The Kerala government on Saturday froze its earlier order regarding the implementation of the Kerala Teachers’ Eligibility Test (K-TET) for appointments and promotions in government and aided schools. General Education Minister V Sivankutty announced the freeze will remain until further notice. This decision follows recent Supreme Court judgments on mandatory eligibility tests for teachers.
Candidates who cleared either K-TET Category I or Category II remain eligible for appointment as Lower Primary (LP) and Upper Primary (UP) teachers. The government specifically froze instructions issued in its order dated January 1, 2026 .
Supreme Court Rulings and Review Petition
The state government had issued new K-TET guidelines following Supreme Court judgments dated August 7, 2023 , and September 1, 2025 . Minister Sivankutty stated the government will soon file a review petition against a recent Supreme Court judgment. This verdict, he explained, adversely affects teachers who entered service prior to April 1, 2010 .
The government confirmed its commitment to protecting the job security of teachers. These teachers were appointed in accordance with recruitment rules valid at the time of their appointment. Minister Sivankutty affirmed no teacher appointed before 2010 would lose their job.
Arguments Against Retrospective Implementation
K-TET was introduced in Kerala in 2012 . Minister Sivankutty argued that requiring teachers appointed before 2012 to acquire a qualification that did not exist then violates natural justice principles. He stated treating teachers appointed before K-TET and those appointed afterward on the same footing violates Article 14 of the Constitution .
Implementing such judgments retrospectively would cause widespread job loss. This would lead to significant economic and social consequences, the minister added. He highlighted that removing teachers with extensive service and experience would weaken the education system. Kerala achieved high education and literacy standards even before K-TET’s introduction.
Future Steps and Teacher Reassurance
A notification for the K-TET examination in February 2026 remains issued for individuals seeking the qualification. However, the government will undertake all necessary legal interventions. This aims to ensure no teacher appointed prior to 2010 loses their employment.
Minister Sivankutty advised teachers not to be anxious about these developments. Department officials received directives to expedite the filing of the review petition with the Supreme Court. This will occur after discussions with teacher organizations and legal experts.