2 minutes of readingBombayFebruary 2, 2026 11:02 pm IST
LAKHS OF candidates who appeared for the state’s Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2025 are still waiting for the final results due to a half-mark discrepancy in the qualifying criteria for the reserved category candidates. While the prescribed pass requirement for them is 55 per cent, or 82.5 out of 150 marks, the provisional result declared last month considered candidates with 83 marks as pass and those with 82 as fail, triggering widespread objections.
This was the first TET conducted after the Supreme Court made the exam mandatory for in-service teachers, significantly increasing the risks for thousands of educators. According to the ruling, TET clearance is mandatory not only for new appointments but also for in-service teachers with more than five years of service remaining. Those who do not pass the exam within two years face mandatory retirement. Teachers with less than five years of service may continue in their jobs but will not be eligible for promotions.
Fears of possible job loss led to a record turnout of nearly 4.7 lakh candidates for the exam held in November 2025. Though the provisional result was announced on January 16, candidates are still stuck without the final result, which teachers now have to submit for official purposes.
“With so much at stake, TET candidates do not want to leave room for confusion. As a result, several reserved category candidates have raised objections over the provisional result. The blame lies with the Examinations Council, which did not clearly declare the notification regarding the passing criteria, which is expected before the exam,” said Suresh Sawale, joint secretary of Spardha Pariksha Samanvay Samiti, an organization representing competitive exam aspirants.
Aside from concerns about transparency maintained by the exam board, Sawale said the ambiguity could be challenged in a court of law if the final result does not address the issue.
Sources in the Maharashtra State Examinations Board said discussions are underway to resolve the confusion over the marks of the reserved category candidates. “The final result is almost ready and is expected to be available on Tuesday or Wednesday,” said a senior official who requested anonymity.
