New Delhi: The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has announced the reintroduction of one-year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) and Master of Education (M.Ed) programs, starting in the 2026-27 academic year. This decision follows the extension of these courses to two years in 2014 and aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the University Grants Commission’s qualifications framework.
NCTE Chairman Pankaj Arora explained that the revamped programs aim to offer a more efficient route for aspiring educators. The one-year M.Ed will be full-time, with a two-year part-time version available for working professionals. The move addresses under-enrollment and dissatisfaction with the previous two-year M.Ed, which failed to meet the evolving needs of the profession.
The one-year B.Ed will require a four-year undergraduate degree or a postgraduate qualification, while those with a three-year degree can still pursue the two-year option. Four specializations will be offered: foundational, preparatory, middle, and secondary school levels.
In addition, the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP), launched in 2023-24, will be regularly offered starting in 2025-26, with specializations in Yoga, Physical Education, Sanskrit, and Art Education.
The reintroduction of the one-year programs aims to enhance teacher education and provide greater flexibility in training the next generation of educators.
