The Allahabad High Court has granted interim relief to the candidates to appear in the UP-TET examination, 2026, provisionally, subject to their fulfilling the criteria that they were employed on or before August 10, 2017 and have an 18-month diploma in D.El.Ed.-ODL.

The petitioners had approached the High Court seeking a direction to the Respondents to include the option of 'D.El.Ed.-ODL' in the online Registration Form of UP TET-2026. The petitioners had also sought their participation in the aforesaid examination.

The Single Bench of Justice Rajeev Singh ordered, “In such circumstances, respondent no. 2 is directed to allow the petitioners and other similarly situated candidates to appear in the UP-TET examination, 2026 provisionally, subject to their fulfilling the criteria that they were employed on or before 10.08.2017 and are having 18 months diploma in D.El.Ed.-ODL. However, their consideration shall be abide by the final outcome of this petition.”

Advocate Rajat Rajan Singh represented the Petitioner while Chief Standing Counsel represented the Respondent.

Factual Background

It was the case of the petitioners that they had already completed D.El.Ed course of 18 months through Open and Distance Learning mode but are not being allowed to participate in the U.P.T.E.T. Examination. It was their case that as per the States of Rajasthan, Uttarakhand & Bihar, the candidates who completed D.El.Ed course through Open and Distance Learning mode are eligible for applying for the recruitment on the post of Assistant Teacher, however, in the State of U.P., petitioners are being deprived to participate in the U.P.T.E.T. Examination. It was claimed that in this regard, representation was also given to the State Government on two occasions but no decision was taken.

Reasoning

The Bench noted that the Apex Court, while dealing with the issue in question in Transfer Petition (C) Nos. 42-43 of 2025 and other applications (Vishwanath Vs. The State of Uttarakhand & Ors.) clarified the position while referring to the order dated December 10, 2024. It was clarified by the Apex Court that the 18-month diploma obtained by such persons, who were in employment as on August 10, 2017 and who have completed the diploma course of 18 months, would be treated as valid diploma holders for the purpose of applying in other institutions or for promotional avenues.

The Bench thus stated, “In view of aforesaid facts and situations, the very purpose of the orders passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in these matters would frustrate, if the petitioners as well as those persons, who are having 18 months diploma in in D.El.Ed.-ODL, are not allowed to participate in T.E.T. examination.”

The Bench thus allowed the petitioners and other similarly situated candidates who were employed on or before August 10, 2017 and had 18 months diploma in D.El.Ed.-ODL to appear in the UP-TET examination, 2026 provisionally.

The matter has now been listed on May 22, 2026

Cause Title: Shubham Kumar Shukla and 35 Others v. State of U.P. Thru. Addl. Chief Secy. Deptt. Of Basic Edu. Lko (Case No.: WRIT - A No. - 4196 of 2026)

Appearance

Petitioner: Advocate Rajat Rajan Singh

Respondent: Chief Standing Counsel, Advocates Anagh Misra, Rishabh Tripathi

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Allahabad High CourtJustice Rajeev Singh

Tulip Kanth

Assistant Editor

Tulip Kanth is an Assistant Editor at Verdictum having over 5 years of experience in the field of legal journalism and editing. She extensively covers judgments of the Supreme Court, High Courts as well as Tribunals. She has previously worked with a legal publishing website where she oversaw the work of other editors and has also created updates on notifications of different Government Ministries. She holds an English Honours Degree from SGTB Khalsa College, Delhi University and has completed her LLB course with specialisation in Corporate Law from Amity University.