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CTET Exam 2026: Complete Guide to Pattern, Syllabus, Eligibility and Preparation
CTET qualifies teachers for Classes 1 to 8 in central schools through Paper 1 and Paper 2 with 60 percent qualifying marks. Eligible D.El.Ed and B.Ed candidates apply on ctet.nic.in.
Reading time: about 10 minutes. Verify dates, vacancies and post-wise rules in the official notification before applying.
What this guide covers
CTET exam overview
CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) by CBSE qualifies candidates for teacher recruitment in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and other central schools, and many states and private schools recognise it. It is eligibility only: qualifying never guarantees a job, and recruitment happens through separate vacancies. Authentic details appear only on ctet.nic.in.
| Paper | For | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Classes 1 to 5 | 150 questions, 150 marks |
| Paper 2 | Classes 6 to 8 | 150 questions, 150 marks |
Candidates may appear for either or both papers. Each paper runs 150 minutes with no negative marking.
Eligibility criteria
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Senior secondary with 50 percent plus D.El.Ed or B.El.Ed, or graduation with D.El.Ed. Verify exact combinations |
| Paper 2 | Graduation with 50 percent plus B.Ed, or senior secondary with B.El.Ed for middle-school teaching. Verify combinations |
| Age | No upper age limit is prescribed; minimum 17 years generally. Confirm in the notification |
Exam pattern
Paper 1 (150 marks)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language 1 | 30 | 30 |
| Language 2 | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
Paper 2 (150 marks)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language 1 | 30 | 30 |
| Language 2 | 30 | 30 |
| Maths and Science OR Social Studies | 60 | 60 |
No negative marking in either paper. Qualifying marks are 60 percent (90 of 150) for General and 55 percent for reserved categories per rules.
Syllabus, subject by subject
Child Development and Pedagogy: learning theories (Piaget, Kohlberg, Vygotsky), inclusive education, assessment, NEP 2020 basics. Languages: comprehension, pedagogy of language teaching, grammar. Maths: Classes 1 to 8 content plus pedagogy. EVS and Science or Social Studies: NCERT content plus pedagogical issues. Pedagogy questions recur, so theory plus previous papers both matter.
Important dates and how to apply
CBSE conducts CTET twice a year on ctet.nic.in. This guide carries no dates. The eligibility certificate has lifetime validity under current rules; verify before relying on older articles.
Selection process
- Paper 1, Paper 2, or both with 60 percent qualifying (relaxed for reserved categories).
- Eligibility certificate enabling applications to teacher vacancies.
- Separate recruitments (KVS, NVS, DSSSB, state TETs) for actual jobs.
How to prepare
Master child development and pedagogy first since it carries 30 marks in both papers and recurs conceptually. Study NCERT Classes 1 to 8 content for subject sections, practise previous papers for pedagogy patterns and revise NEP 2020 provisions affecting school education.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Studying only content while neglecting pedagogy theory.
- Confusing CTET eligibility with a teaching job.
- Choosing the wrong subject option in Paper 2.
- Ignoring language pedagogy sections.
- Skipping NEP 2020 updates.
Career opportunities
Qualifiers apply to KVS, NVS, central Tibetan and Army schools, plus state and private schools recognising CTET. PRT, TGT and PGT appointments follow separate vacancy processes with their own written stages.
Practise with Pratiyogita Kosh
Use Pratiyogita Kosh the way toppers use any test series: take a timed mock for CTET, review every error within 48 hours, then build a custom practice set around your weakest topics and re-test. Your dashboard tracks accuracy by subject and topic so each session targets real gaps.
Pratiyogita Kosh is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with any exam body. Archived papers credit their source on the paper page.
Frequently asked questions
What is CTET?
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test by CBSE qualifying teachers for Classes 1 to 8 in central schools.
Paper 1 or Paper 2?
Paper 1 for primary Classes 1 to 5, Paper 2 for elementary Classes 6 to 8. Appear for either or both.
What qualification is needed?
D.El.Ed combinations for Paper 1 and graduation plus B.Ed combinations for Paper 2, per the notification.
What are the qualifying marks?
60 percent (90 of 150) for General and 55 percent for reserved categories under current rules.
Is there negative marking?
No.
How long is the certificate valid?
Lifetime validity under current rules. Verify before relying on older articles.
Does CTET guarantee a job?
No. It is eligibility only; KVS, NVS and other recruitments happen separately.
Where can I practise CTET mocks?
On Pratiyogita Kosh: pedagogy and subject mocks plus custom sets for CDP, languages and EVS.