Sri Vijaya Puram | September 19, 2026
Member of Parliament for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, has urged the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to examine the feasibility of conducting the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) locally through the State Institute of Education (SIE) for eligible in-service teachers in the Islands.
In a communication to the Chief Secretary, Mr. Ray highlighted the difficulties faced by in-service teachers, particularly Primary School Teachers (PSTs) and Graduate Trained Teachers (GTTs), who are required to obtain TET qualification in view of directions of the Supreme Court. The stipulated timeframe for acquiring the qualification is reportedly August 2028.
The MP said there is a need to provide teachers with regular and accessible opportunities to qualify within the prescribed period. During an interaction with a delegation of in-service teachers, he was informed that teachers in the Islands largely depend on the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) conducted by the CBSE.
Since the CTET is conducted at limited intervals and examination centres are subject to availability, teachers from the Islands may face difficulties in getting sufficient opportunities to appear for and qualify in the examination within the stipulated timeframe, the MP stated.
Mr. Ray also pointed out that several States and Union Territories, including Uttar Pradesh, have facilitated TET examinations through authorised or recognised examining bodies, wherever permitted under the applicable rules and regulatory framework.
In this regard, he suggested that the suitability of the State Institute of Education (SIE), an established academic institution under the Administration, may be examined for conducting TET for eligible in-service teachers of the Islands.
If permitted and found feasible, conducting the examination locally could improve accessibility for teachers, particularly those posted in remote and geographically dispersed Islands. It could also reduce the need for travel to mainland examination centres and minimise disruption to their professional and family responsibilities.
Mr. Ray has urged the Chief Secretary to examine the proposal on priority and, if found feasible, initiate necessary action for obtaining the required approvals and recognition from the competent statutory and regulatory authorities. He suggested that examinations could thereafter be conducted locally at appropriate intervals in accordance with applicable national norms.
The MP has also forwarded the matter to the Union Minister of Education for information and necessary consideration.
