Odisha Notifies NCET-Based Admission for 4-Year ITEP Programme

Bhubaneswar: Admissions to the 4-Year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) in Odisha for the academic session 2026–27 will be conducted through the National Common Entrance Test (NCET) 2026, organised by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha, has notified.

As per the public notice issued by NTA on February 12, online applications for NCET-2026 have opened from February 12 and will remain open till March 10, 2026. The computer-based test (CBT) is tentatively scheduled to be held on April 17, 2026 (Friday).

The NTA has been entrusted by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), Ministry of Education, Government of India, to conduct NCET for admissions into the 4-Year ITEP in selected Central and State Universities, including IITs, NITs, Regional Institutes of Education (RIEs), and Government Colleges across the country.

In Odisha, admission into the ITEP from the 2026–27 academic session onwards will be strictly based on NCET scores. The programme will be offered in five State Public Universities and eight Government Colleges, with a total sanctioned intake capacity of 1,300 seats.

Following the declaration of percentile-based scorecards by NTA, eligible candidates will be required to apply through the Student Academic Management System (SAMS) portal by entering their NCET scores and selecting their preferred institutions. Merit lists will be prepared on the basis of NCET percentile scores.

The Integrated Teacher Education Programme is a four-year dual-major undergraduate degree that integrates general education in Arts, Science or Commerce with professional teacher training. The programme aims to prepare future-ready teachers through a strong foundation in subject knowledge, pedagogy, and practical training.

Meanwhile, admissions to the 2-Year B.Ed., M.Ed., and B.H.Ed. programmes in Odisha will continue to be conducted through the existing SAMS process. Eligible candidates for these courses will have to appear in the entrance examination conducted by the State Selection Board (SSB), Odisha.