Particulars of Organization, Functions and Duties

Objective/Purpose of the NCTE
To achieve planned and coordinated development of Teacher Education system throughout the country, regulation and proper maintenance of norms and standards in teacher education system and the matters connected therewith.
Brief History of creation of NCTE
Keeping in view the recommendations of the Education Commission (1964-66) Government of India through a resolution, set up National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) in the year 1973 to advise the Central and State Governments on all matters relating to teacher education. Secretarial support to the non-statutory NCTE so set up in 1973 was provided by NCERT.
NCTE created nation wide awareness on issues relating to teacher education and developed a “National Framework for Teacher Education Curriculum” in the year 1978. Regulatory functions like prevention of proliferation of sub-standard teacher education institutions/programmes, maintenance of norms and standards etc. could, however, not be undertaken by the NCTE being a non-statutory body.
As per recommendations of the National Policy on Education (NPE) 1986 and the Programme of Action (POA), 1992, a need was felt to upgrade the National Council for Teacher Education, as an autonomous statutory body with a view to giving it necessary capability and powers to regulate institutions of teacher education and to provide guidance to them in the matter of curricula and methods. Accordingly, National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) Act was passed in the year 1993 and NCTE as an autonomous body with a statutory status came into existence with effect from August 17, 1995.
Duties of NCTE
Planned and coordinated development of Teacher Education system throughout the country, regulation and proper maintenance of norms and standards in teacher education system and the matters connected therewith.
Main Activities/Functions
The Council undertakes following functions :-

1. Recognition of various teacher training courses based on application submitted by the institutions concerned in the prescribed proforma and along with the requisite documents.
2. undertake surveys and studies relating to various aspects of teacher education and publish the result thereof;
3. make recommendations to the Central and State Governments, Universities, University Grants Commission and recognized institutions in the matter of preparation of suitable plans and programmes in the field of teacher education;
4. Co-ordinate and monitor teacher education and its development in the country;
5. Lay down guidelines in respect of minimum qualifications for a person to be employed as a teacher in schools or in recognized institutions;
6. Lay down norms for any specified category of courses or trainings in teacher education, including the minimum eligibility criteria for admission thereof, and the method of selection of candidates, duration of the course, course contents and mode of curriculum;
7. Lay down guidelines for compliance by recognized institutions, for starting new courses or training, and for providing physical and instructional facilities, staffing pattern and staff qualifications;
8. Lay down standards in respect of examinations leading to teacher education qualifications, criteria for admission to such examinations and schemes of courses or training;
9. Lay down guidelines regarding tuition fees and other fees chargeable by recognized institutions;
10. Promote and conduct innovation and research in various areas of teacher education and disseminate the results thereof;
11. Examine and review periodically the implementation of the norms, guidelines and standards laid down by the Council, and to suitably advise the recognized institutions;
12. Evolve suitable performance appraisal systems, norms and mechanisms for enforcing accountability on recognized institutions;
13. Formulate schemes for various levels of teacher education and identify recognized institutions and set up new institutions for teacher development programmes.
14. Take all necessary steps to prevent commercialization of teacher education; and
15. Perform such other functions as may be entrusted to it by the Central Government.