Odisha Higher Education Department Announces NCET 2026 Mandate for Teacher Education Admissions
The Higher Education Department of the Government of Odisha has made a significant announcement regarding teacher education admissions. Starting from the academic session 2026–27, admissions to the 4-Year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) will be conducted exclusively through the National Common Entrance Test (NCET) 2026.
National Testing Agency to Organize NCET 2026
According to an official notice released by the department, the NCET 2026 will be organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The department has clarified that from the 2026–27 academic year onward, admissions into the ITEP in Odisha will be based strictly on NCET percentile scores. This marks a formal shift from any previous state-level entrance mechanisms for this specific programme.
Application and Examination Schedule Details
The notification provides comprehensive details about the application schedule and examination timeline for aspiring candidates. Online applications for NCET 2026 are scheduled to commence on February 12, 2026. The deadline for submitting applications has been set as March 10, 2026.
The examination itself is tentatively scheduled to be conducted on April 17, 2026. The test will be administered in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, reflecting modern assessment practices. Candidates are directed to apply online through the official NCET portal hosted by the National Testing Agency.
Post-Results Admission Process
Following the declaration of NCET results, candidates must proceed with the admission process through the SAMS portal using their NCET scores. The department has emphasized that from 2026–27 onward, ITEP admissions in Odisha will not be conducted through any separate state-level entrance mechanism. Selection will depend entirely on NCET percentile performance, ensuring a standardized national benchmark for teacher education candidates.
Continuation of Existing Admission Routes for Other Courses
While implementing this new system for the 4-year ITEP, the department has assured that admissions for other teacher education programmes will continue through existing processes. Specifically, admissions for the 2-year B. Ed., M. Ed., and B. H. Ed. programmes will remain through the existing SAMS process conducted by the State Selection Board, Odisha.
The department has made it clear that admissions for the 4-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme starting from the 2026-27 academic session are exclusively via the NCET-based admission process. This strategic move aims to align Odisha's teacher education standards with national parameters while maintaining separate pathways for different programme durations.
