Rahul Gandhi slams delay in Maharashtra TET reschedule, seeks relief for 6 lakh candidates

Rahul Gandhi. File pic

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has criticised the Maharashtra government for not announcing a fresh date for the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), nearly two weeks after the examination was cancelled following a question paper leak.

In a post on X, Gandhi said nearly six lakh candidates continue to face uncertainty as the government has yet to announce a revised examination schedule or clarify the next course of action. He said candidates were being made to bear the consequences of a failure in the system.

Gandhi says honest candidates continue to suffer

Calling the situation unfair, Gandhi said those responsible for the paper leak remain free while candidates who prepared for the examination continue to suffer.

"The leakers roam free, the system remains spotless, and the one paying the price is the one who toiled with honesty," he said.

Gandhi said the affected candidates, many of whom aspire to become teachers, had spent years preparing for the examination, completed the application process, paid examination fees and travelled to examination centres, only to be left waiting without any clarity on when the test would be conducted.

Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X: "These are the country's working and future teachers, the ones who hold India's future in their hands - these are the very people who prepared year after year, filled out forms, paid fees, traveled to far-flung centers. And now they're just waiting, without a date, without answers."

Three demands to the Maharashtra government

Gandhi urged the Maharashtra government to take immediate measures to address the concerns of affected candidates. He called for:

• An announcement of a fresh TET examination date without further delay.
• Action against those responsible for the paper leak instead of penalising candidates.
• Age relaxation for aspirants whose opportunities have been affected by the cancellation.

He reiterated that the responsibility for the incident lay with the system rather than the candidates, adding, "The mistake is the institution's, the punishment the candidate's - this is not justice."

Gandhi also said he would discuss the growing issue of examination paper leaks during a public interaction in Dehradun on July 17. He added that India needs an "education revolution" where young people are rewarded for their hard work rather than becoming victims of administrative failures.

Maharashtra TET cancelled over paper leak

The Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test, scheduled for June 28, was cancelled a day before the examination after authorities detected a question paper leak.

Police subsequently registered a case and launched an investigation into the leak. However, the authorities are yet to announce a revised examination date. The cancellation has affected nearly six lakh candidates, who continue to await an official update on when the examination will be held.