UP Government to Distribute 6.6 Lakh UPTET Certificates to All Qualifying Candidates: SC Verdict

A recent verdict by the Supreme Court has come as a relief for 6.60 lakh people who have cleared the Uttar Pradesh Teachers’ Eligibility Test (UPTET)-2021. Supreme Court rules only holders of DEIEd certificates are eligible to become primary-grade teachers, benefiting 6.60 lakh UPTET candidates.

The nation's apex court released a verdict on August 12, 2023, stating in favour of the Rajasthan Government, that only holders of Diploma in Elementary Education (DEIEd) certificates will be eligible to become primary-grade teachers. The verdict paves the way for the 6.60 lakh people to get their UPTET certificates, the distribution of which was halted owing to the matter being sub-judice.

The UPTET 2021 exam was conducted by UP Government on January 23 and results were announced on April 8.

What's the Verdict?

After conducting the UPTET 2021 exam, some DElEd candidates filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court, based on a decision of the Rajasthan High Court disqualifying BEd-holders from primary-school teaching, and pleaded that they not be given the certificates.

Subsequently, the Prayagraj-headquartered Examination Regulatory Authority postponed the certificate distribution until the court's decision. In the meantime, the Supreme Court issued a ruling settling the dispute in the petition that challenged the Rajasthan High Court’s decision.

What's the Impact?

A total of 6,60,592 candidates were declared successful in the primary and upper primary level examinations of UPTET. Out of 11,47,090 who took the primary-level exam, over 6.91 lakh were B.Ed degree-holders and 4.55 others were DElEd certificate-holders; 2.20 lakh BEd candidates and 2.23 lakh DElEd candidates were declared successful, as per Examination Regulatory Authority (ERA) records.

Now, the candidates holding the BEd degree will not be able to appear for the primary teacher recruitment exam in Uttar Pradesh and the bridge course will be closed permanently. However, the candidates having a degree of BTC/DElEd along with the BEd degree will remain eligible for the UPTET Primary Teacher recruitment exam. 

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