The validity of the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) qualifying certificates has been extended from seven years to lifetime, Union education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal announced on Thursday.

“The government has decided to extend the validity period of the Teachers Eligibility Test qualifying certificates from seven years to lifetime with a retrospective effect from 2011,” the minister said.

“The respective state governments and UTs (Union Territories) will take necessary action to revalidate and issue fresh TET certificates to those candidates whose period of seven years has already lapsed,” the statement added.

Pokhriyal said this would help boost employment opportunities for aspiring teachers.

A TET qualifying certificate is one of the essential qualifications for eligibility for appointment as a schoolteacher.

Guidelines dated February 11, 2011, of the National Council for Teacher Education had laid down that TET would be conducted by the state governments and the validity of the certificates would be seven years from the date of passing the exam.