SC makes annual appraisal report submission mandatory for NCTE-recognised teacher training institutions

The Supreme Court has backed the National Council for Teacher Education’s (NCTE) authority to require Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) to submit the Performance Appraisal Reports (PARs) every year. According to reporter Shraddha Chettri, the September 3 judgment overturned a High Court order which had said that the requirement was unsustainable.

NCTE-recognised teacher education colleges now have to file a PAR annually. Chettri reported that the apex court observed that asking for such reports comes under the regulatory responsibilities of a statutory body whose task includes planning and overseeing teacher education.

NCTE Chairman Pankaj Arora said the judgment is a “landmark victory”; it will only strengthen the council’s ability to check concerns related to substandard institutions and improve the quality of teacher education.

Why NCTE introduced annual PAR

As reported by Shraddha Chettri, after its 46th meeting in March 2017, which approved a proposal for annual renewal of recognition, NCTE introduced the PAR mechanism. However, many TEIs approached different High Courts and raised objections to the proposal.

Based on the legal challenges, NCTE decided to use PAR as an alternative system for monitoring institutions. The annual report will help NCTE to review if recognised institutions are following the norms, standards and guidelines. It will also provide a process to assess institutional performance and promote accountability.

Apex court backs NCTE’s powers

Chettri reported that the Supreme Court said that NCTE and its executive committee have the authority to ask institutions to submit PARs every year. The apex court said that even if the law does not specifically mention that a regulator can introduce such requirements as part of its duties.

The court also said that accountability is an important principle in administrative law and should be present for effective regulatory oversight of educational institutions. The Supreme Court also approved the fees that NCTE charges for submitting PARs, saying these fees should be given for the process of regulating teacher education institutions.

According to Chettri, NCTE from more than 2,500 teacher education institutions removed recognition in 2025 because they did not submit PARs. Around 16,000 institutions are recognised by NCTE, and the judgment will ensure that teacher education institutions follow the annual reporting process.