CTET
Central Teacher Eligibility Test
CTET is the Central Government's teacher eligibility test, conducted by CBSE in pen-and-paper mode on OMR answer sheets. Paper I is for those who intend to teach Classes I–V and Paper II for Classes VI–VIII; anyone who wants to teach both levels takes both papers. It applies to Central Government schools (KVS, NVS, Central Tibetan Schools and others) and to schools under the administrative control of certain Union Territories, including Delhi; unaided private schools may also consider it, a state may consider it if it does not conduct its own TET, and CBSE-affiliated schools require teachers of Classes I–VIII to have passed CTET or a TET. A CTET pass is one of the eligibility criteria for appointment, not a right to a job — recruitment is carried out separately by the school or recruiting authority. The qualifying certificate is valid for life for appointment unless the appropriate government notifies otherwise, and there is no limit on attempts.
Frequency
Held in numbered editions announced by CBSE — the 21st edition in February 2026; the 22nd is scheduled for 12–13 December 2026 (confirm on ctet.nic.in)
Duration
2 hours 30 minutes per paper (Paper II in the morning shift, Paper I in the afternoon shift)
Format
Paper-based
Score range
150 marks per paper — 150 multiple-choice questions of one mark each, no negative marking; under NCTE's notification a score of 60% or more is a TET pass (school managements may give concessions to reserved categories)
Eligibility
The minimum teacher qualifications in NCTE's Minimum Qualifications Regulations (as amended), or in the Recruitment Rules of the appropriate government, KVS or NVS; NCTE allows up to 5% relaxation in the qualifying marks of the minimum educational qualification for SC/ST/OBC/differently-abled candidates. Eligibility is finally verified by the recruiting authority — confirm on ctet.nic.in and ncte.gov.in
Conducting body
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Registration fee
CTET September 2026 (22nd edition): General/OBC (NCL) ₹1,000 for one paper or ₹1,200 for both; SC/ST/differently-abled ₹500 for one paper or ₹600 for both; GST extra
Source: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Details here are for guidance only — fees, dates and eligibility change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
Verified against: CTET — official portal (CBSE); CBSE — CTET September 2026 Information Bulletin (22nd edition); CBSE — public notice: 22nd edition of CTET on 12–13 December 2026 (14 Sep 2026); CBSE — public notice: re-opening of applications for the 22nd edition (25 Aug 2026); CTET — Eligibility Criteria (CBSE); CBSE — CTET frequently asked questions (certificate validity).
Last verified: 30 September 2026.
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