NCERT Admissions 2026 Announcement: Admission Open for Guidance & Counselling Diploma Course, Check Last Date to Apply

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has announced admissions for the Diploma Course in Guidance and Counselling (DCGC) for 2026. The aim of the one-year diploma is to enhance the counselling capacity of teachers, school administrator and educational personnel across India to meet the rise in demand for professional mental health and career guidance in schools. The course uses a hybrid learning model that includes six months of online distance learning from January to June 2026, followed by a three-month face-to-face contact program from July to September at designated study centres. Additionally, the program finishes with a three-month internship in the candidate’s hometown or workplace from October to December 2026. 

Teachers, teacher educators, school administrators and untrained guidance personnel are eligible to apply, especially postgraduates in psychology, education, social work, child development or special education with at least one year of teaching or relevant experience. The deadline to apply online through the official NCERT website is 5 November 2025. Candidates should upload necessary academic and experience documents and the selection process includes essay writing and an interview. The course fee ranges from INR 6,000 to 30,000 depending on the candidate’s category, with facilities for board and lodging available for non-local candidates during the contact program. The admission will be offered at NCERT New Delhi and regional institutes in Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysuru, and Shillong, with a maximum intake of 50 candidates per centre.

Key Highlights of the NCERT Diploma Course

The DCGC is structured to be completed in three distinct phases:

• A six-month distance learning period from January to June 2026.

• A three-month face-to-face contact programme at designated study centres from July to September 2026.

• Concluding with a three-month internship conducted at the participant's hometown or workplace from October to December 2026.

NCERT DCGC Admission 2026: Eligibility Criteria and Process

The diploma course is open to teachers, teacher educators, school administrators and other guidance staff from all over India. Priority is given to those who have completed a PG degree in psychology, education, social work, child development, or special education, mainly if they have at least one year of teaching or relevant work experience. Candidates must achieve a minimum of 50% in their qualifying degree, with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST categories. 

To apply, candidates must access the NCERT official website https://dcgc.ncert.org.in/login and log in using their Email ID. Afterward, candidates are required to upload self-attested copies of their certificates of academic qualification and proof of work experience along with the application form. 

A selection committee will review all applications and shortlist candidates. Those shortlisted will have to appear for a test that includes essay writing and an interview to check their knowledge and skills related to guidance and counselling.

NCERT DCGC Course Admission Fee Structure 

The fee varies depending on the candidate’s category:

Note: In addition to the course fee, candidates are responsible for paying their own board and lodging expenses during the face-to-face contact programme, although accommodation facilities will be available for non-local candidates at the study centres.