The Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd) is a two-year undergraduate professional programme (now four years as per NEP 2020 in several institutions) that trains students to become qualified physical education teachers, sports coaches, fitness trainers, and sports administrators. LNIPE (Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior) and SNIPES are premier central institutions offering BPEd. Graduates are eligible to teach Physical Education in schools, apply for state Sports Officer positions, enrol for NIS coaching diplomas, and pursue MPEd for higher teaching and research roles.

The BPEd entrance exam typically has 100 objective-type questions in 90 minutes covering four areas: Sports (rules of games, Indian sports achievements, sports history, Olympic movement), Physical Education (fitness, health, methodology, sports psychology basics), Biology (human body systems, musculoskeletal structure, exercise physiology fundamentals at Class 12 level), and General Studies (current affairs, environment, basic reasoning). A physical proficiency test (PPT) covering events like 100m sprint, long jump, and specific sport trials is also required alongside the written test.

Top BPEd institutions include Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE), Gwalior; Sports National Institute of Physical Education Sciences (SNIPES), Thanjavur; various central universities including Jamia Millia Islamia, BHU, and Delhi University; and state universities with physical education departments in Maharashtra (SPPU), Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Private institutions affiliated to sports universities also offer BPEd. LNIPE and SNIPES have the highest national recognition and their graduates are preferred in central government sports jobs.

The physical proficiency test for BPEd typically includes athletic events: 100m sprint, 800m or 1500m run, long jump, high jump, shot put, and sometimes a specific sport skill demonstration. Candidates may choose an optional sport for skill demonstration from a list including Cricket, Football, Hockey, Volleyball, Basketball, Badminton, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Athletics, Swimming, Wrestling, and Gymnastics. Performance in the physical test carries significant weightage (30–40%) in the final merit list at most institutions.

BPEd curriculum covers exercise physiology, sports biomechanics, sports nutrition, psychology of sport, sports administration, officiating and refereeing, first aid and sports injuries, curriculum planning, and practical coaching across multiple sports. Students get opportunities to attend national competitions as officials, complete internships at SAI centres and schools, and participate in interuniversity sports championships. The programme also prepares students for NET Physical Education exam (for college lecturerships), NIS diploma (for professional coaching), and state-level sports department jobs.