The process for admissions to the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) programme in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has entered a crucial stage, with the publication of the final merit list scheduled for September 8. Tagore Government College of Education, the premier institution offering teacher training in the islands, will release the category-wise and subject-wise list of selected candidates on its admission portal at 4 p.m. The publication of the list marks the culmination of the application and evaluation stages for the two-year programme’s 2025–26 academic session.
According to the admission schedule, counselling for the selected candidates will be held on September 10, starting at 9:30 a.m., followed by the commencement of classes on September 11 at 8:40 a.m. A second round of counselling, if vacant seats remain after the first round, has been slated for September 12. Eligible candidates have been instructed to attend the counselling in person, carrying all original certificates and a set of photocopies, along with the requisite admission fees. Failure to appear for counselling on the assigned date will result in forfeiture of the seat, which will then be offered to the next candidate in the merit order.
The B.Ed programme remains one of the most sought-after professional courses in the islands, as it provides the essential qualification for aspiring teachers in schools across the Union Territory. The announcement of the final merit list is therefore a significant moment for candidates who have been preparing for the competitive admission process. The college has specified that the final merit list will be published under the “Announcements” section of its admission website (http://collegeadmission.andaman.gov.in), ensuring transparency and accessibility for all applicants.
The admission process this year is unfolding against the backdrop of a growing demand for trained teachers in both government and private institutions. Teacher preparation is considered a critical component of the education system, especially in the islands where the geographical spread of schools requires a steady supply of qualified educators. The Tagore Government College of Education has historically played a central role in meeting this need, producing batches of trained teachers each year who go on to serve in different parts of the territory.
Candidates vying for admission are assessed based on academic merit, with the final list reflecting performance across categories and subjects. The structured counselling process ensures that allocation of seats is conducted in a systematic and transparent manner. For many students, particularly those from remote islands, the admission process represents both an opportunity and a challenge, given the logistical hurdles of travel and document submission. The college’s adherence to fixed timelines is designed to minimise delays and provide clarity to candidates.
Observers point out that the swift turnaround between the final list, counselling, and the commencement of classes suggests an effort to ensure the academic calendar remains on track. In the past, delays in admissions have sometimes disrupted the teaching schedule, affecting both students and faculty. By setting clear dates for each stage, September 8 for the merit list, September 10 for counselling, and September 11 for classes, the college appears committed to avoiding such setbacks.
The second counselling round on September 12 provides a safety net for filling any remaining seats, ensuring that opportunities are not wasted due to candidate absences. However, the onus remains on selected candidates to adhere strictly to the schedule, as the college has explicitly stated that non-attendance will result in loss of the seat.
For aspiring teachers, securing admission to the programme is more than a personal achievement, it represents a step toward contributing to the educational development of the islands. As the college prepares to welcome a new cohort, the focus will shift to training students not just in pedagogy but also in addressing the unique challenges of teaching in an island context. With the academic session set to begin on September 11, the new intake of students will soon embark on their journey toward becoming educators in one of India’s most distinctive educational landscapes.
