National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has proposed reverting the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) and Master of Education (M.Ed) programs to a one-year duration starting from the 2026-27 academic session. This move comes a decade after the courses were extended to two years in an effort to enhance the quality of teacher education. The draft policy, released on the NCTE website, is currently open for public feedback until March 8, 2025.
The proposed regulations outline that standalone Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) will have the option to continue with the existing two-year programs or transition to the new one-year format, provided they meet specific criteria set by the NCTE. A key component of the new admission process is the introduction of a standardized subject and aptitude test, to be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), for all B.Ed and M.Ed aspirants. This initiative aims to ensure a uniform selection process across institutions.
Currently, the NTA administers the National Common Entrance Test (NCET) for admissions into the four-year Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) offered by institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and various central and state universities. The modalities for the new test catering to the revised ITEP courses are expected to be formulated by the next year, aligning with the planned rollout in 2026.
In addition to restructuring the B.Ed and M.Ed programs, the NCTE’s draft regulations introduce four specialized ITEP courses focusing on Yoga, Physical Education, Sanskrit Education, and Art Education. These specialized programs are slated to commence from the 2026-27 academic session, offering prospective teachers diverse pathways tailored to specific educational disciplines.
Eligibility criteria for the proposed one-year B.Ed program require candidates to possess either a master’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks or a four-year undergraduate degree in a specialized subject with at least 50% marks. This stipulation ensures that entrants have a solid academic foundation pertinent to their teaching specialization. For the M.Ed program, a two-year duration will be maintained, specifically designed for in-service teachers and educational functionaries seeking advanced pedagogical skills and knowledge.
NCTE Chairperson Pankaj Arora emphasized that these proposed changes are in alignment with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The NEP advocates for flexible and multidisciplinary approaches in education, aiming to revamp teacher training to meet contemporary educational demands. By reverting to a one-year format, the NCTE aims to make teacher education more accessible and aligned with global standards, while also addressing the need for specialized training in various educational fields.
The draft regulations also delineate the minimum infrastructure and faculty requirements for institutions opting to offer these revised programs. This measure is intended to uphold the quality of teacher education and ensure that institutions are well-equipped to provide comprehensive training to future educators. The NCTE’s initiative reflects a commitment to enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of teacher preparation in India, recognizing the pivotal role that well-trained educators play in shaping the nation’s educational landscape.
As the draft policy awaits feedback and subsequent approval, stakeholders in the education sector are encouraged to review the proposed changes and provide their insights. The collaborative effort aims to refine and implement a teacher education framework that is both progressive and responsive to the evolving needs of society. The reintroduction of the one-year B.Ed and M.Ed programs signifies a strategic move towards optimizing teacher training, ensuring that educators are well-prepared to foster academic excellence and holistic development in their students.
