Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) admission 2025: Registration, Dates, Exams
Pallavi Priyadarshini PandaContent Writer
ECCE course admission is based on both the entrance as well as Class 12 scores. Candidates who want to take care of young children and make a positive impact on a child's development can apply for this course. Candidates must pass Class 12 with 50% for ECCE course. Popular colleges are JMI, IGNOU, Amity University, LPU, etc. The ECCE fee can range around approx. INR 15,000 to INR 1 Lakh.
- ECCE Admission 2025: Eligibility Criteria
- ECCE Admission Process 2025
- Early Childhood Care and Education Entrance Exams 2025
- ECCE Admission 2025: Top Entrance Exams Syllabus
- ECCE Admission 2025: Quick Preparation Tips
- Best ECCE Colleges 2025: Admission Details
- ECCE Admissions 2025: Colleges Accepting Different Exam Scores
- ECCE Admission 2025: Placements in Best Colleges
- Early Childhood Care and Education Admission 2025 FAQs
- Popular Exams
- Popular Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) Colleges in India
- Popular Private Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) Colleges in India
- Popular Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) UG Courses
- Popular Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) PG Courses
ECCE Admission 2025: Eligibility Criteria
The Early Childhood Care and Education course eligibility can slightly differ depending on the college and level of the course. But, the basic needs ensure that the future educators have a basic understanding and passion for working with young children. Whether you are a recent 12th pass out or a graduate seeking a career in early childhood education, meeting the eligibility standards is the first step toward enrolling in this rewarding course. Interested students can explore the typical qualifications needed at various academic levels in this section below.
ECCE Admission 2025: Top Colleges Eligibility Criteria
Renowned colleges such as NCERT, IGNOU, Amity University, and JMI offer various courses under this field, including Certificate in ECCE, Diploma in ECCE, and B.A. in ECCE. Check the detailed requirements for these courses in top colleges in the table below -
|
Top ECCE Colleges in India |
ECCE Course |
Top ECCE Colleges Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|
|
IGNOU
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YCMOU |
|
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MSU Baroda |
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JMI |
|
|
|
|
|
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LPU |
|
|
Note - This information is taken from the official sites and may vary.
ECCE Admission 2025: General Eligibility Criteria
In India, Early childhood education encompasses an ECCE diploma course open to everybody. Anyone above the age of 18 is eligible to pursue the ECCE course.
- The requirement to enroll in the course is a 10+2 level qualification. For post-graduation courses, the eligibility is 10+2+3 or 10+2+4 levels of education.
- Marks of admission vary from institution to institution. Most institutes conduct entrance exams plus interviews.
- The course helps in developing skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to work with young children and enables them to manage and organize childcare centers such as preschools, nursery schools, kindergartens, and daycare centers.
- The duration of a diploma course is for a year, while it is three years for a BA program, two years for an MA program, and one year for a PGD.
Eligibility may vary slightly between institutes but in general the eligibility for admission into ECCE Course is mentioned below in detail:
First of all following is the Educational Qualification required for admission:
- Passed Class 12 (10+2) in any stream from a recognised board
- Some institutes also accept Class 10 pass students for foundation or certificate level ECCE courses
Below is the Age Limit:
- Minimum age: 17 years
- Upper age: Varies often no strict limit (some allow up to 35 to 40 years or more)
There are some other Criteria that are mentioned below:
- Basic understanding of English and local language
- Passion for working with children
- Some institutes may conduct interviews or aptitude tests but many offer direct admission
The course duration varies depending on the program type:
- Diploma/Certificate courses: 6 months to 1 year
- Undergraduate degrees (B.Ed. in Early Childhood Education): 3 years
- Postgraduate degrees (M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education): 2 years
ECCE Admission Process 2025
The ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) admission procedure for 2025 typically involves the following steps:
- Application Form Submission: Interested candidates need to fill out and submit the ECCE admission application form, which is usually available online on the official website of the respective educational institution or university.
- Eligibility Check: The applicants' eligibility is verified based on criteria such as educational qualifications, minimum percentage requirements, and any other specified conditions.
- Entrance Examination (if applicable): Some institutions may conduct an entrance examination to assess the candidates' aptitude and subject knowledge relevant to teaching young Children.
- Merit List: Based on the entrance exam scores (if applicable) and/or academic qualifications, the institution prepares a merit list of eligible candidates.
- Counseling/Interview: Shortlisted candidates may be called for counseling or an interview to assess their suitability for the Early Childhood Care and Education program. This step helps in understanding the candidate's motivation and commitment to pursuing a career in education.
- Document Verification: After the counseling/interview, selected candidates are required to submit their original documents for verification.
- Fee Payment: Once the verification is completed, candidates need to pay the prescribed admission fees to secure their seats in the ECCE program.
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Ideally, you must have a first class and must take your IELTS or TOEFL. An overall IELTS score of 6 with no section less than 5.5 is required and if TOEFL then a score of 80 to 100 depending on the university.
You must also mention on your SOP why you want to pursue early childhood education after coming from a commerce background. Have your intentions clear and explain the same to the university.
Early Childhood Care and Education Entrance Exams 2025
Admission to Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programs in India is generally merit based especially for certificate and diploma courses offered by most institutes. However, some reputed universities and colleges may conduct entrance exams or interviews to assess a candidate’s aptitude for teaching and understanding of child development. Students can check out the table below to know about entrance exams involved in the Admission for ECCE Courses:
|
ECCE Entrance Exam |
Exam Dates |
Exam Schedule |
|---|---|---|
|
CUET 2026 |
Apr ' 26 (Tentative) |
|
|
CUET PG 2026 (for PG Courses) |
Mar ' 26 (Tentative) |
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JMI Entrance Exam 2026 |
Apr ' 26 (Tentative) |
Note- This information is sourced from the official website of the institute/exam.
Relevant links for Teaching Courses Entrance Exams 2025:
Determine every subject on which you must concentrate. Create a comprehensive plan to address such issues. Review the subjects that you find more challenging. Go over the practise exams. Look at the question from last year and note the key points. Try to comprehend the paper's design.
Here is a general summary of the CUET syllabus:
English Language: This section's questions are meant to evaluate a candidate's command of the language's grammar, vocabulary, understanding, and writing abilities. Questions in this part test your general knowledge on a variety of subjects, including geography, history, politics, economics, and current events. Questions in this part gauge a candidate's aptitude for applying logic and reasoning to problem-solving and analysis. Numerical Aptitude: This section's questions assess a candidate's aptitude for mathematics and familiarity with topics including trigonometry, algebraic geometry, and arithmetic. Questions in this area are based on subject-specific topics such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry for various courses including B.Sc., B.Com., and B.A. Biology Statistics Accounting, economics, and Business Studies. Candidates are advised to check the official website of the University of Calcutta for the detailed syllabus of CUET for the course they are applying for.
ECCE Admission 2025: Top Entrance Exams Syllabus
The syllabus for various ECCE entrance exams in India is designed to assess a candidate’s basic knowledge, communication skills, and aptitude for working with young children. These exams typically include sections on general awareness, language proficiency (English or regional language), reasoning ability and basic concepts of child development and education. The following section outlines the common subjects and topics covered in the syllabus of different ECCE entrance exams across India. Students can find the syllabus for a few popular ECCE entrance exams in this section:
|
ECCE Entrance Exam Syllabus |
ECCE Exam Syllabus Details |
|---|---|
|
The CUET syllabus is generally based on subjects studied at the senior secondary level. The key areas include General Knowledge and Current Affairs, English Language Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, and Education or Psychology-related basics depending on the specific course. Questions assess the candidate’s awareness of social and educational issues, language proficiency, and mental ability. While CUET UG doesn’t offer a specific ECCE paper, candidates applying for B.A. in Education or related ECCE programs should prepare topics relevant to early childhood development, foundational literacy, and teaching aptitude. |
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The syllabus focuses on a mix of general and subject-specific areas. It includes General Awareness, Basic English Language Skills, Logical Reasoning, and an understanding of Child Development and Pedagogy. Candidates should be familiar with topics like developmental milestones in children, the role of play in learning, and basic educational psychology. Additionally, JMI may also assess the candidate’s communication skills and motivation for early childhood education during a personal interview or written expression test as part of the selection process. |
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The syllabus for the Postgraduate ECCE Program entrance exam becomes more subject-specific. It typically covers Foundations of Education, Child Development, Learning Theories, Curriculum Planning, Inclusive Education, and Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Education. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate analytical and critical thinking through sections on Teaching Aptitude, Research Methodology, and Education and Society. Proficiency in English and reasoning ability may also be tested depending on the university's requirements under CUET PG. |
Note: This information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.
Determine every subject on which you must concentrate. Create a comprehensive plan to address such issues. Review the subjects that you find more challenging. Go over the practise exams. Look at the question from last year and note the key points. Try to comprehend the paper's design.
Here is a general summary of the CUET syllabus:
English Language: This section's questions are meant to evaluate a candidate's command of the language's grammar, vocabulary, understanding, and writing abilities. Questions in this part test your general knowledge on a variety of subjects, including geography, history, politics, economics, and current events. Questions in this part gauge a candidate's aptitude for applying logic and reasoning to problem-solving and analysis. Numerical Aptitude: This section's questions assess a candidate's aptitude for mathematics and familiarity with topics including trigonometry, algebraic geometry, and arithmetic. Questions in this area are based on subject-specific topics such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry for various courses including B.Sc., B.Com., and B.A. Biology Statistics Accounting, economics, and Business Studies. Candidates are advised to check the official website of the University of Calcutta for the detailed syllabus of CUET for the course they are applying for.
JMI selection criteria includes shortlisting of candidates on the basis of scores obtained in JMI exam. For some courses candidates are required to also appear for Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI). The cut off for each course is released after the selection procedure is over and candidates are called for counselling and document verification. Candidates should go through the selection process mentioned in the e prospectus of JMI for their respective course.
ECCE Admission 2025: Quick Preparation Tips
Candidates who are aspiring to take admissions to ECEE courses must realize the growing competitiveness of exams that help to get admission into Teaching Courses. The difficulty level of questions has increased as well as the syllabus also includes logical and verbal reasoning. Therefore, candidates must be well prepared in the various sections of the examination such as Teaching Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, General Awareness, and Language Proficiency.
- Know exam patterns and the weightage of various sections in the examination as well as the negative marking and time limit for various examinations.
- Understand and memorize the syllabus thoroughly to prepare a strategy for the easy and difficult topics and analyze the most important and mark-relevant areas in exams.
- Refer to limited sources to avoid confusion and clear the basic concepts. Candidates can refer to basic books for Reasoning and Verbal Ability, and refer to guide books for teaching aptitude.
- Prepare a timetable to prioritize the important subjects and cover all topics for reading as well as revisions.
- Refer to PYQs to understand the difficulty of the examination and prepare effectively for the most repeated areas.
- Solve Mock Tests to gauge preparation and increase the ability to attempt more and reduce wrong attempts.
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NTT Admission 2025: Registration, Qualification, Selection Process
NTA has mentioned that CUET UG 2026 syllabus will adhere to NCERT syllabus. Hence, it can be assumed that the NCERT books are enough to cover the syllabus of the CUET UG exam. Candidates must note that, CUET exam tests students' understanding of the subject concepts and ability to apply them in various situations.
Therefore, to prepare well and get a good score, it is advised that students refer to other study materials and books designed for national-level competitive entrance exams. The CUET UG syllabus is similar with the Class 12 Board exam syllabus. The chapters and topics are similar to Class 12 syllabus. Unlike other UG entrance exams, CUET UG syllabus does not include Class 11 syllabus.
Best ECCE Colleges 2025: Admission Details
Early Childhood Care and Education courses admission in Indian colleges can be taken at certificate, diploma, or degree levels.
ECCE Admissions in Best Government Colleges
Government ECCE colleges in India are highly sought after due to their affordability, experienced faculty, and recognition. Check the following table for insights into the Colleges offering ECCE in India, along with their fees:
|
ECCE Government Colleges Admission Details |
ECCE Fees |
|---|---|
|
INR 14,400 |
|
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The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU) ECCE Admission |
INR 9,760 |
|
INR 37,235 |
|
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INR 40,000 |
|
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INR 60,000 |
|
|
Tata Institute of Social Sciences - School of Vocational Education ECCE Admission |
INR 60,000 |
|
INR 12,750 |
|
|
Directorate of Distance Education, Madurai Kamaraj University ECCE Admission |
INR 5,000 |
|
INR 14,800 |
|
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Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) ECCE Admission |
INR 2,000 - INR 10,800 |
Note - This information is taken from the official site and may vary.
ECCE Admissions in Best Private Colleges
Admission into the best private colleges for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) course in India offers students access to modern teaching methodologies, well-equipped facilities, and strong placement support. Students who are interested in pursuing this course from top ECCE Private Colleges in India can check the table below:
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ECCE Private Colleges Admission Details |
ECCE Fees |
|---|---|
|
INR 3 Lakh |
|
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INR 10,000 |
|
|
INR 86,667 |
|
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INR 30,000 |
|
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INR 20,000 |
|
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INR 60,000 |
|
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INR 45,000 |
|
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INR 7,500 |
|
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NA |
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|
INR 36,000 - INR 72,000 |
Note - This information is taken from the official site and may vary.
The following colleges offer 1 year UG Diploma in ECCE which can be pursued by candidates who have completed Class 12 from recognised board.
No, a Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (DECE) from IGNOU is not recognized by the NCTE as a qualification for pursuing a B.Ed. program. The NCTE requires specific teacher education programs for B.Ed. eligibility, and DECE does not fall under this category.
ECCE Admissions 2025: Colleges Accepting Different Exam Scores
Different colleges across India accept various qualification scores and admission criteria for the Early Childhood Care and Education course depending on the level and type of program offered. While many institutions admit students based on their 10+2 marks for certificate and diploma programs, some universities, especially for degree-level ECCE courses may consider entrance exam scores or conduct interviews to evaluate candidates.
Click on the links below to find popular ECCE colleges in India as per the entrance exam score acceptance:
Yes, many institutes and universities offer ECCE courses online allowing flexibility for working professionals and students. These online courses include video lectures, assignments, interactive sessions, and internships. Some of the top platforms offering ECCE courses include:
- Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
- Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU)
- Tamil Nadu Open University
- Various private e-learning platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Skillshare
ECCE Admission 2025: Placements in Best Colleges
Campus placements are a great way to kickstart your career journey with top employers and a good salary package. Check some top ECCE colleges in the table below for more placement details -
|
Name of College |
Average Package Offered |
|---|---|
|
INR 9.25 LPA |
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INR 4.25 LPA |
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INR 3.3 LPA |
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Tata Institute of Social Sciences - School of Vocational Education Placements |
INR 1.5 - 3.08 LPA |
Note - This information is taken from the official site and may vary.
Relevant Links:
Colleges providing Certificate Courses in ECCE
Colleges Providing Diploma Courses in ECCE
No, a Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (DECE) from IGNOU is not recognized by the NCTE as a qualification for pursuing a B.Ed. program. The NCTE requires specific teacher education programs for B.Ed. eligibility, and DECE does not fall under this category.
Some of the top colleges offering PG Diploma in ECCE are as follows:
Early Childhood Care and Education Admission 2025 FAQs
This section covers FAQs related to ECCE Admission 2025:
There are multiple course types depending on duration and level which are mentioned below:
| Course Type | Duration | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate in ECCE | 6 months – 1 year | Beginners or part-timers |
| Diploma in ECCE | 1–2 years | Students after 12th |
| Advanced Diploma | 2 years | For specialisation (after diploma) |
| B.A. in ECCE | 3 years | For those aiming at deeper studies |
| PG Diploma in ECCE | 1 year | Graduates wanting early years training |
| Distance/Online ECCE | Flexible | For in-service teachers or homemakers |
Note- This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.
You can choose a course based on your time, goals, and future plans.
Candidates who have completed ECCE are not eligible for CTET. To appear for CTET, Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from an accredited university or institution to be eligible for the CTET.
Additionally, they must possess a 4-year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree or a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.). While some colleges take admission on a merit basis, some of them conduct entrance exams.
Yes, you can pursue Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) courses after graduation. The basic eligibility criteria to take admission into ECCE Course is 10+2 level qualification. For post-graduation courses, the eligibility is 10+2+3 or 10+2+4 levels of education.
Hope it helps.
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The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) course trains individuals to care for and educate children from birth to 8 years old. It focuses on child psychology, play-based learning, physical and emotional development, and classroom activities for pre-primary levels.
You should apply if: