NIOS to Introduce Mandatory Bridge Course for B.Ed. Qualified Teachers

The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is launching a mandatory six-month bridge course for B.Ed. qualified assistant teachers in primary schools, following a Supreme Court directive. With over 66,000 teachers registered, the course aims to meet essential qualification requirements. The training will be conducted online and through distance learning, with a schedule to be announced soon. This initiative is crucial for teachers appointed between June 28, 2018, and August 11, 2023, as failure to complete the course could invalidate their appointments. Stay tuned for more updates on this important educational development.

By Ambika Singh Sep 7, 2026, 15:06 IST

Introduction of the Bridge Course

An important announcement has been made regarding B.Ed. qualified assistant teachers in primary education. Following a directive from the Supreme Court, the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) will initiate a mandatory six-month bridge course for these educators. This training is essential to meet the qualification standards required for teaching at the primary level. NIOS reports that 66,154 B.Ed. teachers nationwide have enrolled for this course, with Uttar Pradesh having the highest number of registrations. The course will be offered online and through distance learning, with the schedule to be announced shortly.

Registration Statistics

**Over 66,000 Teachers Registered**
A total of 66,154 teachers have signed up for this specialized training program organized by NIOS. Uttar Pradesh tops the list with 33,640 registrations, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 10,650, Bihar with 7,569, and West Bengal with 6,627. Additionally, 1,376 teachers from Assam and 1,208 from Chhattisgarh have also registered.

Eligibility for the Course

**Which Teachers Must Take the Course?**
This bridge course is compulsory for B.Ed.-qualified assistant teachers who were appointed in primary schools between June 28, 2018, and August 11, 2023. In line with the Supreme Court's ruling, these teachers must complete the required training.

Course Duration and Requirements

The course spans six months and must be completed within one year from the official start date. If a teacher fails to finish the course within this timeframe, their appointment may be rendered invalid.

Upcoming Schedule Announcement

**Full Schedule to be Released Soon**
Approval for this training was granted by state governments approximately four months ago. However, some teachers had previously filed petitions in the Supreme Court requesting exemptions from the bridge course. With these petitions resolved, the training can now proceed. Alok Kumar Gupta, Deputy Director of the Capacity Building Cell at NIOS in Noida, stated that preparations for online and distance learning courses are complete, and the training schedule will be announced soon.