Overview
CTET is the Central Board of Secondary Education's national-level eligibility test that determines whether a candidate meets the minimum teaching-eligibility standard for Classes I–VIII in central government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, and is also accepted by many states and private schools as a valid teaching credential. It's conducted twice a year and offers two papers — Paper I for Primary level (Classes I–V) and Paper II for Upper Primary level (Classes VI–VIII) — with candidates free to appear for either or both depending on which level they intend to teach. Both papers are offline, pen-and-paper, 150-question objective tests with no negative marking, and the CTET 2026 September session is scheduled for 6 September 2026.
What's New in the 2026 Cycle
What changed in the 2026 cycle
- CTET September 2026 session scheduled for 6 September 2026 (with a possible additional day, 5 September, if applications are very high); notification released 27 November 2025; applications open 11 May – 10 June 2026.
- No negative marking in either paper — every attempted question is evaluated even if marked for review.
- Exam is conducted in 27 languages, allowing candidates to choose their preferred Language I and Language II from a wide list.
- CTET certificate validity was made lifetime (no longer limited to 7 years), per CBSE's updated policy.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | No upper age limit specified by CBSE for appearing in CTET |
| Educational Qualification | Paper I: Senior Secondary with 50% marks and 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (or equivalent); Paper II: Graduation with a B.Ed, or Senior Secondary with 50% and 4-year B.El.Ed/B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed (or equivalent) — exact combinations vary by NCTE norms |
| Nationality | Indian citizen (as per CBSE's standard eligibility norms) |
| Application Fee | ₹1,000 for one paper / ₹1,200 for both papers (General/OBC). SC/ST/PwD candidates pay ₹500/₹600 respectively. |
CTET Exam Pattern
The CTET selection process runs through paper i + paper ii (as applicable). Each stage has its own timing, marking scheme and qualifying rules, detailed below.
Paper I (Classes I–V, Primary Level)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
Paper II (Classes VI–VIII, Upper Primary Level)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics & Science (for Maths/Science teachers) OR Social Studies (for Social Studies teachers) | 60 | 60 |
CTET Detailed Subject-Wise Syllabus
Below is the complete topic-wise CTET syllabus for every subject tested across all stages, with a short note on what each section actually rewards — use this to build a section-wise study plan rather than relying on generic topic summaries.
Child Development & Pedagogy (Paper I & II)
Not generic GK — it has its own theoretical framework (Piaget, Vygotsky, inclusive education) that rewards dedicated conceptual study.
- Concept of development and its relationship with learning
- Principles of child development
- Influence of heredity & environment
- Socialisation processes
- Piaget, Kohlberg & Vygotsky — theories of cognitive/moral development
- Individual differences among learners — language, caste, gender, community, religion
- Concept of inclusive education & children with special needs
- Learning and pedagogy — how children think and learn
- Assessment for learning vs assessment of learning, CCE
- Formulating appropriate questions for assessing readiness and enhancing learning
Language I (Paper I & II)
Focuses on pedagogy of language teaching, not just grammar — understand how children actually acquire language, not only the rules themselves.
- Reading unseen passages — prose and poetry, with comprehension, inference and verbal ability questions
- Pedagogy of language development
- Learning and acquisition of language
- Role of listening & speaking, functions of language & how children use it
- Language skills, critical perspective on the role of grammar
- Challenges of teaching language in a diverse classroom
- Teaching-learning materials — textbook, multimedia, multilingual resources
Language II (Paper I & II)
Similar pedagogical focus to Language I, but for your second chosen language — consistency in medium matters more than perceived difficulty.
- Reading unseen prose passages with questions on comprehension, grammar & verbal ability
- Pedagogy of language development in the second language
- Basic processes of language teaching
- Language skills & the role of remedial teaching
Mathematics (Paper I)
Tests elementary-level content plus the pedagogy of teaching it — expect 'how would you teach this' framing, not just calculation.
- Geometry, shapes & spatial understanding
- Numbers, addition & subtraction, multiplication & division
- Measurement, weight, time, volume
- Data handling & patterns
- Nature of mathematics & logical thinking
- Community mathematics & problems of teaching
- Error analysis and remedial teaching
Environmental Studies (Paper I)
Blends everyday-life topics with teaching methodology — NCERT Class 1–5 EVS textbooks are the most direct preparation source.
- Family & friends, food, shelter, water, travel
- Things we make and do
- Concept & scope of EVS, integrated EVS
- Environmental studies & environmental education
- Learning principles, teaching material/aids, activities & CCE in EVS
Mathematics & Science (Paper II — for Maths/Science stream)
Draws directly from Class 6–8 NCERT — thorough textbook revision covers most of the syllabus.
- Number system, algebra, geometry, mensuration (Class 6–8 NCERT level)
- Food, materials, the world of living, moving things, natural phenomena, natural resources
- Nature of science & scientific/mathematical thinking
- Pedagogical issues in teaching Maths & Science
Social Studies/Social Science (Paper II — for Social Studies stream)
Also NCERT-based at Class 6–8 level — pair content revision with pedagogical approaches to teaching history/geography/civics.
- History — key periods & events (Class 6–8 NCERT level)
- Geography — physical, human & resources
- Social & political life — democracy, government, local governance
- Pedagogical issues in teaching Social Studies
Selection Process
- Paper I and/or Paper II — offline objective examination, based on the teaching level intended.
- Candidates who meet the minimum qualifying percentage receive a CTET certificate.
- The CTET certificate itself is not a job offer — it's an eligibility credential used to apply for actual teaching vacancies (KVS, NVS, and other CTET-accepting recruiters).
Salary & Job Profile
CTET itself doesn't carry a salary since it's an eligibility test, not a recruitment exam. Actual teaching posts that accept CTET (e.g. KVS/NVS PRT, TGT) carry their own pay scales — typically Pay Level 6–7 depending on the specific post and recruiting body.
Best Books for CTET Preparation
- NCERT textbooks (Class 1–8) — the exam is directly based on these
- CTET Paper 1/2 Child Development & Pedagogy — Arihant/Disha Publications
- CTET Previous Year Solved Papers — various publishers
- CTET Mathematics & EVS/Science Pedagogy Guide — Arihant Publications
Previous Cut-off Trends
Approximate — always verify officially
CTET doesn't use a competitive rank-based cut-off — instead, there's a fixed minimum qualifying percentage (60% for General category, with relaxation for reserved categories as per each notification). Always check the specific relaxed percentage for your category in the current notification.
Preparation Tips
- Base your preparation directly on NCERT textbooks (Class 1–8) — CTET questions closely track this content rather than external reference material.
- Don't treat Child Development & Pedagogy as generic GK — it has its own distinct theoretical framework (Piaget, Vygotsky, inclusive education) worth dedicated study.
- Choose Language I and Language II based on your genuine strongest languages, not just perceived 'easier' options.
- Since there's no negative marking, attempt every question — there's no downside to guessing on ones you're unsure about.
Exam Day Guidelines
- Carry the Document Checker and a valid original photo ID to the exam centre.
- Since it's an offline OMR-based exam, carry a black ballpoint pen; check the notification for any additional permitted stationery.
- Arrive well before reporting time, since biometric and document verification precede entry.
- No electronic devices are allowed inside the exam hall.
Frequently Asked Questions
CTET is purely an eligibility test — clearing it earns you a certificate confirming you meet the minimum teaching-eligibility standard, but you still need to separately apply for and be selected in actual teaching vacancies.
No, there is no negative marking in either Paper I or Paper II — every attempted question is evaluated.
CBSE updated the CTET certificate validity to lifetime, removing the earlier 7-year limit.
Yes, candidates who wish to be eligible to teach both Primary (I–V) and Upper Primary (VI–VIII) levels can appear for both papers in the same session.
60% (90 out of 150 marks) for the General category, with relaxation typically provided for reserved categories as specified in each notification.
Related Exams
Back to Syllabus Hub — browse all government exam syllabus pagesSyllabus content on this page is compiled and reviewed against the official Central Board of Secondary Education notification as of 16 Jul 2026. Exam patterns, vacancies, salary figures and cut-offs are subject to change — always cross-check with the official notification at ctet.nic.in before applying.