The article critically examines the role of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) in shaping teacher education in India. While the establishment of NCTE aimed to ensure planned development, maintain quality, and prevent commercialization of teacher education, the study highlights significant shortcomings in its functioning. The author discusses issues such as corruption, ineffective inspections, substandard teacher education institutions, lack of emphasis on ICT and modern teaching methods, and political influence in decision-making. The article argues that, despite the expansion of teacher education institutions, the quality of teacher preparation has declined, undermining the original objectives of the NCTE. The study emphasizes the need for reform and greater accountability to align policy intentions with actual outcomes in teacher education.