Last Updated:
Teachers are urging the Tamil Nadu govt to lower TET pass mark from 55% to 50%. The appeal comes as thousands of in-service teachers struggle to meet the current benchmark
Over 1 lakh in-service teachers took the 2025 TNTET exam.
The Tamil Nadu Graduate Teachers’ Association has urged the Tamil Nadu School Education Department to reduce the minimum qualifying marks for TET Paper 1 and Paper 2, held on November 15 and 16, 2025, from 55% to 50%.
In India, under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, secondary and graduate teachers must pass the Teacher Eligibility Test to be appointed. Tamil Nadu has been conducting the TET since 2012, and appointments continue based on this requirement. For the 150-mark examination, general category candidates must score 90 marks, while candidates from backward, most backward and scheduled communities must secure 82 marks.
Following the Supreme Court’s directive that teachers appointed before the implementation of the Right to Education Act (2009) must also pass the TET, the qualification has become essential for all in-service teachers.
In its statement, the organisation noted that the Tamil Nadu Teacher Eligibility Test 2025 (Paper 1 and Paper 2) was successfully conducted across the state, with more than 3.75 lakh candidates appearing. Notably, over one lakh in-service teachers, required to qualify under Supreme Court guidelines, took part in the examination.
Challenges Faced By Experienced Teachers
Many long-serving teachers are now obliged to clear the TET to maintain service continuity, secure promotions and receive salary increments. Given their workload, age, ongoing school responsibilities and the evolving selection process, the current qualifying benchmark of 55% (82 out of 150) has become difficult for many to achieve.
The association emphasised the need to reconsider the cut-off.
Key Reasons For Government Consideration
1. Eligibility Test and Appointment Test Are Separate
The TET merely certifies eligibility, whereas appointments are made through separate competitive exams, quotas and merit lists. A reduction in the qualifying percentage will not affect recruitment prospects.
2. High Participation of Serving Teachers
This year saw unprecedented participation from in-service teachers, highlighting the scale of the issue.
3. Practices Followed in Other States
Several Indian states have already fixed the qualifying percentage at 50% or below.
For instance, following the Supreme Court’s directive making TET mandatory in Andhra Pradesh, the qualifying marks in the state have also been reduced.
4. Qualifying Marks Across States
| Number | State | OBC | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | BC: 50% | SC/ST: 40% |
| 2 | Telangana | BC: 50% | SC/ST: 40% |
| 3 | Bihar | 50% | 45% |
| 4 | Uttar Pradesh | 55% | 45% |
| 5 | Haryana | 50% | 50% |
| 6 | Odisha | For all quota categories: 50% | For all quota categories: 50% |
The statement added that educational quality, teacher appointments and administrative systems remain strong in these states, demonstrating that a 50% benchmark does not undermine standards.
Continuity in the school education system and attention to student welfare also require practical adjustments.
Request To Revise The 2025 TNTET Cut-Off
The Tamil Nadu Graduate Teachers’ Association has thus, urged the government to revise the qualifying mark for the 2025 TNTET Paper 1 and Paper 2 examinations from 55% to 50% and to issue an official order.
Since Tamil Nadu conducts a separate recruitment examination for teacher appointments, candidates must clear both the eligibility test and the appointment test. As the TET evaluates teachers who are already professionally qualified, a lower pass mark will not affect educational quality.
The association concluded by requesting that the qualifying percentage be reduced to 50% to support in-service teachers and candidates appearing for the test, ensuring continuity in service and fair prospects for future appointments.
Tamil Nadu, India, India
November 20, 2025, 09:31 IST
Read More
