Another IIT, 5 DU colleges to launch ITEP courses in 2026 even as seats go vacant in top institutes
As the Indian education landscape continues to evolve, the Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad is set to become the fifth IIT to offer the Integrated Teachers Education Programme (ITEP), starting from the 2026-27 academic year. This initiative comes at a time when several institutes, including IIT Kharagpur and IIT Bhubaneswar, have reported vacant seats in their teacher training courses.
Overview of the Integrated Teachers Education Programme (ITEP)
The ITEP was introduced as part of the reforms outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The programme aims to enhance teacher education by integrating a Bachelor’s degree with a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree, allowing students to complete their education in four years. The degrees offered include BA.BEd, BSc.BEd, and BCom.BEd, depending on the subjects chosen.
New Institutions Offering ITEP
In addition to IIT ISM Dhanbad, several colleges from the University of Delhi (DU) are joining the list of institutions offering the ITEP. These include:
- Miranda House
- Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR)
- Aditi Mahavidyalaya
- Institute of Home Economics
- Gargi College
These institutions will offer various specializations, with Miranda House providing both BA.BEd and BSc.BEd for the secondary stage. Aditi Mahavidyalaya will uniquely offer a foundational stage programme alongside a secondary one.
Challenges Faced by IITs Offering ITEP
Despite the introduction of the ITEP, some IITs have expressed concerns regarding the implementation of the programme. During a meeting of the IIT Council, the director of IIT Jodhpur highlighted “major challenges” in running the ITEP and requested additional support from the Ministry of Education.
Data from the first two years of the programme at various IITs indicates that many institutes have struggled to fill all available seats. For instance, IIT Kharagpur and IIT Bhubaneswar have not filled their allotted 50 seats, while IIT Ropar, which began with 21 seats, has increased its capacity to 50 but still faces challenges in enrollment.
Enrollment Statistics
The following table summarizes the sanctioned and filled seats for the ITEP courses at selected IITs:
| IIT | 2023-24 Sanctioned | 2023-24 Filled | 2024-25 Sanctioned | 2024-25 Filled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIT Kharagpur | 50 | 47 | 50 | 48 |
| IIT Bhubaneshwar | 50 | 49 | 50 | 44 |
| IIT Ropar | – | 21 | 50 | 18 |
Reasons for Vacant Seats
Officials from IIT Kharagpur have attributed some of the vacant seats to delays in the admission process caused by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The NTA is responsible for conducting the National Common Entrance Test (NCET) for ITEP admissions, and delays in providing overall scores and ranks have led to complications in the counseling process.
Focus of the ITEP Project
The ITEP project appears to be disproportionately focused on training teachers for the secondary education stage. Out of the 223 institutions currently offering the ITEP, the majority cater to secondary education, with only a small number addressing the foundational stage for primary education (up to Class 2). Specifically, only eight institutions provide ITEP programmes for primary school teachers.
Furthermore, the BCom.BEd specialization has seen limited interest, with only 27 institutions offering this option compared to over 50% of programmes being BA.BEd.
Future of ITEP at IITs and DU
As more institutions, particularly from DU, begin to offer ITEP courses, the landscape of teacher education in India is set to change significantly. The integration of teacher training with undergraduate degrees aims to produce well-rounded educators equipped to meet the challenges of modern classrooms.
While the IITs continue to face challenges in enrollment and implementation, the overall goal of enhancing teacher quality through the ITEP remains a priority. The Ministry of Education’s support will be crucial in addressing the issues raised by various IITs and ensuring the success of the programme.
Note: The information provided in this article is based on the latest updates available as of April 2026. For further developments, readers are encouraged to follow official announcements from relevant educational institutions and authorities.
