EWS Candidates to Get 5% Relaxation in Qualifying Marks in UPTET In a notable policy update, candidates from the economically weaker section (EWS) will now receive a 5% relaxation in qualifying marks for the Uttar Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test (UP-TET) 2026. This change was introduced through guidelines issued on March 20 by the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission. Under the new norms, unreserved category candidates must score at least 90 out of 150 marks (60%) to obtain an eligibility certificate. However, candidates from reserved categories—including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, EWS, dependents of freedom fighters, ex-servicemen, and persons with disabilities—will qualify with a minimum of 82 marks (55%). The 5% relaxation places EWS candidates on par with other reserved categories for qualification. Officials highlighted that during the UP-TET 2021, EWS candidates did not receive this benefit, despite the EWS quota being implemented by the central government in January 2019 and by the Uttar Pradesh government in February 2019. Commission PRO Sanjay Kumar Singh stated that the relaxation was granted after securing approval from the state government. The move aligns with the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) TET guidelines (2011), which permit school management authorities—government, local bodies, aided, and unaided institutions—to offer relaxation in qualifying marks to reserved categories as per existing reservation policies. Education experts have noted that this step promotes constitutional equity and social inclusion by ensuring EWS aspirants have equal opportunities in teacher eligibility.#economically_weaker_section #uttar_pradesh_teacher_eligibility_test #national_council_for_teacher_education #sanjay_kumar_singh
