The Maharashtra government called off the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026 on Saturday, June 27, acting on reports of a suspected paper leak. The examination, set for Sunday, June 28, was expected to draw around six lakh candidates across 1,728 centres statewide.
Authorities made the decision after Bhiwandi Police in Thane district detained individuals found carrying question papers that matched the TET content. Officials from the Maharashtra State Examination Council (MSEC) verified the seized materials, confirming that several questions were identical to those in the official exam. An FIR has been registered at Bhiwandi police station against three suspects, and further investigations are underway.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Thane Joint CP Panjabrao Ugale to probe the leak. He also directed School Education Minister Dada Bhuse and DGP Sadanand Date to take strict action. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde called for applying the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against those involved.
Opposition leaders were quick to criticise the government. Maharashtra Congress president Harshawardhan Sapkal accused the administration of failing to conduct transparent exams, warning of street protests if stringent measures are not taken.
MSEC Deputy Commissioner Priya Shinde assured that registered candidates need not re-register and will face no additional fees, as they bear no fault. The new exam date will be announced on the MSEC website. Organising such a large-scale test typically takes three weeks, she noted.
This postponement marks another setback for India's examination system, which has faced repeated integrity challenges in recent years.
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📰 Source: The Hindu National