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CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test)

CTET certifies eligibility to teach Classes I–V (Paper 1) and VI–VIII (Paper 2) in central government schools such as KVS and NVS. Unaided private schools may also consider it, and a state government may consider it in place of its own State TET.

At a glance
Conducted by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Papers Paper 1 (Classes I–V), Paper 2 (Classes VI–VIII); take one or both
Each paper 150 questions, 150 marks, 2 hours 30 minutes, no negative marking
Latest session CTET September 2026 — held 6 September 2026 (Paper 2 morning, Paper 1 evening)
Qualifying marks 60% or more (school managements may give concessions to reserved categories)
Certificate validity Lifetime; no limit on attempts; may reappear to improve the score

Official sources

Exam pattern

Paper 1 Questions Paper 2 Questions
Child Development and Pedagogy 30 Child Development and Pedagogy 30
Language I 30 Language I 30
Language II 30 Language II 30
Mathematics 30 Mathematics and Science, or Social Studies/Social Science 60
Environmental Studies 30

All questions are multiple-choice with four alternatives. One mark per question, no negative marking. The question paper is bilingual (Hindi/English). Paper 2 candidates take Mathematics and Science (30 marks each) or Social Studies/Social Science (60 marks); any other teacher picks either option.

Syllabus

Child development and pedagogy (learning theories, inclusive education, assessment), two languages (comprehension and language pedagogy), and the school subjects with their pedagogy, at the NCERT level of the classes taught. Paper 1 follows the NCERT Classes I–V syllabus (difficulty up to the Secondary stage); Paper 2 follows the NCERT Classes VI–VIII syllabus (difficulty up to the Senior Secondary stage).

How to prepare (free, in order)

  1. Child development and pedagogy appears in both papers: master it first.
  2. Each subject area is tested with its pedagogy. Pair NCERT content with 'how to teach it'.

Free resources