The CTET exam (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) is the national test that proves you are eligible to teach classes 1 to 8. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts it for the Ministry of Education. It is not a recruitment exam: a CTET pass does not give you a job by itself, but without CTET or a state TET you cannot be appointed as a teacher in most schools that come under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. This guide covers what the TET exam is, eligibility, the paper pattern, the syllabus, how the score is used, and how to prepare.
I have seen many B.Ed and D.El.Ed students lose a year because they thought TET was optional. It is not. Plan for it from the day you start your teacher training.
What is CTET exam and what is a TET exam
TET full form is Teacher Eligibility Test. The rule comes from the RTE Act and the minimum qualifications notified by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). Under these rules, passing a TET is an essential qualification for a teacher of classes 1 to 8 in schools covered by the Act.
There are two kinds of TET:
- CTET: run by CBSE at the national level. It is accepted by central government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, by schools in union territories, and states may also accept it. Private schools often prefer CTET qualified teachers too.
- State TET: run by each state for its own schools. Common ones are UPTET in Uttar Pradesh, REET exam in Rajasthan, HTET in Haryana, the Maha TET exam in Maharashtra (also called MAHATET), K TET in Kerala, TS TET in Telangana, and the Bihar TET for classes 1 to 8.
Some states also hold a separate test for higher classes. The Bihar STET exam, conducted by the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB STET), is for teachers of classes 9 to 12 in Bihar. In short, CTET ka exam kon de sakta hai? Anyone who meets the NCTE qualification for the class level, as explained below.
CTET exam eligibility and qualification
CTET has two papers. Paper I is for those who want to teach classes 1 to 5 (primary). Paper II is for classes 6 to 8 (elementary). You can take one paper or both. The CTET exam eligibility follows NCTE's minimum qualifications, and the final check is done by the school or recruiting body that hires you.
| Paper | For classes | Main qualification routes (as per NCTE norms) |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | 1 to 5 | Class 12 with the required marks (generally 50%) and a 2 year D.El.Ed, or a 4 year B.El.Ed, or a 2 year diploma in special education. Final year trainees can also apply. |
| Paper II | 6 to 8 | Graduation with the required marks (generally 50%) and B.Ed, or graduation with D.El.Ed, or class 12 with a 4 year B.El.Ed or integrated BA B.Ed or B.Sc B.Ed. Final year B.Ed trainees can also apply. |
Reserved categories get marks relaxation as per government rules. One important point: after a Supreme Court ruling, B.Ed is no longer treated as a valid qualification for primary teacher posts. If you only have a B.Ed, focus on Paper II. Always read the eligibility section of the latest information bulletin, because NCTE norms are amended from time to time.
Want to know which course to take first? Read our guides on the B.Ed course for classes 6 to 12 and the NTT and D.El.Ed course for primary and pre-primary teaching.
Age limit for TET exam
CTET has no upper age limit, and there is no limit on the number of attempts. Most state TETs also have no upper age limit, though a few set a minimum age. The age limit that really matters comes later, in the teacher recruitment notification. For example, central school recruitments have set upper limits of about 30 years for primary teachers and higher for TGT and PGT. Check yours with our age limit guide.
CTET exam pattern and time
Both papers have 150 multiple choice questions of one mark each, so 150 marks per paper. The CTET exam time is 2 hours 30 minutes for each paper. There is no negative marking, so attempt every question.
| Section | Paper I (classes 1 to 5) | Paper II (classes 6 to 8) |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 questions | 30 questions (compulsory) |
| Language I | 30 questions | 30 questions (compulsory) |
| Language II | 30 questions | 30 questions (compulsory) |
| Mathematics | 30 questions | Part of the 60 question subject section |
| Environmental Studies | 30 questions | Not asked |
| Subject section | Not asked | 60 questions: Mathematics and Science teachers take that section; Social Studies teachers take the Social Studies section |
| Total | 150 questions, 150 marks | 150 questions, 150 marks |
Language I and Language II must be different languages, chosen from the list in the bulletin. In recent cycles the test has been held offline on an OMR sheet; earlier cycles were held as a CTET online exam. The mode is stated in each information bulletin, so do not assume.
Qualifying marks and certificate validity
You need 60% or more to pass, which is 90 out of 150. School managements and governments may give concessions to reserved category candidates as per their own rules. The CTET certificate is now valid for life, after NCTE removed the old seven year limit. So you clear it once and can keep trying to improve your score.
CTET exam syllabus and TET exam syllabus
The CTET exam syllabus is printed in the information bulletin and is based on the NCERT approach to teaching. Questions test both content and how you would teach it to a child.
- Child Development and Pedagogy: how children grow and learn, learning theories, inclusive education, children with special needs, motivation, assessment and classroom practice.
- Language I and II: unseen passages and poems, grammar, and language teaching methods such as listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and remedial teaching.
- Mathematics: number system, geometry, measurement, data handling, algebra (Paper II), and how to teach maths to children.
- Environmental Studies (Paper I): family, food, shelter, water, travel, plants and animals, plus EVS teaching methods.
- Science and Social Studies (Paper II): class 6 to 8 level topics with pedagogy questions on each subject.
The TET exam syllabus for state tests is very similar, because all of them follow NCTE's framework. State TETs often give more weight to the state language. For example, the TET exam Maharashtra holds (Maha TET) covers the same five areas, and students looking for the TET exam syllabus in Marathi will find Marathi offered as one of the languages.
CTET exam form, fees and how often it is held
The CTET exam form is filled online on the official website, ctet.nic.in. In the latest bulletin, the CTET exam fees were:
| Category | One paper | Both papers |
|---|---|---|
| General and OBC | ₹1,000 | ₹1,200 |
| SC, ST and differently abled | ₹500 | ₹600 |
Fees can change, so check the bulletin before paying. How many times CTET exam held in a year? CBSE usually holds it twice a year. Many students ask "CTET ka exam kab hoga" or search for the upcoming CTET exam date. The honest answer is that CBSE announces each edition through a public notice on ctet.nic.in. Never trust a date from a social media forward. For a state TET, follow that state's board or exam authority website for the TET exam form.
How the TET score is used: jobs after CTET
Passing CTET or a state TET makes you eligible to apply. You still have to clear a separate recruitment exam. Here is where the TET exam for teachers leads:
| Post | TET needed | Central pay level |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Teacher (PRT) in Kendriya or Navodaya Vidyalaya | CTET Paper I | Level 6, basic ₹35,400 |
| Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) | CTET Paper II | Level 7, basic ₹44,900 |
| State primary and upper primary teacher | State TET or CTET as the state allows | State pay scale |
| Private school teacher | Often preferred, sometimes required | School's own pay |
Many students ask about CTET salary. There is no salary for clearing CTET itself. The CTET teacher salary depends on the post you get after recruitment. Read the government teacher salary page for the full breakdown, and use the salary calculator to estimate in-hand pay. For PGT posts (classes 11 and 12), TET is generally not required, but a master's degree and B.Ed are.
Preparation plan for the CTET exam
Most students who already finished D.El.Ed or B.Ed need three to four months of steady study. Here is a plan that has worked for many of my students:
- Weeks 1 to 4: read the bulletin syllabus line by line. Finish Child Development and Pedagogy first, because it appears in both papers and carries 30 marks.
- Weeks 5 to 8: revise NCERT textbooks of classes 1 to 8 for your subjects. Make short notes on teaching methods for each subject.
- Weeks 9 to 12: solve previous papers. CBSE posts old CTET question papers on the official website. Practising real CTET exam question sets is the single best step.
- Final weeks: take timed mock tests of 150 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes. Work on speed in the language sections.
Free TET exam questions and answers are easy to find, but check them against the official answer keys, as many unofficial sets have mistakes. If you are still in class 12 and thinking about teaching, see courses after 12th arts and govt jobs for women.
Official website and where to check updates
The CTET official website is ctet.nic.in. It carries the information bulletin, public notices, the exam form link, previous papers and answer keys. For a state TET, use the website of your state's school education department, board or exam authority. Teacher recruitment notices for central schools come on the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti websites. For college teaching jobs, the route is different: read about UGC NET.
Questions students ask
What is CTET exam kya hota hai in simple words?
CTET is the Central Teacher Eligibility Test conducted by CBSE. It checks whether you are fit to teach classes 1 to 8. Passing it makes you eligible for teacher posts, but you still need to clear a recruitment exam to get a job.
What is the CTET exam qualification for Paper I and Paper II?
For Paper I, you generally need class 12 with 50% marks plus a 2 year D.El.Ed or a 4 year B.El.Ed. For Paper II, you generally need graduation with 50% marks plus B.Ed, or the other routes NCTE allows. Final year trainees can apply.
Is there a CTET exam age limit?
No. CTET has no upper age limit and no limit on attempts. The age limit applies only when you apply for a teacher post, and it is set in that recruitment notification.
How many times is CTET exam held in a year?
CBSE usually holds CTET twice a year. Each edition is announced through a notice on ctet.nic.in, so check the website for the next one.
What are the qualifying marks in CTET and how long is the certificate valid?
You need 60%, that is 90 out of 150. Reserved categories may get concessions from the hiring authority. The certificate is valid for life.
What is the difference between CTET and state TET exams like REET or UPTET?
CTET is a national test accepted by central schools and some states. A state TET, such as REET, UPTET, HTET or Maha TET, is mainly for teacher posts in that state. The pattern is similar because both follow NCTE norms.
Can a B.Ed holder appear in CTET Paper I?
After a Supreme Court ruling, B.Ed is not treated as a valid qualification for primary teacher posts. B.Ed holders should take Paper II. Check the latest bulletin for the current rule.
Sources and official websites
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources. Rules change with each notification, so always read the latest one before you apply.
- Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET), CBSE
- CTET information bulletins
- CTET eligibility criteria
- National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)
- Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
Last checked on 11 October. Spot an error? Tell us on the contact page.