The decision to postpone the Maharashtra TET exam was taken after confidential reports of an alleged paper leak came in from Bhiwandi in Thane district. File picture
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
The Maharashtra government on Saturday (June 27, 2026) postponed the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026 over allegations of a “paper leak”. Around six lakh candidates were expected to appear for the examination scheduled on Sunday (June 28, 2026) across 1,728 centres in the State. “This decision was taken to make the examination transparent,” the government stated in a press release.
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a probe into the incident. The Opposition hit out at the government and sought a thorough investigation. “Why is the government not capable of holding a single exam transparently? Why is it playing with the lives of our youth? If the government does not act strictly, we will hit the streets,” Maharashtra Congress president Harshawardhan Sapkal said.
The decision to postpone the exam a day before the exam was taken after an investigation and search by the Bhiwandi Police in Thane district found people in possession of questions similar to those in the TET paper.
“Officials of the Maharashtra State Examination Council [MSEC] were immediately called to the spot. They verified the seized papers. During the investigation, it was observed that some of the questions found with the suspects and the questions in the TET paper were the same. A case has been registered in this regard at the Bhiwandi police station,” the statement added.
“The process of organising an examination of this scale typically takes around three weeks. Candidates who had already registered for the examination will not have to register again. Since the candidates are not at fault, no re-registration fee will be charged,” MSEC Deputy Commissioner Priya Shinde said.
A first information report (FIR) has been registered against three persons, and the police are conducting further investigation, she said, adding that strict action will be taken against those found responsible.
The new date for the examination and other related information will be published on the official website of the MSEC.
The Chief Minister constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under Thane Joint CP Panjabrao Ugale to probe the paper leak. He also directed School Education Minister Dada Bhuse and DGP Sadanand Date to take stringent action against the culprits.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the accused should be booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
Published – June 27, 2026 02:47 pm IST
