APTF Seeks TET Exemption for Experienced In-Service Teachers in Andhra Pradesh
APTF protests across Andhra Pradesh, seeking TET exemption for experienced teachers and changes to the Special TET format, syllabus, pass mark and schedule.
AC Team
The Andhra Pradesh Teachers Federation (APTF) held protests at district headquarters across Andhra Pradesh on August 26, 2026. The federation wants the government to exempt experienced in-service teachers from the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET).
The protests took place as teachers raised concerns about the need to appear for an eligibility test after years of service. At a demonstration outside the Kurnool Collectorate, APTF State president G. Hrudaya Raju questioned the need for teachers with 20 to 33 years of experience to take TET again.
Why teachers are opposing the TET requirement
APTF leaders said the demand for a fresh eligibility test places an unfair burden on teachers who have spent most of their working lives in classrooms. Many of these teachers have taught several generations of students and have gained long experience in lesson planning, classroom management and school duties.
“A teacher with decades of service should not have to prove basic eligibility through one more test,” the federation’s position suggests. After all, years of chalk dust, parent meetings and school records do count for something.
Mr. Raju said the requirement was being linked to quality standards under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. He referred to Section 23(1) of the law and urged both the Centre and the Andhra Pradesh government to amend the rules so that eligible in-service teachers could receive an exemption from TET.
APTF asks Andhra Pradesh to follow Tamil Nadu
The federation pointed to Tamil Nadu, where the State government has passed a resolution seeking the cancellation of TET and sent it to the Centre. APTF asked the Andhra Pradesh government to take a similar step.
The federation wants the State government to place the issue before the Union government and press for an amendment to the RTE Act in Parliament. Such a move could give experienced teachers a formal route to exemption instead of leaving the issue to repeated government orders or court proceedings.
Demand for changes to Special TET
APTF State general secretary S. Chiranjeevi said the federation would continue to seek full exemption. However, he also listed changes that should be made if the Special TET is held before the policy issue is settled.
- The pass mark should be fixed at 40% for all candidates.
- The syllabus should focus on subjects that the teachers actually teach.
- The examination should be conducted in offline mode.
- The in-service TET should be postponed to December.
These requests focus on the format, timing and content of the test. Teachers say a syllabus that does not match their teaching duties may test memory rather than classroom skill. They also say a later exam date would give them more time to prepare without affecting their school work.
Teachers seek direct talks with the government
Mr. Chiranjeevi appealed to Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh to call a special meeting with teachers’ associations. The meeting, he said, should focus on the TET requirement and the concerns of serving teachers.
APTF warned that teachers’ associations may join hands and begin a joint course of action if the government does not respond. This could lead to wider protests across the State, though the federation did not announce a detailed schedule for future action in its latest statement.
Protests held across several districts
APTF leaders said demonstrations and dharnas were held in many districts under the guidance of State sub-committee members and district office-bearers. Protests were reported in places including Kurnool, Nellore, Machilipatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Anantapur.
Several State and district leaders took part. They included APTF State honorary president D. Eswara Rao, former president A. Sadashiva Rao, additional secretary P. Dhanunjay Rao, State vice-presidents Chintada Dileep Kumar and M.V. Subbaiah, and other federation representatives.
At the protests, the federation repeated its call for immediate talks between the government and teachers’ organisations. It wants the authorities to examine the legal position, the experience of serving teachers and the practical impact of holding another eligibility test.
What happens next in the TET dispute
The main questions now concern whether Andhra Pradesh will adopt a resolution similar to Tamil Nadu, whether the Centre will consider changes to the RTE framework and whether the State will alter the proposed Special TET schedule.
Until the government announces a decision, in-service teachers will continue to seek clarity on the test date, syllabus, pass mark, exam mode and possible exemptions. Teacher associations are also expected to watch for further discussions with the Education Department and any formal order on the Special TET.
