Is B.Ed required for teaching at all levels?

Pre-Primary Level

No, B.Ed is not mandatory for pre-primary teaching in India.

Pre-primary teaching focuses on child psychology, basic pedagogy, and early learning methods. These areas are not deeply covered in B.Ed. Instead, the qualifications you should go for are

• Nursery Teacher Training (NTT)

• Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)

• Montessori Training Program

• Diploma in Early Childhood Education

Primary Schools (Classes 1- 5)

B.Ed is not always required here. Traditionally, DElEd / BTC / JBT (Diploma in Elementary Education) worked. But since 2020, the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), proposed making an integrated B.Ed (a 4-year program) necessary for all school teaching levels. It’s in the future and hasn’t been enforced fully yet.

Teaching primary classes in government schools requires you to complete DElEd and CTET (Paper 1) or state TET. Private schools legally hire DElEd-qualified teachers for primary education, but B.Ed may also work.

Upper Primary (Classes 6- 8)

Usually Yes

The recognised path for government or CBSE schools is:

• B.Ed, plus

• CTET Paper 2 (or state TET)

A DElEd may also work if paired with CTET Paper 2, but B.Ed is the standard qualification.

Secondary (Classes 9- 10)

Yes. In almost all cases.

You must have completed B.Ed with a relevant subject combination for CBSE, ICSE, and State Board schools. For example, as a maths teacher, you must have studied B.Ed with Maths in graduation or postgraduation. Government school recruitment (like KVS, NVS, DSSSB) also requires B.Ed mandatorily for TGTs.

Senior Secondary (Classes 11- 12)

Yes along with additional qualifications

You must have completed B.Ed and a masters degree in the subject for postgraduate teacher (PGT) roles. Boards like CBSE, CISCE, KVS, NVS, State Boards strictly enforce this.

Colleges or Universities

No

College teaching requires expertise in a specific discipline, not school pedagogy, so B.Ed is not a must. Instead, Master’s degree with 55%+ (in relevant subject), NET / SET / SLET qualification, or a PhD (as per UGC norms) is required.

Coaching Institutions/ Ed-Tech/ Private Teaching Centers

No

These sectors hire based on subject knowledge, teaching ability, communication skills, and past performance. Degrees like BBA, BCom, BA, BSc, or even professionals (CA, engineers, designers) commonly teach in these institutions without B.Ed.

International Schools (IB, IGCSE)

Highly preferred but not always necessary

International boards often require a Bachelor’s degree in relevant subject and eaching qualification (B.Ed / PGCE / PGCTL). Some elite IB schools prefer teachers with Master’s degree(s), International teaching certificates, and B.Ed still being the standard pathway.

• Pre Primary - NTE/ ECCE

• Primary (1-5) - DElEd + CTET 1

• Upper Primary (6-8) - B.Ed or DElEd + CTET 2

• Secondary (9-10) - Mandatory B.Ed

• Senior Secondary (11-12) - PG + B.Ed Mandatory

• Low fee schools may accept B.Ed graduates.

• Mid-tier schools may prefer B.Ed for most classes.

• Premium CBSE/ ICSE schools strictly require B.Ed.

• International schools require B.Ed + international certification.