More than 80% of applications for a mandatory teacher bridge course remain unverified by state authorities, despite an extended registration deadline of January 19, 2026 . The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) requires this six-month course for thousands of primary teachers. Out of 67,618 registered teachers, 53,924 applications are currently pending clearance at the state nodal officer level, posing a risk to their employment.
Mandatory Course Protects Primary Teacher Jobs
This bridge course, offered by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), became mandatory to protect the jobs of primary teachers appointed with a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree. A Supreme Court judgment on August 11, 2023, ruled B.Ed degree holders ineligible for teaching Classes 1 to 5. However, acknowledging that many teachers were already employed under previous rules, the Supreme Court in April 2024 ordered the NCTE to develop this course. It applies specifically to primary teachers appointed with a B.Ed degree between June 28, 2018, and August 11, 2023 .
High Verification Pendency Nationwide
State-level verification delays affect a significant majority of applicants. Uttar Pradesh leads with the highest number of registrations at 34,371 , and nearly 95% of these applications, or 32,538 , are pending. Madhya Pradesh and Bihar also show high pendency rates. Nationally, men constitute 54.84% ( 36,840 ) of applicants, women 45.15% ( 30,332 ), and six applicants identified as third gender. Most applications, 93.72% , are paid. The bridge course registration fee is Rs 25,000 , with an additional exam fee of Rs 600 per theory subject and Rs 250 for practicals.
| State | Applications | Verification Pending |
|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | 34,371 | 32,538 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 10,758 | 7,560 |
| Bihar | 7,995 | 7,131 |
| West Bengal | 6,632 | 3,910 |
| Chhattisgarh | 1,351 | 1,072 |
| Assam | 920 | 269 |
Course Content and Completion Requirements
The NCTE-mandated course is a 20-credit program designed to cover essential elementary education topics. These include curriculum development, teaching pedagogy, and assessment strategies for languages and mathematics. It also features a dedicated paper on child development and educational psychology. Participants must complete the course within one year. Practical requirements include at least 20 days of school experience in a primary setting and attending a minimum of 10 days of contact classes. An 80% attendance record is mandatory for the school experience component.
Evolution of Primary Teacher Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for primary teachers have changed significantly over time. Prior to 2018, only candidates with a Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) or equivalent were typically eligible. An NCTE gazette notification in 2010, amended on August 28, 2018, expanded this. It allowed graduates with at least 50% marks and a B.Ed degree to teach Classes 1 to 5, provided they completed a six-month bridge course within two years of appointment. This 2018 amendment was later challenged. In November 2021, the Rajasthan High Court ruled B.Ed candidates ineligible for primary teaching, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court in August 2023.
Supreme Court Mandates TET for Experienced Teachers
In a separate but related development, a 2025 Supreme Court ruling introduced another key requirement for teachers. It mandated that teachers with more than five years of service remaining must clear the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET). This directive aims to standardize teacher qualifications nationwide. However, this mandate has met with resistance from several state governments, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, who have expressed concerns or filed review petitions.