Teaching Exams
Teaching Eligibility & Recruitment Exams
Teaching Exams Guide – TET, CTET, State TET & Teacher Recruitment Exams
The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) is the gateway to becoming a government school teacher in India. Under Section 23(1) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, NCTE has made it mandatory for every person appointed as a teacher for Classes I–VIII in a school covered under the Act to qualify a TET. The central government conducts the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) through the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), while each state conducts its own TET (UP TET, CG TET, AP TET, REET, Maharashtra TET, etc.) through its education board or recruitment agency.
Beyond the eligibility test, candidates also appear for teacher recruitment examinations such as UP Assistant Teacher, CGSSB Assistant Teacher, DSSSB PRT/TGT/PGT, KVS, NVS and EMRS, where the TET/CTET certificate is usually a pre-requisite. CTET is generally held twice a year; the CTET February 2026 and September 2026 sessions are the current cycle, with the September 2026 Information Bulletin already published on the official portal. State TETs run on recurring cycles announced by the respective state agencies.
Overview / Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Teacher Eligibility Test (Central: CTET; State: State TET) |
| Conducting Body (CTET) | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India |
| Exam Level | National (CTET) / State (State TET) eligibility test for teaching Classes I–VIII |
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) – online |
| Medium | English, Hindi and regional languages (as per state TET) |
| Papers | Paper 1 (Classes I–V) and Paper 2 (Classes VI–VIII) |
| Selection Stages | Single-stage qualifying TET + separate recruitment exam / DV for appointment |
| Negative Marking | No negative marking in CTET |
| Validity | CTET certificate has lifetime validity (extended from 7 years as per 11.02.2021 notification) |
| Official Website | https://ctet.nic.in |
Selection Process
Teaching exams follow a two-tier system. The TET/CTET is a qualifying test – it does not by itself guarantee appointment. The typical flow is:
- TET / CTET examination – secure the qualifying marks in Paper 1 and/or Paper 2.
- Recruitment examination – state-level (UP Assistant Teacher, CGSSB Assistant Teacher) or central (KVS, NVS, EMRS, DSSSB) exam for which the TET certificate is required.
- Merit / Counselling – shortlisting on the basis of recruitment exam marks and category cut-offs.
- Document Verification (DV) – verification of educational certificates, TET certificate and reservation documents.
- Interview (where applicable) – a few PGT-type recruitments include an interview; most PRT/primary recruitments are purely merit-based.
Exam Pattern
CTET Paper 1 is for teaching Classes I to V and Paper 2 for Classes VI to VIII. Both papers are 150 minutes long, have 150 multiple-choice questions carrying 150 marks (1 mark per question) and have no negative marking. A candidate wanting to teach Classes I to VIII must appear in both papers.
CTET Paper 1 (Classes I–V)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy (compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Language I (compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Language II (compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies (EVS) | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
CTET Paper 2 (Classes VI–VIII)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy (compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Language I (compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Language II (compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics and Science OR Social Studies (choose one) | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
State TET pattern: State TETs broadly follow the CTET structure – Child Development and Pedagogy, two languages, Mathematics and EVS (Paper 1) and subject sections (Paper 2) – but question counts and marks vary by state. UP TET, CG TET, AP TET and REET each prescribe their own pattern in their official bulletin, so always confirm the current pattern. Recruitment exams such as KVS PRT/TGT/PGT and DSSSB add General English/Hindi and General Knowledge sections, and PGT papers include a subject-specialisation paper.
Detailed Syllabus
Child Development and Pedagogy (CDP)
- Child development: concept, principles and influencing factors (heredity and environment)
- Stages of development: infancy, early and late childhood, and adolescence
- Piaget's cognitive development theory and Kohlberg's moral development theory
- Vygotsky's socio-cultural theory – Zone of Proximal Development and scaffolding
- Gardner's multiple intelligences, learning styles and individual differences
- Intelligence, IQ, creativity; gifted, slow and average learners
- Theories of learning: behaviourism, cognitivism and constructivism
- Motivation, reinforcement, punishment and transfer of learning
- Teaching-learning process for children of 6–11 years (Paper 1) and 11–14 years (Paper 2)
- Inclusive education, children with special needs and remedial teaching
- Assessment: formative and summative, CCE and evaluation techniques
- RTE Act 2009, gender as a social construct, and NEP 2020 highlights
Language I & Language II
- Unseen passage comprehension – inferring meaning and drawing conclusions
- Grammar: parts of speech, tenses, voice, narration, articles and prepositions
- Vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms, word formation and idioms
- Composition and writing skills: paragraph, letter and essay writing
- Poetry and prose appreciation; figures of speech
- Language acquisition vs language learning; principles of language teaching
- Communicative approach, language games and LSRW (listening, speaking, reading, writing) skills
- Multilingual classrooms and challenges in teaching a language
- Teaching-learning materials and audio-visual aids for language
- Error analysis, remedial teaching and assessment of language proficiency
Mathematics (Paper 1)
- Number system: natural and whole numbers, integers, fractions, decimals
- Place value, HCF, LCM, factors and their operations
- Ratio, proportion, percentage, profit and loss, simple interest
- Geometry: shapes, lines, angles, triangles and quadrilaterals
- Measurement: length, weight, capacity, time and money
- Perimeter, area, volume and data handling (pictographs, bar graphs, average)
- Patterns, symmetry and spatial understanding
- Play-way method, problem-solving approach and concept mapping
- Mathematics anxiety and developing mathematical thinking in children
- Diagnostic and remedial teaching; evaluation of mathematics
Mathematics & Science (Paper 2 – Mathematics part)
- Number system, algebra, linear equations and identities
- Exponents, squares, square roots, cubes and cube roots
- Ratio-proportion, percentages, averages and data interpretation
- Geometry: lines, angles, triangles, circles, congruence and constructions
- Mensuration: surface area and volume of solids
- Statistics: mean, median, mode and graphical representation
- Probability basics and practical problem solving
- Activity-based mathematics teaching, error and misconception analysis
- ICT resources and assessment of mathematical understanding
Environmental Studies (EVS – Paper 1)
- Family and friends: relationships, work, play and animals
- Food: sources, nutrition, balanced diet and food habits
- Water: sources, water cycle, conservation and pollution
- Shelter: types of houses and habitats of plants and animals
- Travel: transport, safety rules and communication
- Plants and animals: interdependence, food chain and conservation
- Environment: air, water, weather, seasons and natural resources
- Health and hygiene: diseases, prevention, first aid and cleanliness
- Community: festivals, diversity, social groups and civic sense
- EVS pedagogy: activity-based learning, projects, field trips and assessment
Science (Paper 2)
- Food: components, deficiency diseases and food preservation
- Materials: nature of matter, metals, non-metals and separation
- Living world: cell, tissues, organs and life processes
- Human body: nutrition, respiration, transportation and reproduction
- Motion, force, work, energy, simple machines and pressure
- Electricity, circuits, magnetism and electromagnetic induction
- Light, reflection, refraction, human eye and sound
- Chemical reactions, acids, bases, salts and everyday chemistry
- Natural resources, pollution and waste management
- Science pedagogy: scientific method, inquiry-based learning and lab work
- Assessment of process skills, scientific attitude and common misconceptions
Social Studies / Social Science (Paper 2)
- Sources of history; Indus Valley, Vedic period and major dynasties
- Medieval and modern India: Mughal period, colonial rule and freedom struggle
- Geography: earth, maps, globes, latitudes and longitudes
- Physical features of India: mountains, rivers, climate, vegetation, soils
- Agriculture, industries, transport and human resources of India
- Indian polity: Constitution, fundamental rights and government structure
- Panchayati Raj, local self-government and democratic institutions
- Indian economy: basic concepts and sectors of economy
- Civics: rights and duties of citizens, social justice and democracy
- Social science pedagogy: maps, timelines, projects and current affairs
- Community resources, ICT integration and assessment of skills
Marking Scheme
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Marks per question (CTET) | 1 mark for each correct answer |
| Negative marking | None in CTET |
| Total marks | 150 per paper |
| Qualifying marks (CTET) | General/EWS: 90 out of 150; OBC/SC/ST/PwD: 82 out of 150 |
| Nature of marks | TET is qualifying only – marks generally do not count in the final merit of state recruitments |
| Cut-off factors | Category-wise cut-offs, vacancies and difficulty level in the recruitment exam |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- For Class I–V (Paper 1): Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% and passed/appearing in the final year of 2-year D.El.Ed, OR 4-year B.El.Ed, OR 2-year D.Ed (special education).
- For Class VI–VIII (Paper 2): Graduation plus passed/appearing in the final year of 2-year D.El.Ed / B.Ed, OR Senior Secondary with 50% and 4-year B.El.Ed / BA/BS.Ed, OR Graduation with 50% and 1-year B.Ed (as per NCTE norms).
- Relaxation in the 50% requirement applies to reserved categories as per NCTE regulations.
- Note: Appearing in CTET does not mean your eligibility is verified – final verification is done by the recruiting agency (official eligibility page).
Age Limit and Attempts
- CTET has no upper age limit and no attempt limit; apply whenever you meet the qualification.
- State TETs may prescribe state-specific age limits at the recruitment stage; check the state notification.
Application Process & Fees
- Visit the official website of CTET or your state TET body and open the active notification.
- Register with a valid mobile number, email ID and Aadhaar/alternate ID.
- Fill in personal, educational and category details; choose papers, medium and exam city.
- Upload scanned photo, signature and certificates in the prescribed format and size.
- Pay the fee online (net banking / card / UPI), submit and print the confirmation page.
- Download the admit card later; carry a valid ID to the exam centre.
| Fee Particular | General | OBC/EWS | SC/ST/PwD |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTET single paper (as per recent bulletin) | Rs 1000 | Rs 1000 | Rs 500 |
| CTET both papers | Rs 1200 | Rs 1200 | Rs 600 |
State TET fees differ by state and are revised periodically – always refer to the current information bulletin. For the current cycle, the CTET September 2026 fee and dates are in the official bulletin linked below.
Salary / Pay Scale
Teachers recruited through TET-based recruitments are paid under the 7th Central Pay Commission (central posts) or corresponding State Pay Rules. Approximate pay levels:
| Post | Pay Level (approx.) | In-hand (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| PRT (Primary Teacher) – KVS/CBSE schools | Level 4 (Rs 25,500–81,100) | Rs 40,000–45,000 + DA/HRA |
| TGT (Trained Graduate Teacher) | Level 6/7 (Rs 35,400–1,12,400) | Rs 55,000–65,000 + allowances |
| PGT (Post Graduate Teacher) | Level 8 (Rs 47,600–1,51,100) | Rs 70,000–85,000 + allowances |
| State govt. school teachers | State pay matrix equivalent | Varies by state (approx. Rs 30,000–50,000 in-hand) |
Indicative figures based on current pay scales; actual in-hand pay varies with DA rates and city category.
Official Links & PDFs
- CTET official website (ctet.nic.in) – notifications, admit cards, results, answer keys
- CTET Information Bulletin page – all current and previous bulletins
- CTET Eligibility Criteria (official)
- CTET Sept 2026 Information Bulletin (PDF)
- CTET Feb 2026 Information Bulletin (PDF)
- CTET Archive (official) – previous year question papers, final answer keys and past information bulletins published by CBSE; includes question papers of Feb 2026, Dec 2024, July 2024, Jan 2024, Aug 2023, Dec 2022 and older cycles
- CTET Previous Year Final Answer Keys (official)
- CBSE Results portal – CTET results
- CBSE official website
- UP TET – UP Basic Education Board
- CG TET – CG Vyapam (Chhattisgarh)
- AP TET – Andhra Pradesh official portal
- REET – Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education
- KVS – Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
- NVS – Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti
- DSSSB – Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board
Preparation Tips & Strategy
- Read the official information bulletin and syllabus first; most questions come from NCERT textbooks of Classes I–VIII.
- Prioritise Child Development and Pedagogy – the most scoring and predictable section; solve previous-year CTET CDP questions.
- In the last month, solve one full mock daily; since there is no negative marking, attempt all 150 questions.
- Read one comprehension passage and revise grammar rules daily for Language I and Language II.
- Revise formulas and short-cuts for Mathematics; for Science/Social Studies make one-page chapter notes.
- Analyse previous papers to spot repeated topics (Piaget, Vygotsky, RTE provisions, basic arithmetic) and track education-related current affairs for recruitment exams.
FAQ
Q: Is CTET the same as TET?
CTET is the national-level Central Teacher Eligibility Test conducted by CBSE; TET refers to state-level tests such as UP TET, CG TET, AP TET and REET. Both qualify candidates to teach Classes I–VIII in their respective systems.
Q: Is there negative marking in CTET?
No. Each correct answer carries 1 mark and there is no deduction for wrong answers.
Q: What is the validity of the CTET certificate?
As per the Ministry of Education notification of 11 February 2021, the CTET certificate has lifetime validity (earlier it was seven years).
Q: Can I apply for CTET more than once?
Yes. CTET has no upper age limit and no restriction on the number of attempts, provided you meet the educational qualification.
Q: Does qualifying CTET guarantee a teaching job?
No. CTET/TET is only a qualifying eligibility test; final selection happens through the recruitment exam and document verification by the recruiting agency (KVS, NVS, state boards, etc.).
Q: Where are CTET notifications and results published?
Notifications, bulletins and answer keys are published on ctet.nic.in, and results are hosted on results.cbse.nic.in.
Keep following the official website of CTET or your state TET body regularly for the latest notification, application window, exam dates, admit cards and results, and never rely on unofficial sources for deadlines or fee changes.