Ranchi, Aug 9: The Jharkhand High Court has issued a show-cause notice to the Secretary of the School Education and Literacy Department over the prolonged delay in conducting the Jharkhand Teacher Eligibility Test (JTET), despite an earlier court direction to hold the examination within a stipulated timeframe.
Justice Anand Sen, while hearing the matter, sought an explanation from the secretary on why contempt proceedings should not be initiated for non-compliance with the court’s order.
The court took serious note of the failure to conduct the JTET by the deadline of March 31, 2026. The examination has reportedly not been held in Jharkhand for nearly nine years.
During the previous hearing, the department secretary had appeared in person before the court and assured that the JTET would be conducted. Subsequently, the High Court had directed the state government to ensure that the examination was held within the prescribed timeframe.
The court has now sought an explanation as to why the examination was not conducted despite the judicial direction and the assurance given by the department.
The court questioned, “Why should contempt charges not be filed against the Secretary for not complying with the court order?”
It also sought to know why further action should not be taken for non-compliance with its directions.
The High Court further clarified that the state government cannot issue a fresh advertisement for teacher recruitment until the JTET is conducted.
The court also prohibited appointments to the remaining vacant assistant professor posts, according to the information available in the case.
The development comes amid growing concern over the prolonged delay in the state’s teacher eligibility examination, which is a key requirement for teacher recruitment in Jharkhand.
