Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Prospects, Challenges and Institutional Readiness

Abstract

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 introduced the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) as a landmark reform in India’s teacher education system. ITEP is a four-year dual-degree programme that integrates subject-specific knowledge with pedagogical training, replacing the traditional two-year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) for aspiring school teachers. This paper critically examines the prospects, challenges, and institutional readiness associated with ITEP's implementation across India. Adopting a policy analysis framework and drawing on secondary sources including government documents, NCTE guidelines, and recent academic literature, the study highlights ITEP's potential to attract motivated candidates early into the teaching profession, strengthen pedagogical foundations, and align Indian teacher preparation with global best practices. Simultaneously, the paper identifies significant challenges including regulatory coordination gaps, limited institutional infrastructure, equity and access concerns, and a persistent policy-practice divide. The paper concludes with recommendations for policymakers, regulatory bodies, and institutions to ensure that ITEP achieves its transformative objectives under NEP 2020.