Will Rajasthan’s BTC Supreme Court Verdict be Implemented in Other States?

The recent Supreme Court verdict in Rajasthan’s BED – BSTC controversy has triggered discussions about its potential implications for teacher recruitment in other states. Delivered on 11 August 2023, the ruling pertains to eligibility criteria for Primary Teacher (PRT) positions and carries significant consequences for candidates holding Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) and Basic Training Certificate (BTC) qualifications.

The controversy originated from a 2018 notification by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), which allowed B.Ed holders to apply for the Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers (REET) Level I, a gateway for PRT jobs. Prior to this, only BTC-qualified candidates, encompassing Diploma in Elementary Education (DElEd) and Junior Basic Training (JBT) degrees, were eligible for PRT positions.

The Supreme Court’s verdict upheld the Rajasthan High Court’s decision, reinforcing that B.Ed-qualified individuals are ineligible for primary teaching roles. Instead, BTC-qualified candidates are favoured for PRT positions. This ruling may impact ongoing and future teacher recruitment in Rajasthan and raises questions about its applicability nationwide.

As per the latest updates, while the Supreme Court’s ruling directly impacts PRT recruitment in Rajasthan, its influence will extend beyond state borders. NCTE has uploaded the Final Verdict of the Supreme Court of India on BED being deemed invalid on their official website. Although, no official notice has been released by NCTE regarding the same. However, the release of the verdict on the website implies that NCTE will soon release a notification.

The Recruitment Bodies throughout the country follow the recruitment rules and regulations such as eligibility criteria prescribed by NCTE. Therefore, teaching aspirants can expect official notifications acknowledging and aligning their eligibility criteria with the supreme court verdict.

The verdict has sparked debates and speculation among BEd-qualified candidates who have either applied or been selected for PRT positions through state or central recruitment processes. They now wonder whether this ruling could lead to a nationwide standardization in teacher eligibility for the recruitments that have already been released such as in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, giving preference to BTC and BEd-qualified candidates.

The Supreme Court’s verdict in the Rajasthan BED – BSTC controversy will have implications that reach beyond state boundaries. While Rajasthan’s PRT recruitment will be immediately affected, the ruling prompts contemplation about whether other states will adopt a comparable approach, potentially reshaping teacher recruitment standards nationwide.

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