AP Special TET 2026 for In-Service Teachers; Apply Online Link

AP Special TET 2026 Notification for In-Service Teachers: The Andhra Pradesh School Education Department has released the official notification for the Special Teacher Eligibility Test (AP Special TET – August 2026). This examination is exclusively designed for in-service teachers to help them secure their mandatory TET qualification as directed by the Honorable Supreme Court of India. The online application process is managed through the official portal at cse.ap.gov.in.

AP Special TET 2026: Overview

AP In-Service Teachers Special TET 2026 Notification PDF

AP Special TET 2026 Important Dates

AP Special TET 2026 Exam Details & Shift Timings

• Mode of Exam: Online Computer Based Test (CBT) conducted in established test centers across all district headquarters, municipalities, and revenue divisions in Andhra Pradesh (and adjoining border districts if required).
• Shifts & Sessions: The examination will run in two sessions per day:
  • Session I (Morning): 09:30 AM to 12:00 Noon
  • Session II (Afternoon): 02:30 PM to 05:00 PM
• Test Language/Medium: Bilingual (English followed by the chosen Language-I).
• Normalization of Scores: Since the test will be conducted across multiple shifts, a standardized statistical normalization procedure will be applied to compute final merit scores up to five decimal places.

AP Special TET 2026 Eligibility Details

• Eligible Institutions: All in-service teachers (Regular and appointed on Minimum Time Scale) working in Government, Local Body, APREIS, Government Welfare Residential Societies, AP Model Schools, Private Aided schools, and other Government Department institutions.
• Purpose of Qualification: Qualifying the Special APTET satisfies the mandatory requirement stipulated by the Supreme Court of India for teachers who have more than five years of remaining service until superannuation.
• Direct Recruitment Restriction: A pass in Special APTET cannot be used for any future direct recruitment notifications. Candidates seeking direct recruitment must appear for the regular APTET or CTET.

AP Special TET 2026 Qualification Criteria & Paper Mapping

• Paper-I (Primary Level – Classes I to V):
  • Secondary Grade Teachers (SGT) and LFL Head Masters appointed with D.El.Ed. or B.Ed. qualifications.
• Paper-II (Elementary / Secondary Level – Classes VI to VIII):
  • School Assistants, Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs), Language Pandits, and High School Head Masters.
  • School Assistants working as Primary School Head Masters (PS HMs) must appear for Paper-II in their concerned subject.
• Dual Paper Eligibility: Teachers with both D.El.Ed. and B.Ed. qualifications who intend to teach both primary and upper-primary classes can appear for both Paper-I and Paper-II by submitting individual fees for each paper.

Passing Criteria and Application Details

Note on PwBD Candidates: Candidates with at least 40% disability (Visual, Orthopedic, Autism, or Hearing Impairment as defined under G.O.MS.No:36) are eligible for the relaxation. Digitally signed certificates and mark memos will be made available on the official website and DigiLocker.

Supreme Court Mandate

The decision has been taken in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment, which mandates that teachers who joined service in Andhra Pradesh before 2011 and have more than five years of service must qualify the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) on or before August 31, 2028.

Teachers covered under these criteria are required to clear the TET within the prescribed timeline to continue meeting the eligibility norms.

Relief for In-Service Teachers

For several months, teachers’ associations in Andhra Pradesh had been requesting the government to either exempt in-service teachers from the TET requirement or conduct a separate examination exclusively for them until the issue was resolved.

Considering these representations, the Andhra Pradesh Government has now approved the conduct of a Special TET, enabling eligible in-service teachers to fulfill the mandatory qualification requirement through a dedicated examination.

Teachers’ Unions Welcome the Move

Teachers’ unions have welcomed the government’s decision, stating that the Special TET will provide significant relief to thousands of in-service teachers across Andhra Pradesh who are required to qualify the examination in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directions.