Consider the following statements : 1. As per the Right to Education (RTE) Act, to be eligible for appointment as a teacher in a State, a person would be required to possess the minimum qualification laid down by the concerned State Council of Teacher Education. 2. As per the RTE Act, for teaching primary classes, a candidate is required to pass a Teacher Eligibility Test conducted in accordance with the National Council of Teacher Education guidelines. 3. In India, more than 90% of teacher education institutions are directly under the State Governments. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 1 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Why the answer is (b)
• Statement 2 is correct: under Section 23 of the RTE Act, the NCTE (the notified academic authority) requires candidates for Classes I–VIII to pass a Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET or State TETs) conducted as per NCTE guidelines.
• Statement 1 is wrong: minimum qualifications are laid down by the NCTE, a central body — there is no 'State Council of Teacher Education' with this power.
• Statement 3 is wrong: about 90% of India's 17,000-plus teacher education institutions are privately run, not under State Governments.
• Hence 2 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2
- Statement 1 is wrong: NCTE, not a State council, sets qualifications.
- (c) 1 and 3
- Statements 1 and 3 are wrong.
- (d) 3 only
- Statement 3 is wrong: most institutions are private.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2018, held on 3 June 2018. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.