PRAYAGRAJ, April 2 -- The Diploma in Elementary Education (DElEd), once a popular pathway for aspiring teachers in Uttar Pradesh, is witnessing a sharp decline in interest among local candidates. However, since the programme opened to applicants from other states in 2024, demand from outside UP has been steadily rising.

Data shows that 34,124 candidates from other states applied for DElEd in 2024, rising to 37,333 in 2025. In contrast, admissions from within Uttar Pradesh have fallen dramatically: 1,91,162 candidates enrolled in 2024, but only 95,817 secured admission in 2025, filling roughly 40% of the total seats, officials said.

For the 2025 session, UP offered a total of 2,39,500 seats-10,600 at 67 District Institutes of Education a...