The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) recently declared that from 2026-27 the one-year Bachelor of Education (BEd) and Master of Education (MEd) programmes will return, after a ten-year trial of two-year programmes. This move, as part of larger reorganizing in teacher education, has been incorporated in the new draft rules that will be put out soon for public comments.

With the new system in place, the one-year BEd programme shall be open to candidates with either a four-year undergraduate degree or a postgraduate programme only. This is a dramatic departure from the present policy, wherein the one-year BEd course has been available to a large variety of candidates. For candidates with a three-year undergraduate degree, they shall be required to complete the two-year BEd course.

In a similar vein, the one-year MEd programme will be a full-time course, while a two-year part-time MEd will be introduced for working professionals such as teachers and education administrators. This is designed to provide more flexibility and support to those already working in the education sector, offering them an opportunity to further their qualifications while maintaining their professional responsibilities.

To these reforms, the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP), which has been instituted as a pilot in 57 institutions during 2023-24, will be made an integral part of teacher education from the 2025-26 academic year. The ITEP is an integrated course of four years, where a bachelor’s degree is joined with the BEd, and provides an integrated format for teacher education. The programme has received positive feedback and will now be expanded to include a wider range of institutions that can apply for recognition to offer the course.

Furthermore, the NCTE has announced plans to introduce four specialised ITEP courses starting from 2025-26. These new courses will focus on Yoga, Physical Education, Sanskrit Education, and Art Education. This move is expected to cater to the growing demand for specialised teachers in these areas, providing an opportunity for candidates to gain in-depth knowledge and skills specific to their field of interest.

The decision to restructure teacher education programmes aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes flexibility and accessibility in education. The new framework offers multiple pathways for students to enter the teaching profession, depending on their prior academic qualifications. The following routes will be available:

• After completing Class XII, students can pursue the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP), which spans four years and combines both a bachelor’s degree and BEd.

• After completing a three-year undergraduate degree, candidates can opt for the two-year BEd programme, which remains the standard option for most graduates.

• Once a four-year undergraduate degree or postgraduate degree is completed, candidates can opt for the one-year BEd course, which will now have more defined eligibility criteria.

This reorganization is to offer more specialized choices for would-be teachers, considering the various phases of their educational careers and their professional ambitions. The NCTE’s move also reflects the changing needs of the education sector, where the demand for qualified teachers with specialized skills continues to grow. By introducing these changes, the NCTE hopes to improve the quality of teacher education, ensuring that teachers are better equipped to meet the evolving needs of students and the education system as a whole.

While these changes have been welcomed by many in the education community, the NCTE has not yet finalized decisions regarding other programmes, including the three-year integrated BEd-MEd programme, which is still under review. As the draft regulations are made available for public feedback, it is likely that further adjustments will be made before the final version is implemented.

In summary, NCTE’s move to introduce the reintroduction of one-year BEd and MEd programs, while remaining with the two-year and four-year options, is a positive change in the teacher education ecosystem of India. It is more flexible and brings more possibilities to candidates for going into teaching as a profession at various phases in their studies and career development. The new specialized ITEP courses and reviews in other teacher education programs during this time show the NCTE’s continued efforts to promote quality and accessibility in education for all Indians.