State Education Minister Jayant Chaudhary Launches ULLAS Guidelines: What Teacher Trainees Must Know

Jayant Chaudhary Launches ULLAS Guidelines for Teacher Education Institutions: What Student Teachers Need to Know

New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary released the new guidelines for Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) as part of the ULLAS-Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram on October 28, 2026. These guidelines invite teacher education students to participate in India's adult literacy programme and work as volunteer teachers to help learners who have not acquired basic literacy.

As part of these guidelines, it has been mandated that student teachers enrolled in NCTE-recognised teacher education programmes will work as volunteer teachers to facilitate the literacy and certification of at least five to eight non-literate learners. These guidelines suggest that the engagement of teacher education student with adult learners and community be recognised as an academic credit. The launch of these guidelines took place in New Delhi during the felicitation ceremony for national level winners of Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025.

School level innovation on school education and improvement in school students’ engagement and participation in responsible management of e-waste were some of the additional themes integrated in this programme. Thus, the event aimed at bringing together initiatives, programmes and activities relating to education, civic responsibility and national development.

Important Details of the ULLAS Guidelines 2026

What do the Latest ULLAS Guidelines Say About Teacher Education Institutions?

These guidelines provide teacher education institutions with an opportunity to be involved in the implementation of ULLAS, the Government of India's adult literacy program. Rather than restricting teacher preparation to classroom-based training, the guidelines encourage student-teachers to take up adult literacy tasks.

As per the Ministry of Education's (MoE's) statement, the guidelines cover students who are pursuing NCTE-recognised programs including Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P.Ed.), Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Master of Physical Education (M.P.Ed.) and other similar programs. These students have been envisioned as volunteer teachers to help non-literate learners in their communities.

The framework states that for student teachers to gain academic credits, they must help certify a certain number of literacy learners. As part of this framework, student teachers will be required to facilitate the literacy and certification of five to eight learners.

Importance of the Guidelines for Student Teachers and Adult Learners

Student teachers have an opportunity to relate their professional preparation with situational learning that occurs outside the formal classroom. Working with adult learners also provides student teachers with the opportunity to learn about various levels of learners, different types of practical problems and various community based methods of teaching.

 With regard to adult learners, the initiative provides a unique opportunity to strengthen reading, writing and numeracy skills. The learning activities undertaken by adult learners are likely to enhance access to information, public services and opportunities for continuing education. These are expected benefits from the adult literacy program and are not guaranteed to each participant.

The linking of credits to successful learner certification is a positive step and demonstrates that student teachers are valued. The framework, however, does not mandate awarding of credits, and therefore, this decision is left to the discretion of the institutions. The Ministry has not issued a uniform number of credits, assessment calendar or time frame for the implementing institutions. Until such time that instructions are issued, student teachers and educating institutions should follow the instructions relating to the Adult Literacy program and the framework and make their plans accordingly.

The MoE statement further explains the roles of various organizations involved in the implementation of ULLAS including NCTE, NCERT, CNCL, SCERTs, DIETs, State Literacy Mission Authorities, district administration and teacher education institutions.

FAQs

1. When were the ULLAS guidelines for Teacher Education Institutions released?

28th October 2026, was the day the guidelines were released by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Education, Govt. of India.

2. What is the key objective of the ULLAS guidelines?

The objective is to make student teachers of NCTE recognized teacher education programs perform as voluntary teachers for adult literacy programs.

3. How many student teachers can one student teacher support?

Each student teacher will be responsible for the literacy and certification of 5 to 8 non-literate learners.

4. Which courses are covered under the guidelines?

The B.Ed., B.P.Ed., M.Ed. and M.P.Ed. and other NCTE recognized teacher education programs are included in the announcement.

5. Will academic credits be awarded to student teachers?

Yes, the guidelines state that academic credits will be awarded on the basis of successful learner certification. The number of credits will depend on the official guidelines as well as the instructions of the concerned institution.

6. Who all can take the benefit of ULLAS?

To take the benefit of the ULLAS program, the learner should be 15 years and above, and should not have any formal education. It supports foundational literacy and numeracy and other lifelong learning.

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