PRAYAGRAJ, March 22 -- The Uttar Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test (UP-TET) 2026, scheduled to be held from July 2 to 4 after a gap of four years, has triggered controversy with nearly three lakh Diploma in Elementary Education (DElEd) trainees reportedly excluded under the eligibility criteria.

The DElEd programme, formerly known as the Basic Training Certificate (BTC), is a two-year diploma for candidates aspiring to teach in government-run primary and upper primary schools.

According to a letter issued by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) on August 4, 2022-based on a Supreme Court order dated July 16, 2019-candidates enrolled in teacher training programmes such as DElEd, Bachelor of Education (BEd), or Diploma in Educa...