Digital Transformation and Teacher Education in India: Challenges and Opportunities

Teacher education is regarded as the foundation of the educational system because the quality of education largely depends on the quality of teachers. In India, teacher education has undergone significant transformations from the ancient Gurukul tradition to modern institutional systems. However, despite policy reforms and expansion of institutions, teacher education today faces serious challenges such as commercialization, declining academic standards, inadequate practical training, outdated curricula, and weak institutional ethics. This article critically examines the historical evolution, present crisis, and policy perspectives of teacher education in India. It further explores the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital platforms, and virtual learning environments as emerging support systems for reconstructing teacher education. The study adopts a qualitative and analytical approach based on policy documents, reports, and secondary literature. The paper argues that technology can act as an important pillar in strengthening teacher education, but technological advancement alone cannot resolve institutional crises without ethical commitment, quality governance, and human-centered educational values. The article concludes that teacher education should be viewed not merely as a degree-granting process but as a vital instrument for national development and social transformation.