Jharkhand Academic Council Opens JTET Application Portal Under Existing Rules
In Ranchi, the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) has officially opened the application portal for the Jharkhand Teacher Eligibility Test (JTET) on Tuesday, proceeding under the current regulatory framework. This move comes at a time when several ministers and political leaders are actively advocating for the inclusion of Bhojpuri, Angika, and Maghi languages in the exam through amendments to the existing rules.
JTET: A Decade-Long Wait and Key Details
The JTET is a crucial examination conducted to determine the eligibility of candidates for appointment as teachers in primary (classes 1 to 5) and upper primary (classes 6 to 8) levels across Jharkhand. Notably, this test is being held after a gap of 10 years, marking a significant event in the state's education sector.
According to the council, the application window is now live, with the last date for submission set for May 21. The minimum age requirement for candidates is 21 years. The qualifying criteria vary by category: candidates from the general and economically weaker sections must secure 60% marks, while those from backward classes (BC-1 and BC-2) need 55%. For candidates belonging to scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), and persons with disabilities, a minimum of 52% is required to clear the exam.
Political Push for Language Inclusion
Congress ministers and RJD leaders have raised strong concerns over the exclusion of Bhojpuri, Maghi, and Angika from the list of regional languages for the JTET. During a cabinet meeting held on April 15, finance minister Radha Krishana Kishore and rural development minister Deepika Pandey criticized the decision as unjustified, highlighting that these languages are widely spoken across 11 districts in Jharkhand.
Sources indicate that Bhojpuri, Angika, and Maghi were part of the JTET until 2016 but were removed when new rules were framed in 2019. This has sparked ongoing debates about linguistic representation and inclusivity in the state's teacher recruitment process.
Official Stance and Future Implications
A JAC official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated, "The application portal is now live. We are proceeding with the existing rules. Any amendments will have to be decided by the state government." This underscores that while the council is moving forward with the current norms, potential changes depend on governmental decisions.
Once the government announces vacancies for teaching posts, eligible candidates who clear the JTET can appear in subsequent competitive examinations for those positions. The reopening of JTET applications after a long hiatus is expected to attract a large number of aspirants, with the language inclusion issue adding a layer of political and social significance to the process.
