The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) twice a year. It is a mandatory qualification for those aspiring to teach in Central Government schools like KVS, NVS, and Tibetan Schools.
As of April 10, 2026, the February 2026 session has concluded, with results and final answer keys already released. If you are planning for the next cycle (typically held in July or December), here is a comprehensive overview of the exam structure.
1. Exam Structure & Papers
The exam is divided into two papers. You can choose to appear for one or both depending on your career goals.
|
Feature |
Paper I (Primary) |
Paper II (Upper Primary) |
|
Target Classes |
Classes 1 to 5 |
Classes 6 to 8 |
|
Duration |
2.5 Hours (150 Minutes) |
2.5 Hours (150 Minutes) |
|
Total Questions |
150 MCQs |
150 MCQs |
|
Total Marks |
150 Marks |
150 Marks |
|
Mode of Exam |
Offline (Pen & Paper / OMR) |
Offline (Pen & Paper / OMR) |
Note: There is no negative marking in CTET. Every correct answer earns you 1 mark.
2. Syllabus Breakdown
The syllabus is based on NCERT textbooks and focuses heavily on pedagogy (the method and practice of teaching).
Paper I (Classes 1–5)
Child Development & Pedagogy: 30 Questions
Language I (Compulsory): 30 Questions
Language II (Compulsory): 30 Questions
Mathematics: 30 Questions
Environmental Studies (EVS): 30 Questions
Paper II (Classes 6–8)
Child Development & Pedagogy: 30 Questions
Language I: 30 Questions
Language II: 30 Questions
Subject-Specific (Pick One): 60 Questions
Mathematics & Science (for Math/Science teachers)
Social Studies/Social Science (for Arts/Humanities teachers)
3. Eligibility Criteria
Nationality: Indian Citizen (or subjects of Nepal/Bhutan/Tibetan refugees).
Age Limit: Minimum 17–18 years. There is no upper age limit, making it accessible for career changers.
Educational Qualifications:
Paper I: Senior Secondary (Class 12) with 50% marks + 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) OR B.El.Ed.
Paper II: Graduation with 50% marks + B.Ed OR B.El.Ed.
4. Qualifying Marks & Validity
To pass the CTET, candidates must meet the minimum qualifying percentage:
General Category: 60% (90 out of 150 marks).
OBC/SC/ST/PwD: 55% (82 out of 150 marks).
Certificate Validity: The CTET qualifying certificate is now valid for life. Once you pass, you don't need to retake it, though many candidates do so to improve their scores.
5. Current 2026 Status
February 2026 Session: Results were announced on March 30, 2026.
Next Notification: Usually, the notification for the second session of the year (July/August) is expected to release in May 2026.
Are you planning to appear for the upcoming session, or are you looking for specific study resources for one of the subjects?
Pay scale: ₹35,400 to ₹1,51,100 depending on the position
6. Eligibility Criteria
The persons possessing minimum qualifications for the teaching staff in accordance with the following are eligible for appearing in the CTET:
National Council for Teacher Education (Determination of Minimum Qualifications for Persons to be recruited as Education Teachers and Physical Education Teachers in Pre-Primary, Primary, Upper Primary, Secondary, Senior Secondary or Intermediate Schools or Colleges) Regulations as amended and notified from time to time.
Minimum qualifications laid down in the Recruitment Rules for the teachers by the Appropriate Government where the school is situated or the Recruitment Rules for the teachers of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangthan or Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti.
The candidate should satisfy his/her eligibility before applying and shall be personally responsible in case he/she is not eligible to apply as per the given eligibility criteria. It is to be noted that if a candidate has been allowed to appear in the Central Teacher Eligibility Test it does not imply that the candidate’s eligibility has been verified. It does not vest any right with the candidate for appointment. The eligibility shall be finally verified, by the concerned recruiting agency / appointing authority.
information given is roughly, please vist official website for actual information https://ctet.nic.in/
| Notification: | May 2026 (Expected) for Second Session |
| Registration: | May-June, 2026 ((Expected)) |
| Exam Date: | July-Aug, 2026 (Tentative of Examination) |
| Exam Mode: | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Exam Pattern: | Paper I (Classes 1–5), Paper II (Classes 6–8) |
| Vacancy: | No Data Available |
| Pay Scale: | Eligibility Test (Pay Scale not Applied) |
| Age Criteria: | 18 Years Minimum Age, No Upper Age Limit |
| Eligibility: | Visit Official Website |
| Official site: | https://ctet.nic.in/ |