The indomitable spirit of higher education paves the way for the growth of a nation in the political, economic, social, intellectual and spiritual dimensions. Teacher education is one of the areas in higher education which trains student-teachers in pedagogy, which in turn helps them to train the young minds of educational institutions. The "Fate of the nation is decided in the classroom," is a remark made by the Education Commission of India. Such classrooms are created by committed and dedicated teachers. These teachers are trained in teacher education institutions. Teacher education institutions should maintain quality to ensure the academic excellence of trainees who come into the teaching profession. Quality is a comparative standard prescribed for those institutions that are on the quest for output brilliance. Quality assurance in teacher education reflects on the high profile of the institution and the competency of student-teachers. The present study on the application of principals of TQM in teacher education institutions in India has exposed the tangibility of institutions in the perception of teachers based on eleven quality indicators, such as principal as leader, teacher quality, linkage and interface, students, co-curricular activities, teaching, office management, relationships, material resources, examinations and job satisfaction. A total of nine colleges of education was selected to collect data. The exploratory technique under the survey method of research design was used for the study. A tool--"Teacher Institutional Profile" (TIP)--was constructed, standardized and used for data collection. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were made for finding and interpreting results. The findings focus on the strong and weak areas of various teacher education institutions according to the quality indicators. The study recommends further strengthening of quality indicators, which are already strong, and the revamping of weaker quality indicators. It is also recommended that institutions should adhere to the quality standards set by national and international assessment and accreditation bodies. In conclusion, the global scenario expects skilled teachers to produce students with a versatile personality for which teacher education should be strengthened. (Contains 5 tables and 2 figures.)