The B Ed course duration is 2 years for the regular programme, and you join it after graduation. B.Ed (Bachelor of Education) is the professional degree you need to teach classes 6 to 12 in most schools, and it is required for CTET Paper 2 and for TGT and PGT posts. This page covers B Ed course details: eligibility, the B Ed entrance exam, subjects, fees, the integrated and one year options people ask about, and the jobs that follow.
The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) regulates the course. Only a B.Ed from an NCTE recognised institute is valid for teaching jobs, so check recognition before you pay any fee.
B Ed course duration: regular, integrated and one year
Many students ask, B.Ed kitne saal ka course hai? Here is the full picture.
| Type of B.Ed | Who joins | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Regular B.Ed | Graduates or postgraduates | 2 years (can be completed within a maximum of 3 years from admission) |
| Integrated Teacher Education Programme (BA B.Ed, B.Sc B.Ed, B.Com B.Ed) | Class 12 pass students | 4 years |
| Integrated B.Ed M.Ed | Graduates as per the university's rules | 3 years |
| B.Ed through open and distance learning | Trained in-service teachers as per NCTE norms | 2 years minimum |
So the BEd course duration is 2 years for most students, and 4 years if you take the integrated route straight after class 12.
Is there a 1 year BEd course?
The one year B.Ed was replaced by the 2 year programme under NCTE's regulations several years ago. NCTE has since proposed bringing back a one year B Ed course for students who have a 4 year bachelor's degree or a master's degree. Until it is notified and offered by your university, treat any "1 year B.Ed after PG" advert with caution. Check the current regulations on ncte.gov.in before you apply.
B Ed course eligibility and age limit
- For the 2 year B.Ed: a bachelor's or master's degree with at least 50% marks, as per NCTE norms. Students with B.E. or B.Tech need 55% with science and maths. Reserved categories get relaxation as per central or state government rules.
- For the 4 year integrated course: class 12 pass, with admission through the National Common Entrance Test (NCET) conducted by NTA for participating institutes.
- Age limit for B.Ed course: NCTE does not set a general upper age limit. Some state entrance tests may set a minimum age, so read the brochure.
Your graduation subjects decide which school subjects you can teach. A BA in history and political science prepares you for social science, a B.Sc with physics and maths for science and maths, and so on.
B Ed entrance exam and syllabus
Admission to the 2 year B.Ed is through a state level B.Ed exam in most states, run by a nominated university or the state's admission body. Some well known ones are the UP B.Ed JEE in Uttar Pradesh, the Bihar B.Ed CET, PTET in Rajasthan and the MAH B.Ed CET in Maharashtra. Central and some state universities hold their own tests. A few states admit on graduation merit.
The B Ed entrance exam syllabus is broadly similar across states:
- General knowledge and current affairs
- Teaching aptitude and attitude
- Logical reasoning and mental ability
- Hindi and English language
- Your graduation subject (arts, science, commerce or agriculture) in some states
The B Ed exam pattern is usually objective with multiple choice questions. The UP B Ed entrance exam, for example, has had two papers covering general knowledge, language, aptitude and the subject group. Paper pattern, negative marking, dates and the exam form change, so follow the official website of the conducting university. Two to four months of steady practice with previous papers is enough for most graduates.
B Ed course subjects and syllabus
NCTE's framework divides the B Ed course syllabus into theory, practicum and school internship. Exact paper names differ by university, but most cover:
| Year | Main B Ed course subjects |
|---|---|
| First year | Childhood and growing up; contemporary India and education; learning and teaching; language across the curriculum; understanding disciplines and subjects; pedagogy of a school subject (part 1); reading and reflecting on texts; drama and art in education |
| Second year | Knowledge and curriculum; assessment for learning; creating an inclusive school; gender, school and society; pedagogy of a school subject (part 2); ICT in education; optional course such as guidance and counselling or health and yoga |
| Across both years | School internship of several months, lesson plans, micro teaching, case studies of students and school observation |
Internship is the heart of the course. You teach real classes, make lesson plans, prepare teaching aids and write case studies. Many universities let students write the case study for B Ed in Hindi or English.
B Ed course fees in government and private colleges
| College type | Fee level for the 2 years |
|---|---|
| Government college or university department | Low, often a few thousand rupees a year |
| Government aided college | Moderate |
| Private self-financed college | Much higher, often set by the state fee committee |
B.Ed course fees in government college seats are the lowest, which is why those seats go to the top rankers. Government colleges cost much less than private ones. State fee regulation committees fix fees for private colleges in many states, so you can check the approved fee on the counselling website.
B Ed correspondence course and online B Ed course
This is where many students lose money. A B Ed correspondence course or distance B.Ed is allowed only for trained, working teachers who meet NCTE's conditions, and only from universities with NCTE recognition for distance mode. IGNOU and some state open universities offer it on these terms. A fresh graduate cannot normally join distance B.Ed.
A fully online B Ed course is not recognised by NCTE for teaching jobs, because the course needs school internship and practicals. If an institute promises an online B.Ed without attendance, walk away.
The B.Ed bridge course you may hear about is a different thing: it was meant for B.Ed holders who were appointed as primary teachers, to train them for classes 1 to 5. After court rulings, D.El.Ed is the main qualification for primary posts. Read the NTT and D.El.Ed page for that route.
B Ed jobs: after B.Ed how to get a government job
B.Ed alone does not give you a government job. You also need to clear an eligibility test and then a recruitment exam.
- Clear CTET Paper 2 or your state TET for classes 6 to 8. See CTET and TET.
- Apply for TGT posts (Trained Graduate Teacher) in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, state schools and other government schools. Central TGT posts are at Level 7, basic ₹44,900.
- With a master's degree plus B.Ed, apply for PGT (Post Graduate Teacher) for classes 11 and 12. Central PGT posts are at Level 8, basic ₹47,600.
- State teacher recruitment: each state has its own exam and pay scale. See government teacher.
In private schools, a B.Ed fresher often earns around ₹10,000 to ₹25,000 a month, depending on the city and the school. Experienced teachers with good subject knowledge can earn ₹30,000 to ₹60,000 or more in larger urban schools. Coaching and tuition can add income.
Higher study after B.Ed
After B.Ed you can do an M.Ed (2 years) to become a teacher educator, or a master's in your subject to qualify for PGT. With a master's degree and UGC NET, you can aim for college teaching. See UGC NET and assistant professor. If you have not yet chosen your graduation, compare BA and B.Sc options with teaching in mind.
Questions students ask
What is the B.Ed course duration?
The regular B.Ed takes 2 years after graduation and must be completed within 3 years from admission. The integrated BA B.Ed, B.Sc B.Ed and B.Com B.Ed programmes take 4 years after class 12.
Is a one year B Ed course available?
The regular B.Ed is currently 2 years. NCTE has proposed a one year B.Ed for those with a 4 year degree or a master's. Check ncte.gov.in and your university to see whether it is being offered before you apply.
What is the B Ed entrance exam syllabus?
Most state B.Ed entrance tests cover general knowledge, teaching aptitude, reasoning, Hindi and English, and in some states your graduation subject. Questions are objective. Check the latest brochure of your state's exam for the exact pattern.
What is the eligibility for B.Ed?
A bachelor's or master's degree with at least 50% marks, or 55% for B.E. or B.Tech with science and maths, as per NCTE norms. Reserved categories get relaxation as per government rules.
Can I do B.Ed by distance or online?
Distance B.Ed is meant for trained in-service teachers and is offered only by NCTE recognised open universities. A fully online B.Ed is not valid for teaching jobs.
After B.Ed how to get a govt job?
Clear CTET Paper 2 or your state TET, then apply for TGT posts in central or state schools. With a master's degree plus B.Ed you can also apply for PGT posts.
Sources and official websites
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources. Rules change with each notification, so always read the latest one before you apply.
- National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)
- National Testing Agency (NCET for integrated teacher education)
- Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET)
- Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
- Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
Last checked on 11 October. Spot an error? Tell us on the contact page.