How to Become a Government Teacher in India

Pursuing a career as a government teacher in India is a respected and fulfilling choice. It involves meeting specific educational qualifications along with fulfilling specific criteria. Teachers are the building blocks for molding the educational foundation of young students and shaping their future. Teaching is a popular career option in India and every year hundreds of teachers are recruited in various state and central government schools across the country.  

In this post, we will discuss how to become a government teacher and the various steps that candidates can take to fulfill their teaching job aspirations. 

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What are the Different Types of Government Teaching Positions?

There are some specific types of government teaching positions available for candidates in India as mentioned below:

1. Pre-Primary Teachers: They teach students from nursery and kindergarten classes up to the primary school level. Children as young as three years old come under the guidance of these teachers. 

2. Primary Teachers (PRT): These government teachers teach students of classes one to five in primary schools to provide the creative minds with high-quality education using new and engaging methods.

3. Trained Graduate Teachers (TGT): The TGTs teach students from classes six to eight. They may gradually get promoted to teach students of up to ten grades with experience. 

4. Post-Graduate Teacher (PGT): PGTs teach senior secondary students studying in grades 10 to 12. These teachers are post-graduates in a specific subject and are qualified to teach their subject of specialization. 

Also read:- How to Become a Teacher?

How to Become a Government Teacher?

To become a government teacher, candidates need to be qualified accordingly. Here are some steps to follow to become a government teacher in India:

Step 1: Complete your basic qualification

1. A bachelor’s degree is the most basic government teacher qualification required in India. However, it depends on the teaching position you want to apply for, like Primary Teacher (PRT), Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT), or Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) as mentioned below:

2. Primary Teachers (PRTs): To become a primary teacher, candidates require at least a senior secondary school leaving certificate with at least 50% marks along with a Diploma in Elementary Education (DElEd) or a Bachelor of Elementary Education (BElEd). Many candidates also prefer to pursue a Diploma in Education (DEd). 

3. Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs): To become a TGT teacher, candidates need to complete a four-year integrated degree from a Regional College of Education of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) with a minimum of 50% marks. Alternatively, candidates can complete a bachelor's degree like BA or BSc in any subject. They also need a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree to become TGTs. These teachers generally teach the subject of specialization in their degree program. Candidates must have proficiency in English, Hindi, or a regional language to apply for this post.

4. Post Graduate Teacher (PRT): To become a PGT teacher, candidates need a bachelor's degree (like BA or BSc) and a postgraduate degree (like MA or MSc) in a relevant subject. PGTs generally pursue teaching careers in the subject of their specialization. They teach students of grades 10th to 12th. After post-graduation,  PGT aspirants must complete a BEd degree to apply for jobs in government schools. To advance your career and earnings, you can also pursue an MEd degree. You must be proficient in English, Hindi, or a regional language.

Step 2: Appear for Entrance Exam

1. After completing educational qualifications, it is important to appear for and clear the relevant state or central-level entrance exams to become government teachers. Candidates can appear for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) or State Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) to qualify for such jobs. CTET exams comprises two papers, paper I is for teaching grades 1-5, and Paper II is for grades 6-8. Appear for both the papers if you want to teach students from grades 1-8. PRT and TGT candidates can apply for CTET to work in central government schools or state TET for state government schools.   

2. The PGT exam is conducted by state governments by the Secondary Education Service Selection Board of particular states. Besides, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) also conduct such tests to hire teachers across India.

Step 3: Gain Practical Experience: You can develop teaching skills or gain experience by tutoring students. For professional experience, consider volunteering at an NGO to build connections.

Step 4: Apply for Additional Certifications: Though no extra certifications are required to become a government teacher, you can pursue them if you wish to boost your skills, such as Advanced Diploma in Nursery Teacher Training certification, Developing Strategies for Online Teaching certification, etc.

Step 5: Apply for Relevant Jobs: Once you have the qualifications and skills, you start sending applications for the post of teachers at different state and central government schools like KVS, NVS, etc.  

Conclusion 

Becoming a government teacher in India requires three things; the right qualifications, clearing the relevant entrance exam, and a passion for teaching. Candidates with dedication and a zeal for continuous learning can build a rewarding career in teaching. If you are looking for bachelor’s and master’s degree courses to complete your basic requirements before applying for a teaching job in a government school, you can enroll for online UG and PG programs at Amity University Online. Being one of the best online education institutes, Amity Online offers several online degree courses suiting your preferences to fulfill your basic requirement of educational qualifications to become a government teacher. 

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