The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Assam, has opened online applications for admission to its two-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.) Course for the academic session 2026-2028. Aspiring elementary school teachers must submit their applications by June 10, 2026, for the Pre-Entry Test (PET)-2026 scheduled for July 12, 2026.
This admission cycle is crucial for individuals seeking to qualify as elementary school teachers in Assam, as the D.El.Ed. certification is mandatory for teaching at the primary and upper primary levels. The programme aims to enhance the professional competence of educators and improve the quality of elementary education across the state.
What was announced
SCERT, Assam, officially released the notification for the D.El.Ed. admission for the 2026-2028 academic session on May 21, 2026. The online application window commenced on the same date. Candidates who are permanent residents of Assam are eligible to apply for the course, which will be conducted in NCTE-recognized Teacher Education Institutes (TEIs) across the state.
The selection process for the D.El.Ed. course involves a Pre-Entry Test (PET)-2026. This examination is a 100-mark, multiple-choice question (MCQ) based test. District-wise merit lists will be prepared based on the marks secured by candidates in the PET. The admit cards for the PET-2026 will be available for download from July 5, 2026, onwards, from the official website.
Why it matters
The D.El.Ed. course plays a vital role in fulfilling the mandate of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which emphasizes the appointment of appropriately trained teachers. SCERT, Assam, as the state academic authority, is responsible for ensuring the quality of teacher education and school education in Assam.
The two-year full-time diploma programme, conducted in a regular face-to-face mode, is designed to equip prospective teachers with essential knowledge, skills, and professionalism. This includes developing an understanding of child development, classroom management, pedagogy, and the elementary school curriculum. The course also aims to sensitize teachers to factors influencing children’s learning and development, and to acquaint them with innovative teaching-learning processes.
With an intake capacity of 4,150 seats across 64 recognized Teacher Education Institutes (TEIs), including District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs), Normal Schools, and Basic Training Centres (BTCs), the admission drive addresses the ongoing demand for qualified elementary teachers in Assam. These institutions are crucial for preparing a competent teaching workforce for the state’s elementary schools.
Background
The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Assam, established in 1985, functions as the academic think tank for school education in the state. Its mandate includes formulating academic policies, developing curricula and textbooks, conducting educational research, and designing teacher training programmes.
The D.El.Ed. course, specifically for pre-service teacher training, was introduced in Assam in January 2012, in alignment with the provisions of the RTE Act, 2009. Prior to this, various teacher training initiatives, including Guru Training Schools and Basic Training Centres (BTCs), have been part of Assam’s educational history, aiming to professionalize the teaching cadre. The Pre-Entry Test (PET) for D.El.Ed. admissions has been a mandatory component since 2016, following the recommendations of the Justice Verma Commission.
Assam’s education sector has faced several challenges, including a lack of trained teachers, particularly in rural areas, and issues with retention rates at the elementary level, as highlighted in a 2021 report by the Assam State Primary Teachers’ Association. The state government and educational bodies like SCERT are continuously working to overcome these challenges through initiatives like regular teacher training and recruitment drives.
Recently, Assam Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu has emphasized the government’s commitment to providing quality education and addressing teacher shortages. In November 2024, Minister Pegu announced plans to recruit 9,000 new teachers on a regular, permanent basis, underscoring the importance of a stable and qualified teaching workforce. Such recruitment drives often require candidates to possess relevant professional qualifications like the D.El.Ed.
Key details
The online application process for the SCERT Assam D.El.Ed. Admission 2026 commenced on May 21, 2026. The deadline for submitting online applications, along with the requisite fee, is June 10, 2026.
The Pre-Entry Test (PET)-2026 is scheduled to be conducted on July 12, 2026 (Sunday). Candidates can download their admit cards for the PET from the official website, scertpet.co.in, starting from July 5, 2026. The PET will be an OMR-based, offline examination. The results for the SCERT PET-2026 are expected to be declared by July 27, 2026.
The application fee for all categories of candidates is Rs. 600, payable online through various digital payment modes. The course duration is two years, spread across four semesters, with the academic session 2026-2028 commencing on July 1, 2026.
Candidates must be permanent residents of Assam. The minimum educational qualification requires applicants to have passed Higher Secondary (10+2) or an equivalent examination from a recognized board or council with at least 50 per cent marks in aggregate, excluding marks from any extra or optional subjects. A relaxation of five per cent marks in aggregate is applicable for candidates belonging to SC/ST(P)/ST(H) categories.
The age limit for applicants is a minimum of 18 years and a maximum of 34 years as on July 1, 2026. A relaxation of two years in the upper age limit is provided for SC, ST(P), and ST(H) categories.
What’s next
Following the application deadline, aspiring teachers will focus on preparing for the Pre-Entry Test (PET)-2026. Previous year question papers for the SCERT Assam D.El.Ed. PET are available online and can be valuable resources for preparation. The PET will determine admission to the D.El.Ed. course, which is a foundational step for those aiming for a career in elementary education in Assam.
After the declaration of results on July 27, 2026, successful candidates will proceed with the admission formalities to their allotted Teacher Education Institutes. The academic session for the 2026-2028 batch is set to begin on July 1, 2026.