The National Conclave 2026 on Teacher Professional Standards took place at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut, Kerala. The conclave focused on the National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) and the National Mission for Mentoring (NMM) . NPST aims to define clear standards for teacher quality, while NMM seeks to establish a robust mentoring system for educators. The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) organized the event in collaboration with NIT Calicut.
The event aimed to build capacity and provide orientation for key education officials. Participants included representatives from State Directorates of School Education, State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs), and District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs). State/UT Nodal Officers also attended, receiving institutional support related to the new standards and mentoring initiatives.
Principals and teachers from various central and CBSE-affiliated schools also participated. These included educators from Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools. They engaged in live demonstrations and registered on the NPST and NMM online portals, gaining hands-on experience with the platforms.
Program Highlights
The conclave’s program featured several technical sessions. These sessions covered the conceptual framework of NPST and detailed implementation strategies for its adoption across states. Live portal demonstrations and self-assessment modules were also included, offering practical training. Attendees engaged in expert presentations, group discussions, and structured feedback mechanisms to refine the implementation approach.
Officials and stakeholders from eight specific regions attended the conclave. These regions were Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Their participation aimed to ensure regional perspectives informed the national rollout.
Conclave Outcomes and Policy Alignment
The conclave is expected to strengthen institutional readiness for both NPST and NMM. A primary goal is to develop State/UT-level key resource persons who can further train educators in their respective regions. The event will also provide actionable inputs for broader reforms within teacher education across the country.
An official press release from the NCTE outlined its role. It stated that NPST and NMM are key initiatives for the planned and coordinated development of teacher education. These efforts directly align with the overarching objectives of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) , which emphasizes improving teacher quality and professional development.
NCTE Chairperson Pankaj Arora addressed the attendees. He emphasized that building stakeholder capacity is essential for NPST and NMM’s effective nationwide rollout. Arora stated these initiatives align with NEP 2020’s objectives, which seek to modernize and strengthen India’s education system. He added that these efforts “reaffirm the national resolve towards the goal of Viksit Bharat @2047.”