concern over the impact the new rule could have on their financial and professional prospects.
Thousands Likely to Be Affected
The decision is likely to impact a large number of contractual teachers across Bihar, particularly those who completed training but have not yet qualified the TET examination.
The Education Department has instructed officials to ensure timely implementation of the order to avoid future legal or administrative disputes.
