What does a School Teacher do?
School teachers plan lessons, teach classes and help children learn and grow. In India most posts need a graduate degree with a B.Ed and, for Classes 1 to 8, a pass in a Teacher Eligibility Test.
A school teacher prepares lessons, teaches in class, checks homework and tests, keeps records and meets parents. Teachers also run activities, clubs and events.
In India teachers work in government, aided and private schools, Kendriya and Navodaya Vidyalayas and coaching or online learning platforms.
How to get there
- Class 10Do well in the subjects you enjoy
- Class 11–12Choose a stream that matches the subject you want to teach
- UGComplete a BA, B.Sc or B.Com in your teaching subject
- B.EdComplete the two-year B.Ed (institutions such as RIE Mysuru ask for 50% in the bachelor's or master's degree)
- First roleClear CTET or a state TET where required and join a school as a teacher
- Subjects in Classes 11–12
- English, Mathematics, Science, Arts and Humanities
- Streams
- Science (PCM), Science (PCB), Commerce, Arts/Humanities
- Minimum education
- UG
Courses that lead here
Bachelor of Education
B.Ed is a two-year professional teacher-training degree taken after graduation. It is the standard qualification for school teaching jobs in India.
Bachelor of Arts
BA is a broad undergraduate degree in subjects such as English, history, political science, economics, psychology and languages. It leads to careers…
Master of Arts
MA is a postgraduate degree in a humanities or social science subject such as English, History, Economics, Political Science or Sociology.
Bachelor of Science
B.Sc is an undergraduate science degree in subjects such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, computer science and statistics. It leads to research,…
Master of Commerce
M.Com is a two-year postgraduate degree in commerce covering accounting, finance, marketing, HR and international business.
Master of Science
M.Sc is a postgraduate science degree in subjects such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, life sciences, agriculture or nursing. It builds the base…
Further study
Colleges for these courses
Dharma Samaj College
Maharaja Surajmal Institute
Shaheed Mangal Pandey Government Girls PG College, Meerut
Gandhi Memorial National College, Ambala Cantt
Government College for Girls, Ludhiana
Government Ripudaman College, Nabha
Skills you need
- Assessment
- Classroom management
- Communication
- Lesson planning
- Subject knowledge
It suits people who are
- Patient
- Caring
- Organised
- Enthusiastic
Useful certifications
- Central Teacher Eligibility Test - CBSE (https://ctet.nic.in/introduction/)
Where you work and how you grow
Where people work
- Government schools
- Private schools
- Kendriya and Navodaya Vidyalayas
- Online learning platforms
Growth path
- Teacher → Senior teacher or subject head → Vice principal → Principal
Frequently asked questions
Is TET compulsory?
The CTET site says that under the RTE Act and NCTE notifications, passing a Teacher Eligibility Test is one of the essential requirements to be appointed as a teacher for Classes 1 to 8.
Who sets minimum qualifications for teachers?
The National Council for Teacher Education, a statutory body under the NCTE Act, 1993, lays down minimum qualifications for teachers in schools.
Sources
Information verified on 10 Oct 2026
- Introduction - National Council for Teacher Education · Official site, accessed 10 Oct 2026
- Introduction - Central Teacher Eligibility Test · Official site, accessed 10 Oct 2026
- Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) - Regional Institute of Education, Mysuru · Official site, accessed 10 Oct 2026
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