A D.El.Ed. course, also known as the Diploma in Elementary Education, is a 2-year diploma program that can be pursued part-time or full-time. The D.El.Ed. syllabus is designed to integrate theoretical knowledge and skill development comprehensively, encompassing a wide range of teaching and elementary education topics. D.El.Ed. fees in India range from INR 12,000 to INR 1,50,000, and the top colleges offering this course currently include Chembur Sarvankash Shikshan Shastra Mahavidyalaya, Mirza Ghalib Teacher's Training College, Integral University, Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Education, and Jamia Milia Islamia.
To be eligible to apply for the course, candidates must have completed their 10+2 studies in any stream from a recognized board with at least a 45%-50% score. While some Indian colleges have merit-based requirements for the D.El.Ed. course, a few additionally utilize entrance exams such as the JMI entry Exam, IUET, SCERT D.El.Ed. entrance exam, and AP DEECET to evaluate a candidate's eligibility for the same.
D.El.Ed. graduates are in high demand in the education sector as primary or pre-primary teachers, and some other leading job options for them include Curriculum Coordinator, Academic Facilitator, Educational Policy Analyst, Principal (Elementary School), and Teacher Training Consultant. The average entry-level D.El.Ed. job salary may range between INR 2.5-4 LPA, while the experienced level salary may range from INR 12-18+ LPA.
Table of Contents
D.El.Ed. Highlights Table
Listed below are the key highlights of the 2-year D.El.Ed. course:
What is D.El.Ed.?
A Diploma in Elementary Education is a 2 year diploma program that is further divided into 4 semesters at the majority of Indian colleges. The NCTE-accredited course curriculum includes a mix of core courses, methodological subjects, and school internship opportunities, with the goal of enabling learners to develop expertise in effective teaching methodologies, pedagogical tactics, and classroom management.
- Throughout the course of study, learners are taught about the various concepts of child development and the elements that influence learning, with a focus on knowledge acquisition, literacy development, and effective teaching techniques.
- They are also taught to utilize various educational technology tools such as smart boards, as well as creative and artistic activities designed to make learning more exciting for children.
- All of this is paired with school-based training and internship opportunities, which allow students to interact with experienced teachers and gain hands-on experience through teaching practice and classroom observation in a real-world setting.
Why Study D.El.Ed.?
The curriculum of the D.El.Ed. course is highly practical and assists students in developing industry-relevant skills in classroom teaching and management, assessment and evaluation, child psychology, and communication. Pursuing this 2-year course, thus, offers numerous benefits, including:
- Practical skill development: The course is relatively more practical in nature and provides skill development training and internship opportunities for learners in the domains of child psychology, pedagogy, and teaching techniques.
- Government job opportunities: The course covers topics that closely correlate with the syllabus of government job examinations, such as CTET and State TET. This makes it easier for diploma graduates to pass these competitive exams due to a solid foundation of fundamental topics gained through diploma study.
- Early professional start: In contrast to a 4-year bachelor's degree in elementary education, the course focuses highly on practical skill development in elementary education, thereby enabling diploma holders to start their professional careers considerably earlier than those following the undergraduate course route.
- Scope for meaningful contribution: The majority of job opportunities for graduates are in rural schools and NGOs that work to improve access to education in underprivileged areas of society, allowing course graduates to make significant contributions to the welfare of society.
Who Should Study D.El.Ed.?
The course is ideal for individuals who want to advance their professional careers as primary or pre-primary teachers, or in other similar areas of the education industry. Aside from that, the following individuals can also consider taking this 2-year comprehensive program:
- Those who have completed their 10+2 from a recognized board with a minimum of 45%-50% score.
- Working professionals who wish to transition their careers to teaching professions or in education and related industries.
- Individuals who want to develop an industry-relevant skill set for the teaching profession in a shorter time frame than a traditional bachelor's degree.
- Individuals aiming to appear for competitive exams like CTET or State TET for permanent teaching jobs in the government sector.
D.El.Ed. Eligibility Criteria
To secure a spot in the course at the top Indian colleges, candidates are required to meet certain eligibility conditions, which, while being nearly identical, might at times differ slightly from college to college. A detailed breakdown of the D.El.Ed. eligibility criteria are as follows:
- Candidates must have completed 10+2 in any stream from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate score of 45%-50%.
- Some colleges/universities only accept bachelor's degree graduates in this course. Candidates must have at least a 45% score in the same field, and their degree can be in any discipline.
- The minimum mark requirements may vary among colleges. Generally, candidates in the reserved category receive a 5% relaxation.
- The age limit for the course is usually between 18-35 years.
- Some colleges also require candidates to pass the necessary state or university-level entrance exams, such as JMI Entrance Exam, IUET, and SCERT D.El.Ed. entrance exam and AP DEECET.
D.El.Ed. Entrance Exams 2025
Some institutes prefer to determine eligibility based on a candidate’s performance in specific state or university-level entrance exams. The table below represents the top entrance exams for the course, along with their key details:
D.El.Ed. Colleges in India
Several public and private colleges and universities in India offer this 2-year comprehensive study program. Some of the top D.El.Ed. colleges are listed below, together with the essential course-specific details:
D.El.Ed. Admission Process 2025
The candidates need to follow a simple admission process to take admission in the D.El.Ed colleges. A detailed step-by-step guide to this admission process at Integral University is provided below:
Step 1: Register for the course at the official website of Integral University. Enter the basic details asked on the registration portal and verify the email provided. Click on “Apply Now”.
Step 2: Provide all the relevant personal and academic information asked in the same and upload the scanned copies of the documents requested.
Step 3: Pay the non-refundable registration fee, costing INR 1,000 using debit card/ credit card/ net banking. Verify all the details provided so far and click on “submit”.
Step 4: Download the IUET admit card as soon as it is available and appear for the exam on the date specified in the same. It must be noted that the exam is conducted online.
Step 5: Wait for the IUET results. Once they are available, participate in the counselling through your profile on the university's admission website.
Step 6: Fill up a preference list of 5-7 institutions from where the candidate wishes to pursue the course, ranked in order of priority. Once completed, submit and lock the options. Only institutions affiliated with Integral University can be included in the list.
Step 7: Wait for the university to release merit lists. The selected candidates will be called for the document verification process.
Step 8: If shortlisted, the candidate receives a provisional admission letter and is required to complete basic formalities to confirm a seat in the course.
Documents Required
- 10th and 12th marsheets
- Bachelor’s Marksheet (If applicable)
- Transfer Certificate
- Character Certificate
- Latest passport-sized photographs (coloured)
- Caste Certificate (If applicable)
- Government-issued ID proof (Aadhar card, PAN card, passport etc.)
D.El.Ed. Syllabus
The D.El.Ed. syllabus in India has been approved and accredited by the NCTE (National Council for Teacher Education), ensuring that this diploma study is globally recognized and accepted. The various subjects included in the course’s syllabus and their year-wise division at Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Education are as follows:
D.El.Ed. Job Opportunities in India
The course prepares individuals for a rewarding career in education, academia, and related industries, equipping them with a comprehensive skill set for imparting knowledge and education, understanding children and their psychology, and managing institutions and classrooms. As of 2025, the leading and most sought-after D.El.Ed. Jobs are as follows:
D.El.Ed. Vs B El Ed Comparison
Despite their emphasis on the elementary education aspect of the education profession, D.El.Ed. and B El Ed are vastly different courses of study, particularly in terms of their duration, curriculum focus, study recognition, and scope.
A D.El.Ed. is a 2-year diploma-level program that focuses more on practical teaching skills and pedagogy, whereas a B.El.Ed. is a 4-year integrated undergraduate program that includes a blend of subject matter expertise, pedagogy, and child development studies via practical training and classroom understanding. For more information on these courses, refer to the table below:
D.El.Ed. FAQs
How can someone get a government teacher job after completing D.El.Ed. course?
In order to get a teaching job in the government sector after completing the D.El.Ed. course, the individual must qualify for the CTET or the State TET competitive exam. These exams are mandatory for such professions and cover basic elementary education topics that are also taught under the D.El.Ed. curriculum. Individuals who pass these exams can check government portals for job openings for elementary teacher positions and apply for them.
Is it possible to pursue D.El.Ed. after a BBA degree? Is there any specific combination of subjects required in that case to be eligible for the course?
Yes, a BBA graduate is eligible to pursue the 2-year D.El.Ed. course. Although the basic eligibility for the course is a minimum of 45%-50% scores in 10+2, bachelor degree graduates can also apply for the course as long as they have a minimum of 45% score in their bachelor’s. Also, no specific subject combination is required to be eligible for the D.El.Ed. course, graduates from any field or discipline may pursue it.
Which is better, a distance education D.El.Ed. course or a regular one?
The better option between a distance learning D.El.Ed. and a regular D.El.Ed. course is a matter of personal preference; both course curricula have several benefits to offer, and it is up to the individual to pick which best suits his/her circumstances. A distance learning D.El.Ed. course offers the benefit of flexibility, allowing learners to learn from anywhere and at any time, whereas a regular D.El.Ed. course offers faculty engagement and a high degree of assistance in practical skill development.
Is it possible to pursue D.El.Ed. and a bachelor’s degree together?
Yes, it is possible to pursue a D.El.Ed. and a bachelor's degree simultaneously. It should be noted, however, that it is normally not permitted by the UGC to study two full-time courses at the same time; therefore, in order to pursue both D.El.Ed. and a bachelor's degree concurrently, the individual must pursue one of them part-time and the other regularly. The D.El.Ed. course is typically taken part-time due to its comparatively easy curriculum, flexibility, and lower time commitment.
Is D.El.Ed. a professional course?
Yes, a D.El.Ed. course can be described as a professional course, owing to its highly practical curriculum and school training, and internship opportunities. The course curriculum is also NCTE-accredited and aids in the development of pedagogical skills, content mastery, communication and interpersonal skills, and professional and ethical competence, allowing students to professionally teach elementary classes.
Are D.El.Ed. graduates eligible to apply for TGT positions?
No, a D.El.Ed. course does not qualify an individual to apply for TGT positions, such roles often include teaching high school classes ranging from 6th to 10th grade, and a D.El.Ed. course does not prepare students for the same. D.El.Ed. graduates are only eligible for elementary teaching employment, while a professional B Ed degree is normally required for TGT positions.
Which is better, B.Ed. or DLED?
B.Ed. is preferred when the candidates want a long-term career in teaching since it has a greater scope (after secondary level) with greater chances of promotion and better salary prospects. Nonetheless, D.El.Ed. has a quicker entry and would be perfect when the candidates want to become a teacher working with young children at the elementary level, or when they do not have a college degree yet.
Can I do B.Ed. and D.El.Ed. together?
No, the candidates cannot pursue the B.Ed. and Diploma in Elementary Education on a full-time, regular basis. The education regulatory bodies in India (including the National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE)) do not permit students to study two full-time courses simultaneously. But you can also undertake both B.Ed. and D.El.Ed independently in case you opt for various modes of study. Such as you might take one of the programs in regular mode and the other through distance mode.
