Bihar Education Department Sets Deadline for Untrained Teachers to Complete D.El.Ed Course

The Bihar Education Department has set a deadline for untrained teachers to complete their D.El.Ed qualification by August 31, 2028. This decision follows a Supreme Court ruling and aims to clarify the status of teachers appointed before and after March 31, 2015. Teachers in service by the cut-off date are granted a final opportunity to fulfill their training requirements, while those appointed after this date without the necessary qualifications face invalidation of their appointments. The directives also include provisions for reinstating previously terminated teachers, ensuring they can benefit from the extended timeline to complete their training.

By Ambika Singh Oct 2, 2026, 21:08 IST

New Directives for Untrained Teachers in Bihar

The Bihar Education Department has announced updated guidelines concerning untrained teachers. According to the new directives, March 31, 2015, is established as the critical cut-off date.

Elementary school teachers who were employed before this date are allowed until August 31, 2028, to fulfill the required training qualification by completing the D.El.Ed (Diploma in Elementary Education) course. No further extensions will be permitted beyond this date.

On the other hand, any appointments made after March 31, 2015, without the necessary training qualifications will be considered invalid. The District Education Officer has been directed to initiate termination proceedings for such appointments as per the established regulations. It is important to note that obtaining a D.El.Ed degree after the fact will not legitimize these appointments.

Background of the Directives

These directives stem from a Supreme Court ruling dated July 28, 2026. Kumar Nishant Vivek, the Director of Primary Education, has communicated with all District Magistrates, urging them to take appropriate actions. This directive allows teachers who were in service as of March 31, 2015, but lacked training, to complete the mandatory D.El.Ed qualification by the set deadline.

Consequences for Untrained Teachers

The Education Department has reiterated its stance on appointments made post-March 31, 2015. Any primary teacher hired after this date without the required training will have their appointment deemed invalid. District Magistrates have been instructed to finalize the termination of such teachers' services. Importantly, even if a teacher later obtains the D.El.Ed qualification, their appointment will still not be recognized as valid if it was made after the cut-off date.

Reinstatement of Previously Terminated Teachers

These new decisions also offer relief to teachers appointed before March 31, 2015. Some of these untrained teachers had their services terminated following a Patna High Court order on March 20, 2024. In light of the Supreme Court's recent ruling, instructions have been issued to reinstate these teachers. District Education Officers are tasked with ensuring these teachers can benefit from the time allotted to complete their D.El.Ed qualification.

Overview of the Situation

This issue revolves around the training qualifications of primary school teachers who began their service without the D.El.Ed qualification. The main concern was how much additional time could be granted for these teachers to obtain the necessary training and the status of those appointed after March 31, 2015. The Education Department's directives now provide a final opportunity for untrained teachers in service by the cut-off date to complete their D.El.Ed course. Previous orders had mandated the termination of services for those who did not meet the qualification within the specified timeframe, which led to legal challenges. Following the Supreme Court's order on July 28, 2026, the Bihar Education Department has established a clear action plan for the districts.