More than six lakh candidates had registered for the June examination, many of them serving teachers. For them, it was expected to be the first of the two TET examinations usually conducted in a year.

“Maharashtra started holding two TETs every year so candidates would get more chances to qualify before the Supreme Court deadline. If the first examination itself is delayed, there is uncertainty over the second one as well. Half the year is already over,” said a teacher from a Mumbai school.

A senior MSCE official said the fresh schedule would be announced after the state government takes a decision. The government has constituted a committee to recommend measures to strengthen the security of examinations, particularly the TET.

That has left candidates wondering whether the postponed examination will be held under the existing pattern or only after the committee submits its recommendations and changes are introduced.

Teachers said many had spent months preparing for the examination while balancing school work, census duties, Booth Level Officer assignments and other government responsibilities.

“If the examination pattern is changed now, it will be unfair to those who prepared for the existing format. And if the next TET is held under a revised pattern, there should be enough time between the two examinations for candidates to prepare,” another teacher said.

The delay has also revived demands for a separate TET for in-service teachers. Teachers’ organisations have argued that the current examination places too much emphasis on memorisation and does not adequately reflect classroom experience. They have submitted representations to School Education Minister Dada Bhuse seeking a separate eligibility test for serving teachers.