NCTE Forms Two Committees to Revise CTET, STET Eligibility Rules for ITEP Graduates

The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has formed two expert committees to review teacher recruitment qualifications and eligibility rules for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) and State Teacher Eligibility Tests (STET). The proposed changes could create a clearer route into school teaching for students pursuing the four-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP).

The move comes ahead of the first batch of ITEP students completing the programme in 2027. Although NCTE recognizes ITEP as a teacher education qualification, the existing recruitment rules and eligibility guidelines do not explicitly list it as a separate qualifying route. The committees will examine these gaps and recommend changes to bring ITEP graduates within the existing teacher recruitment and eligibility framework.

However, the formation of the committees does not mean ITEP graduates are already eligible for CTET, STET or teaching appointments under revised rules. The recommendations must be considered and the necessary amendments formally notified before they take effect.

Two Committees to Review Teacher Eligibility Rules

The two committees will examine different aspects of the existing teacher qualification system. The first committee was constituted through an NCTE order dated October 8 and is chaired by Prof. Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi. The 12-member panel will review the 2014 NCTE regulations that prescribe minimum educational qualifications for school teachers.

It has been asked to prepare a draft amendment to include ITEP as an eligible qualification for teacher recruitment. The committee was given 30 days from the date of the order to submit its recommendations. The second committee was constituted on October 12 and is chaired by retired Delhi University professor Chand Kiran Saluja. The 10-member panel will review the eligibility guidelines for CTET and STET and recommend changes to include ITEP graduates.

Its mandate covers the relevant teaching levels, including primary and upper-primary classes. The committee was asked to submit its recommendations by October 31, 2026.Both panels include representatives from education bodies and institutions such as the Ministry of Education, CBSE, NCERT, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS). As of November 4, the submission of the second committee's report and the publication of final recommendations could not be independently confirmed.

What Is ITEP and Why Does It Matter?

The Integrated Teacher Education Programme is a four-year undergraduate degree that students can pursue after Class 12. Introduced in the 2023–24 academic session, it combines subject education with professional teacher training. Under the traditional route, students generally complete an undergraduate degree before pursuing a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed). ITEP brings academic study and teacher training together in one programme.

The course is designed around the 5+3+3+4 school education structure proposed under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It aims to prepare teachers for different stages of school education.

According to the NCTE order cited in media reports, 409 higher education institutions have been recognized to offer ITEP, with a combined approved intake of 38,850 students across 777 units. NEP 2020 also identifies the four-year integrated B.Ed as the preferred minimum qualification for school teachers by 2030. The proposed changes are intended to bring existing recruitment rules in line with this broader policy direction.

Why Are CTET and STET Rules Being Reviewed?

CTET and STET are eligibility examinations for candidates seeking teaching positions under the relevant central and state recruitment systems. CTET is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). It has two papers: Paper I for candidates seeking to teach Classes 1 to 5, and Paper II for those seeking to teach Classes 6 to 8. State Teacher Eligibility Tests are conducted by the respective state authorities. Their rules and examination arrangements may differ from one state to another.

The existing eligibility framework recognizes several teacher education qualifications, including Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed), Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed), B.Ed and certain integrated teacher education courses, subject to the prescribed conditions. However, ITEP is not explicitly listed as a separate eligibility pathway in the current framework. The second committee will examine how the four-year degree can be included in the CTET and STET guidelines.

What Does This Mean for ITEP Students?

If the proposed amendments are accepted and formally notified, ITEP graduates could gain a recognized route to appear for the relevant teacher eligibility examinations and apply for eligible school teaching positions. This is particularly important for the first batch, which is expected to graduate in May–June 2027.

Without changes to the existing rules, students could face uncertainty about whether their degree meets the requirements for teaching examinations and recruitment. However, qualifying CTET or STET does not guarantee a teaching job. Candidates will still have to meet the educational, subject-related and other conditions prescribed by the recruiting authority.