Elementary Teacher Training (ETT) is a 2-year UG diploma programme, commonly used as a course name in states such as Punjab. The standard NCTE name for elementary teacher education is D.El.Ed. (Diploma in Elementary Education).
- ETT Colleges in India – There are 30 ETT colleges in India, of which 29 colleges are privately owned.
- Admission –Admission may be through a state/institution entrance test, merit, counselling or an institution-specific process.
- Eligibility Criteria- Students who have passed Class 12 from a recognised board can apply from any background (Arts, Commerce and Science). Also, the minimum marks may vary from a simple pass to around 50% or more depending on the institution.
- Course Scope - It covers child development, pedagogy, teaching methods, classroom management, language and subject teaching, assessment and school-based practical training.
Course Highlight
| Colleges | Total Course Fees | Specialisation Areas | Average Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guru Kashi University Bathinda, BFGI Bathinda, DBU Gobindgarh | Approx. INR 40,000–INR 1.28 Lakh | Elementary Education, Child Development, Pedagogy, Language Teaching, Mathematics/EVS Teaching, School Internship | Approx. INR 1.8–3.5 LPA |
Quick Facts
- Duration: 2 years, the semester/year structure varies by state and institution
- Eligibility: Class 12, many institutions specify around 50% marks. Exact criteria vary.
- Entrance Exam: No single national ETT entrance exam. State/institution-level tests may apply.
- Selection: Entrance score, Class 12 merit, state selection process, counselling or institution-specific selection
- Government Institution Fee Range: INR 60K (Swami Dayanand College of Education, Bathinda)
- Private Institution Fee Range: INR 40K (DAV College of Education, Abohar) – INR 1.28 Lakh (Rani Avantibai Lodhi Institute of Higher Education College, Firozabad)
- Admission Season: Commonly April–July, but dates vary by state and institution.
Top Entrance Exams
| Exam / Route | Top Colleges / Institutes | Selection Process | Application Deadline (tentative) | Exam / Selection Date (tentative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan Pre-D.El.Ed. (BSTC) | Govt. & private D.El.Ed. colleges, Rajasthan | Exam - Merit - Counselling - Seat Allotment | Apr 2027 | May 2027 |
| Bihar D.El.Ed. JET | Govt. & private D.El.Ed. colleges, Bihar | Exam - Rank - Counselling - Seat Allotment | Jan 2027 | Mar–Apr 2027 |
| Assam D.El.Ed. PET | DIETs & recognised D.El.Ed institutes, Assam | PET - Merit - Counselling - Admission | Jul–Aug 2027 | Sep 2027 |
| SCERT Delhi D.El.Ed. CBT | SCERT Delhi DIETs | CBT - Rank - Counselling - Allotment | May 2027 | May–Jun 2027 |
| AP DEECET | DIETs & participating D.El.Ed colleges, Andhra Pradesh | Exam - Rank - Web Options - Allotment | Apr–May 2027 | May–Jun 2027 |
| TG DEECET | DIETs & participating D.El.Ed. colleges, Telangana | Exam - Rank - Web Options - Allotment | May–Jun 2027 | Jun–Jul 2027 |
NOTE: DIET stands for District Institute of Education and Training.

Important Admission Exam Note
- PSTET is not an ETT admission examination. It is a Teacher Eligibility Test used for teacher eligibility/recruitment and should not be treated as the entrance exam for admission to the ETT course.
- In several states, ETT admission is conducted through merit and state counselling rather than a separate national entrance examination.
- Delhi is a verified example where SCERT conducts a CBT-based D.El.Ed admission process.
- 2027 ETT entrance schedules are not yet officially announced nationally.
Ques. What jobs can one get after ETT?
Ans. Common options include primary teacher, elementary teacher, assistant teacher, teaching assistant, tutor, academic-support professional and education-content roles.
Ques. Can I become a government teacher after ETT?
Ans. ETT can be one of the prescribed qualifications for elementary teaching posts. Still, government recruitment also has separate requirements such as TET qualification, prescribed subjects, age limits and state-specific rules. The exact eligibility must be checked in the recruitment notification.
Ques. Is TET compulsory after ETT?
Ans. TET requirements depend on the specific teaching post and recruitment rules. ETT/D.El.Ed is a training qualification; it should not be treated as equivalent to passing a Teacher Eligibility Test.
Ques. What is the difference between ETT and D.El.Ed.?
Ans. In current usage, ETT is commonly used as an alternative/local name for elementary teacher training, while D.El.Ed is the standard NCTE programme nomenclature for Diploma in Elementary Education.
Ques. What is the difference between ETT and B.Ed?
Ans. ETT is a 2-year elementary teacher-training diploma generally entered after Class 12. B.Ed. is a teacher-education degree normally pursued after graduation, as per the applicable rules.
Ques. Can I do B.Ed after ETT?
Ans. Eligibility depends on the B.Ed programme and the student's academic qualification. Since B.Ed generally requires graduation, ETT alone may not satisfy the eligibility requirement. Students should check the specific university's rules.
Ques. Is ETT suitable for primary teaching?
Ans. Yes. ETT is specifically designed around elementary-stage teacher preparation, including pedagogy and school-based practice.
Three Myths Busted
- Myth: ETT is a bachelor's degree.
- Fact: ETT is generally a 2-year UG-level diploma/certificate course, while the standard NCTE nomenclature is D.El.Ed.
- Myth: Every ETT college requires an entrance examination.
- Fact: Admission methods vary. Some institutions/states use entrance tests, while others use merit, counselling or state-prescribed selection procedures.
- Myth: Completing ETT automatically makes a student eligible for every government teaching job.
- Fact: Government teacher recruitment has separate eligibility conditions, which may include TET qualification, prescribed academic qualifications, age limits and state-specific recruitment rules.
Types of Admission Routes in India
| Admission Routes | Detail |
|---|---|
| State-Level Entrance Examination |
|
| University-Level Entrance Examination |
|
| Institute-Level Entrance Examination |
|
| Merit-Based Admission |
|
| Direct Admission |
|
Ques. What is the salary after ETT?
Ans. A broad early-career range is approximately INR 1.5–3.5 LPA, depending on the school, location, role and experience. Salary data for primary teacher roles show a wider INR 1–5 LPA range across experience levels.
Ques. What is the ETT admission process for 2027?
Ans. The process will depend on the state and institution. It may include Class 12 eligibility, application, entrance examination or merit selection, rank list, counselling, document verification and fee payment. 2027 schedules are not yet officially announced nationally.
Ques. Can I pursue higher studies after ETT?
Ans. Yes. Students can pursue a bachelor's degree after ETT through eligible integrated teacher-education programmes or other academic pathways. After obtaining the required graduation qualification, students can consider B.Ed or relevant postgraduate programmes.
Ques. Is ETT a good option for government teaching jobs?
Ans. ETT/D.El.Ed can be relevant for elementary teacher recruitment where it is prescribed, but recruitment normally requires additional conditions such as TET and the qualifications specified in the particular government notification.
Top ETT Colleges in India
| Top Colleges | Total Course Fee |
|---|---|
| Guru Kashi University, Bathinda | INR 80 K |
| Baba Farid Group of Institutions, Bathinda | INR 60 K |
| Desh Bhagat University, Gobindgarh | INR 95.2 K |
| Swami Dayanand College of Education, Bathinda | INR 60 K |
| Babe Ke College of Education, Firozpur | INR 60 K |
| Guru Nanak College of Education, Hoshiarpur | INR 40 K |
| Sri Sai College of Education, Pathankot | INR 88 K |
| Doaba Group of Colleges, Mohali | INR 88 K |
| ASRA Group of Institutions, Sangrur | INR 88 K |
Scholarships
- Merit-based scholarships: Some private institutions provide fee concessions based on Class 12 marks or academic performance. Eligibility varies by institution.
- Government scholarships: Eligible ETT/D.El.Ed students can apply for applicable Central or State Government scholarship schemes through the relevant portals.
- Category-based scholarships: SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwD students may receive scholarships or fee concessions under applicable government/institution rules.
- Need-based support: Some institutions provide financial assistance or freeships to students meeting income-based criteria.
- Sports scholarships: Selected colleges may provide concessions to students with recognised sports achievements.
- Institution-specific scholarships: Private ETT institutions may publish their own merit or financial-assistance policies. Students should check the latest institutional notification before admission.
- State-specific support: State governments may provide scholarships or fee reimbursement for eligible students enrolled in recognised teacher-training programmes.
Scholarship amount, income limit, category eligibility and renewal rules vary by scheme and institution.
Career Opportunities After ETT
| Career Option | Average Salary (Approx. Starting Years) |
|---|---|
| Primary Teacher | INR 1.5–3.5 LPA |
| Elementary Teacher | INR 1.5–3.5 LPA |
| Assistant Teacher | INR 1.5–3.5 LPA |
| Private School Teacher | INR 1.5–3 LPA |
| Teaching Assistant | INR 1.2–3 LPA |
| Academic Support Executive | INR 1.8–3.5 LPA |
| Education Content Associate | INR 1.8–4 LPA |
| Tutor | INR 1.2–3.5 LPA |
| Remedial Teacher | INR 1.5–3.5 LPA |
| Education/NGO Field Worker | INR 1.8–3.5 LPA |
Popular Specialisation
| Popular Specialisation | Core Focus | Common Career Options |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Psychology | Child growth, learning behaviour and developmental needs | Primary Teacher, Remedial Teacher |
| Elementary Pedagogy | Teaching methods, lesson planning and classroom practices | Elementary Teacher, Assistant Teacher |
| Language Education | Language acquisition, reading, writing and communication | Language Teacher, Primary Teacher |
| Mathematics & EVS Teaching | Elementary mathematics, environmental studies and activity-based teaching | Primary Teacher, Academic Support |
| Inclusive Education | Diverse learners, inclusion and classroom support | Inclusive-Education Assistant, Teacher |
NCTE's elementary teacher-education framework includes pedagogy, child-centred learning and practice teaching as core parts of preparation for the elementary stage.
Higher Education Options
| Course | Duration |
|---|---|
| B.A./B.Com./B.Sc. | 3–4 years, depending on the programme |
| B. El.Ed. | 4 years |
| Integrated B.A., B.Ed./B.Sc., B.Ed. through ITEP | 4 years |
| B.Ed. | 2 years after graduation; eligibility varies. |
| M.Ed. | 2 years after eligible teacher-education qualification |
| M.A. Education / Education-related PG | 2 years; eligibility varies. |
| Teacher Eligibility/Recruitment Preparation | Exam-specific; no fixed course duration |
FAQs
Ques. Is there an entrance exam for ETT admission?
Ans. There is no single national entrance examination for ETT. Some states/institutions conduct entrance tests, while others use merit or state-level selection and counselling.
Ques. Is CUET-UG required for ETT?
Ans. No. CUET-UG is not a universal admission examination for ETT/D.El.Ed. Students should apply through the relevant state, SCERT or institution admission process.
Ques. Is SCERT Delhi D.El.Ed entrance applicable to ETT?
Ans. SCERT Delhi conducts a CBT-based admission process for D.El.Ed. This is a Delhi-specific admission route, not a national ETT examination.
Ques. What is the minimum percentage required for ETT?
Ans. A common eligibility benchmark is 50% in Class 12. Some institutions provide category-based relaxation. For example, Swami Dayanand College of Education states 50% for General candidates and 45% for SC/ST candidates.







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