Special Education Courses after 12th in India
You can be guided from the beginning from what a special educator, how they work, and which course you can pursue to become one. So, just dive in!
Special Education Courses After 12th in India: Special Education is not like your routine teaching. In routine teaching, you enter the class, deliver a lecture, or engage students in sports activities or practicals. It involves teaching as per the needs of the specially-abled students. For special education teachers, you have to teach as per the needs of the specially-abled children by preparing a teaching plan catering to them. You will have to make sure that what you're intending to teach them is easily accessible to them. DEd or BEd in Special Education are some of the popular courses in fields like autism, visual, or hearing defects. For instance, if you have to teach a child who is having a problem focusing and needs a long time to complete reading and writing assignments, you will have to prepare a strategy. By pursuing these special education courses, you will get this training.
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NCERT is responsible for conducting the RIE CEE exam. Once the test commences with the notification releases, the conducting body prescribes the eligibility criteria with all major information in the prospectus.
The government has reformed policies like NEP and RCI (The Rehabilitation Centre of India), where the demand for special education teachers is increasing. With the surge, the infrastructure, syllabus, and training centre, the job scope in this field has expanded. Schools are becoming inclusive for differently-abled children. If you wish to bring a change in society, then the first step to how to become a special educator in India is here. Keep Reading.
- Special Education Courses After 12th in India - Highlights
- Who is a Special Educator?
- Role of a Special Educator
- Special Education Courses after 10+2 (Short Duration)
- Special Education Courses at IGNOU
- One-Year Diploma in Special Education (IGNOU & Other Colleges)
- Special Education Courses After 12th in India (Government Colleges)
- Special Education Courses After 12th in India – Fee Structure
- Best Special Education Courses & Specializations in India
- Skill Development for Special Educators
- Special Education Top Job Profiles
- Job Opportunities
- Salary of a Special Educator in India
Special Education Courses After 12th in India - Highlights
Before you dive into details, we have prepared a table that will cover the basics about special education courses after 12th in India.
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| Category Name |
Special Education |
| Course Levels |
Diploma, Certificate, Undergraduate, Postgraduate |
| Degrees Available |
|
| Special Education Course Duration |
Diploma: 1-2 years Certificate: 3 months to 1 year UG: 2-3 years PG: 2 years |
| Colleges |
|
| Salary |
1.1 lakh - 7.6 lakhs (in INR) |
| Entrance Exams |
|
| Recruiters |
|
Who is a Special Educator?
A Special educator is a person responsible for teaching students who have special needs. The job of a special educator is a bit different from normal teaching and they have to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. For a Special education teacher, they need to include services such as speech-language pathology, travel training, vocational education, and physical education. Special education teachers must be able to teach in a variety of settings, including general classrooms, separate classrooms, homes, hospitals, institutions, and special classes.
Role of a Special Educator
Work with students who have a range of disabilities - including learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, physical impairments, and emotional or behavioral disorders.
Design individualized education plans (IEPs)
Collaborating with other educational professionals and families.
Also read:
- Integrated BA+BEd in Special Education at Amity University
- Integrated BSc.+BEd in Special Education at Amity University
For students planning to make a career in Special Education, they need to have Practical experience. They must work under the supervision of experienced educators by pursuing internships or volunteer opportunities in special schools, inclusive schools, or organizations working with individuals with disabilities.
Special Education Courses after 10+2 (Short Duration)
To complete a professional teaching course in Special Education, students need to have a minimum graduation degree, as only then will they be able to apply for BEd Special Education or BEd Special Education (Integrated) course. However, for a start, here are some of the short-term courses
| Course Name |
Course Duration |
Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate in Special Education (ADHD, Autism, and Learning Disabilities) |
4 months |
12 |
| Diploma in Special Education (ADHD, Autism and Learning Disabilities) |
8 months |
12 |
| Certificate in Learning Disabilities |
4 months |
12 |
| Diploma in Learning Disabilities |
8 months |
12 |
| Certificate in Autism |
4 months |
12 |
| Diploma in Autism |
8 months |
12 |
| Certificate in ADHD |
4 months |
12 |
| Diploma in ADHD |
8 months |
12 |
Special Education Courses at IGNOU
These courses are approved by the Rehabilitation Council of India.
1. BEd in Special Education (2 years, RCI approved)
You can get specialised in Hearing Impairment, Visual Impairment, and Intellectual Disability.
2. Diploma in Early Childhood Special Education (DECSE) – 1 year
3. Post Graduate Diploma in Inclusive Education (PGDIE) – 1 year
Eligibility:
10+2 or equivalent for diploma courses; Graduation for BEd and PG Diplomas.
Average Fees: Rs.15,000 – Rs.25,000 (depending on course and location).
Why Choose IGNOU?
-
Flexible distance learning model
-
RCI recognition (mandatory for employment as a special educator)
-
Affordable compared to private institutions
One-Year Diploma in Special Education (IGNOU & Other Colleges)
For students who want a short-term and job-oriented qualification, the 1-year Diploma in Special Education offers a solid foundation
-
Duration: 1 Year
-
Focus Areas: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning and Intellectual Disabilities, and Hearing Impairment (HI)
-
Skills: Individualized Education Planning (IEP), classroom adaptation, behavior management, and assistive technology.
Institutions Offering 1-Year Diplomas:
-
IGNOU
-
Amity Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Noida
-
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
-
Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI)
-
NIMH (National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities)
Average Fees: Rs.12,000 – Rs.45,000 (depending on institution type).
Special Education Courses After 12th in India (Government Colleges)
Here are the top choices:
| Rehabilitation Council of India |
| Banaras Hindu University (BHU) |
| Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) |
| Dr. Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University (Lucknow) |
| SNDT Women’s University (Mumbai) |
Special Education Courses After 12th in India – Fee Structure
The fees for special education courses vary depending on the level, type of institution, and specialization.
| Course Type | Duration | Average Annual Fees | Institutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate Course | 4–6 months | Rs.5,000 – Rs.15,000 | RCI Institutes, Private Centers |
| Diploma in Special Education | 1–2 years | Rs.10,000 – Rs.50,000 | IGNOU, BHU, State Universities |
| BEd in Special Education | 2 years | Rs.40,000 – Rs.1.2 lakh | Amity, JMI, Andhra University |
| MEd / PG Diploma in Special Education | 1–2 years | Rs.60,000 – Rs.1.5 lakh | IGNOU, RCI-approved universities |
Tip: Students from EWS can apply for scholarships under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and NHFDC programs.
Best Special Education Courses & Specializations in India
Below are some of the most in-demand and best special education specializations in India (2026):
| Specialization | Course Options | Career Opportunities |
|---|---|---|
| Hearing Impairment (HI) | DEd / BEd in Special Education (HI) | Teacher, Audiology Assistant, Inclusion Coordinator |
| Visual Impairment (VI) | Diploma / BEd (VI) | Braille Educator, Assistive Tech Trainer |
| Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) | Certificate / Diploma in Autism Education | Autism Interventionist, Behavioral Therapist |
| Learning Disability (LD) | Certificate / BEd (LD) | Special Needs Tutor, School Counselor |
| Intellectual Disability (ID) | DEd / BEd (ID) | Resource Teacher, Early Interventionist |
| Multiple Disabilities (MD) | PG Diploma in Inclusive Education | Inclusive School Specialist, NGO Worker |
Emerging Areas (2026 and beyond):
-
Assistive Technology & AI Integration
-
Early Childhood Inclusive Education
-
Special Education Administration & Policy
Skill Development for Special Educators
- High level of patience and understanding
- Adaptability
- Communication Skills
Special Education Top Job Profiles
- Trained Graduate Teacher
- Post Graduate Teacher
- Secondary Teacher
- Vice-Principal
- Principal
- Content Developer
- Subject Matter Expert
Also read:
- BEd in Special Education (Intellectual Disability) at Amity University
- BEd in Special Education (Learning Disability) at Amity University
Job Opportunities
- Special and Inclusive Schools
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- Government Initiatives
- Private Therapy
- Hospitals and Clinics
- International Schools
- Higher Education Institutions
- Corporate Sector for CSR activities
- Freelance and Consultancy
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Salary of a Special Educator in India
| Job Roles |
Annual Salary (Approximately) |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level Positions |
Rs.1.8 lakh to Rs.3 lakh |
| Mid-Level Positions |
Rs.3 lakh to Rs.4.8 lakh |
| Experienced and Senior-Level Positions |
Rs.4.8 lakh to Rs.8.4 lak |
| Specialized and High-Demand Positions |
Rs.8.4 lakh and above |
Note: The salary of a special educator in India varies depending on factors such as qualifications, experience, location, and the type of institution.
The demand for expert special educators is growing tremendously, thanks to increasing awareness and policies supporting inclusive education. Not just in schools or NGOs, but there are also therapy centers established where the demand for special educators is high. They can also work as independent consultants and play a vital role in ensuring that people with disabilities or students who require special needs receive the support to succeed academically and socially. This is the right time to choose any of the available special education courses after 12th in India as a career option.
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The list for the provisionally selected and waitlisted candidates based on their scores has been released on the website. The score differs every year. The RIE Bhopal 2025 cut-off year is around 80-85.