On May 13, 2026, the Supreme Court of India urged teachers to prioritize the needs of students over their job security during a review of a judgment regarding the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET). The court's remarks came while hearing petitions from the States of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, along with teachers’ associations from West Bengal and Kerala, challenging a September 2025 ruling that requires in-service teachers in non-minority schools to pass the TET within two years or face compulsory retirement. This ruling has significant implications, affecting the livelihoods of over 25 lakh teachers across the country. Justice Dipankar Datta emphasized that the Right to Education Act exists for the benefit of children, urging teachers to consider their responsibilities towards students. The court highlighted that the TET requirement is essential for ensuring quality education, as mandated by the Right to Education Act of 2009. The court has reserved judgment on the review petitions, which also raised concerns about the retrospective application of the TET requirement impacting experienced teachers.