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The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has announced admissions for its Diploma Course in Guidance and Counselling (DCGC) for the 2027 session. This one-year diploma is designed to develop professional skills in educational guidance, student counselling, career development and school-based support.
The programme is particularly relevant for teachers, teacher educators, school administrators and candidates with postgraduate qualifications in psychology, education, social work, child development or special education who wish to develop their competencies in guidance and counselling.
The course combines distance learning, intensive face-to-face practical training and an internship, allowing learners to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world school settings.
About NCERT’s Diploma in Guidance and Counselling
The Diploma Course in Guidance and Counselling is offered through NCERT’s Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations of Education (DEPFE), National Institute of Education (NIE), New Delhi, in collaboration with five Regional Institutes of Education (RIEs).
The programme aims to prepare teachers and other eligible professionals to support students’ educational, personal, social and career development. It recognises the importance of counselling skills in schools, where students may experience academic pressure, behavioural difficulties, emotional challenges, adjustment problems and uncertainty about future careers.
The programme also focuses on developing the knowledge and practical competencies required to guide students through different stages of their educational journey.
Who Should Apply for NCERT DCGC 2027?
The programme is intended for candidates interested in strengthening guidance and counselling services in educational settings.
The primary target groups include:
- In-service school teachers.
- Teacher educators.
- School administrators.
- Untrained guidance personnel.
- Postgraduates from relevant academic disciplines who meet the prescribed eligibility conditions.
The diploma may be especially relevant to individuals interested in educational guidance, school counselling, student wellbeing and career guidance.
Eligibility Criteria
According to the official admission brief and information brochure, candidates must meet the eligibility requirements applicable to their category.
| Candidate category | Eligibility requirements |
|---|---|
| In-service teachers | Graduation along with a teaching degree. |
| Candidates who are currently not working | Graduation with a teaching degree and at least two years of teaching or related experience. |
| Postgraduates | Postgraduate qualification in psychology, education, social work, child development or special education. |
Minimum percentage requirements
- Candidates must have at least 50% marks.
- A relaxation of 5% is available for SC/ST candidates, as specified in the brochure.
- Among postgraduate candidates, preference will be given to those with at least one year of teaching or related experience.
Important: Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee admission. Candidates must also undergo the prescribed screening and selection process.
NCERT DCGC 2027 Course Duration and Structure
The programme runs for one year, from January to December 2027, and is divided into three phases.
| Phase | Duration | Mode | Main focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase I | Six months: January–June 2027 | Distance learning | Guided self-learning, course modules, tutorials and mentor support |
| Phase II | Three months: July–September 2027 | Face-to-face | Intensive practical training and supervised field experience |
| Phase III | Three months: October–December 2027 | Internship | Practical experience in the candidate’s hometown or workplace |
Course Curriculum
The curriculum integrates theoretical learning with practical training and field experience.
The official information brochure lists the following course modules:
| Module | Subject |
|---|---|
| I | Introduction to Guidance |
| II | Counselling Process and Strategies |
| III | Guidance for Human Development and Adjustment |
| IV | Career Development – I |
| V | Career Information in Guidance and Counselling – I |
| VI | Assessment and Appraisal in Guidance and Counselling – I |
| VII | Basic Statistics in Guidance and Counselling – I |
| VIII | Guidance in Action |
| IX | Special Concerns in Counselling |
| X | Developing Mental Health and Coping Skills |
| XI | Career Development – II |
| XII | Career Information in Guidance and Counselling – II |
| XIII | Assessment and Appraisal in Guidance and Counselling – II |
| XIV | Basic Statistics in Guidance and Counselling – II |
Key areas covered
Guidance and counselling: Understanding the counselling process, strategies, professional skills and the role of guidance in educational settings.
Human development and adjustment: Understanding developmental needs, adjustment difficulties and factors that influence students’ personal and social development.
Career development: Exploring career development processes and learning how career information can support students in making informed educational and occupational decisions.
Psychological assessment and appraisal: Developing an understanding of assessment-related concepts and their applications in guidance and counselling.
Mental health and coping skills: Learning about mental health promotion, coping strategies and the support students may require during challenging situations.
Special concerns in counselling: Understanding the needs of different student groups and issues that may arise in diverse educational and social contexts.
The course also includes practical handbooks, self-learning materials, field visits and supervised internship activities.
NCERT DCGC 2027 Study Centres
Admission is offered through six study centres: DEPFE, NCERT, New Delhi, and five Regional Institutes of Education.
| Centre | Location | Centre code |
|---|---|---|
| DEPFE, NCERT | New Delhi | 01 |
| Regional Institute of Education | Ajmer, Rajasthan | 02 |
| Regional Institute of Education | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh | 03 |
| Regional Institute of Education | Bhubaneswar, Odisha | 04 |
| Regional Institute of Education | Mysuru, Karnataka | 05 |
| North East Regional Institute of Education | Shillong, Meghalaya | 06 |
Regional allocation of candidates
The admission brief provides a regional allocation of states and Union Territories to the study centres.
- New Delhi: Delhi-NCR and Chandigarh.
- Ajmer: Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Ladakh.
- Bhopal: Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
- Bhubaneswar: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal.
- Mysuru: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
- Shillong: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Nagaland, Tripura and Mizoram.
Candidates should select the appropriate centre according to the regional allocation specified in the official admission documents.
Number of Seats in NCERT DCGC 2027
The maximum intake is 50 candidates per study centre.
With six study centres participating in the programme, the maximum combined intake is 300 seats, subject to the applicable admission and allocation rules.
Reservation will be applicable according to Government of India norms.
The admission announcement also states that government-deputed candidates will be preferred. Therefore, eligible candidates should review the selection criteria carefully before submitting their applications.
NCERT DCGC 2027 Course Fees
The course fee varies according to the candidate’s category.
| Candidate category | Course fee |
|---|---|
| Government-deputed candidates from centrally funded organisations | ₹19,500 |
| Government-deputed candidates from State/UT departments | ₹6,000 |
| Private candidates | ₹30,000 |
Additional expenses
Candidates are required to bear their own boarding and lodging expenses during the face-to-face contact programme.
For candidates enrolled at the NCERT New Delhi centre, the brochure mentions hostel accommodation and meal charges of approximately ₹30,000 each for three months, excluding applicable taxes and subject to revision.
Candidates may also arrange their own accommodation and meals.
Applicants should consult the official information brochure for the complete fee and accommodation details.
NCERT DCGC 2027 Selection Process
Admission is not based solely on academic qualifications. Eligible applicants undergo screening according to the prescribed selection criteria.
The selection process includes the following stages:
- Online application: Candidates submit the prescribed application form with relevant academic and experience details.
- Application screening: A committee screens applications according to eligibility and selection criteria.
- Selection test: Shortlisted candidates are required to appear for the selection test.
- Essay writing: Essay writing forms part of the selection process.
- Interview: Shortlisted candidates participate in an interview as prescribed.
- Admission: Candidates are considered for admission according to the applicable selection and allocation rules.
The admission brief specifies an offline selection test for eligible in-service candidates, who must obtain prior permission from their employers.
Applicants should follow subsequent official communications for details regarding the selection test date, venue and other instructions.
Documents Required for Application
The official brochure requires applicants to attach self-attested documents supporting their qualifications and work experience.
Candidates should prepare the relevant documents, which may include:
- Academic marksheets and degree certificates.
- Postgraduate qualification certificates, where applicable.
- Teaching degree certificates, where applicable.
- Documents supporting teaching or related work experience, where applicable.
- Other certificates or supporting documents requested in the online application form.
Applicants should ensure that their documents are legible, accurate and consistent with the information entered in the application.
How to Apply for NCERT DCGC 2027?
Candidates can apply through the official NCERT website.
- Visit the official NCERT DCGC page: https://ncert.nic.in/dcgc.php?ln=en
- Open the section titled “Diploma Course in Guidance and Counselling – DCGC 2027”.
- Read the admission announcement, admission brief and information brochure carefully.
- Open the official online application form.
- Enter the required personal, academic and work experience details.
- Select the appropriate study centre according to the prescribed regional allocation.
- Upload the required self-attested certificates and supporting documents.
- Review the application carefully before submitting it.
- Complete the online submission process and retain a copy of the submitted application for future reference.
The application must be submitted online. The official announcement states that applications will not be accepted by the department or through email.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application deadline | 6 November 2026 |
| Distance learning phase | January–June 2027 |
| Face-to-face contact programme | July–September 2027 |
| Internship | October–December 2027 |
The application deadline is specified in the official announcement. Candidates should check the NCERT website for any subsequent notices or changes concerning the admission schedule.
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