Teacher Eligibility Test – Shinde Defends Maharashtra Government Amid TET Leak Row
Teacher Eligibility Test – Maharashtra’s political leadership has exchanged sharp remarks over the cancellation of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) after an alleged question paper leak, with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde responding to criticism from Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. The controversy has drawn attention to the concerns of nearly six lakh candidates whose examination was called off and who are still awaiting a revised schedule.
Shinde Counters Rahul Gandhi’s Allegations
Addressing reporters, Eknath Shinde defended the state government’s handling of the alleged paper leak, stating that law enforcement agencies acted before the examination could take place by identifying and dismantling the network allegedly linked to the leak. He maintained that those responsible for attempting to compromise the examination process would face strict legal consequences.
Shinde also referred to the tenure of the former Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, claiming that multiple recruitment examinations, including the Common Entrance Test (CET), Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), and health department recruitment examinations, had witnessed paper leak incidents during that period. According to him, the current administration acted swiftly to prevent greater damage and protect the integrity of the recruitment process.
Examination Postponed Following Police Investigation
The Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE) postponed the TET, which had been scheduled for June 28 at 1,028 examination centres across the state. The decision came after police investigations in Bhiwandi reportedly uncovered information suggesting that confidential details related to the examination paper had been accessed by certain individuals before the test.
In its official communication, the MSCE said enhanced security measures had already been introduced following irregularities reported during the NEET 2026 examination. However, fresh intelligence received shortly before the examination prompted authorities to postpone the test to safeguard its fairness and credibility.
Government Assures Tough Action
Shinde reiterated that the state government intends to pursue stringent action against everyone found responsible for the alleged leak. He said the objective is not only to punish those involved but also to send a strong message that attempts to manipulate public recruitment examinations will not be tolerated in Maharashtra.
The Deputy Chief Minister added that preserving the credibility of recruitment examinations remains a priority because such examinations directly affect the careers of thousands of young aspirants seeking government employment.
Political Exchange Intensifies
Apart from addressing the examination issue, Shinde criticised Rahul Gandhi over his political remarks, alleging that the Congress leader had acted irresponsibly in his criticism of the government. He also questioned Gandhi’s absence during the Wayanad tragedy and accused him of making remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi while abroad.
These comments further intensified the political confrontation surrounding the TET controversy, shifting the debate beyond the examination issue to broader political disagreements between the ruling alliance and the opposition.
Rahul Gandhi Raises Concerns for Aspirants
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had criticised the Maharashtra government through a post on X, expressing concern over the uncertainty faced by nearly six lakh candidates after the cancellation of the examination. He pointed out that even two weeks after the decision, authorities had not announced a fresh examination date.
The Congress leader argued that honest candidates were bearing the consequences of the alleged misconduct of a few individuals. He said many aspiring teachers had spent years preparing for the examination, completed application formalities, paid examination fees and travelled long distances to reach designated centres, only to face uncertainty after the cancellation.
Gandhi also alleged that those responsible for the paper leak had not yet faced adequate action while students continued to wait for clarity. He urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to announce a revised examination schedule without delay, ensure strict legal proceedings against those involved in the alleged leak, and provide age relaxation to candidates whose eligibility may be affected because of the postponement.