- The Central Board of Secondary Education conducts CTET, and from 3 June 2021 the qualifying certificate is valid for a lifetime, with retrospective effect from 2011
- CTET is now held twice a year, with the February 2026 exam completed and the next session scheduled for September 2026
- General candidates must score 60 percent, that is 90 of 150 marks, to qualify.
Who Conducts CTET and How Is the Exam Structured?
The Central Board of Secondary Education conducts CTET on behalf of the Ministry of Education. It has two papers of 150 marks each. Paper 1 qualifies candidates to teach classes 1 to 5, while Paper 2 is for classes 6 to 8. Aspirants targeting all classes 1 to 8 must clear both papers.
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test is a national eligibility test that both papers use to set a benchmark for teacher quality under the Right to Education Act. Each paper has 150 multiple choice questions carrying one mark each, with no negative marking, and candidates get two and a half hours to attempt a paper in offline mode.
CTET Online FormRead →What Is the CTET Paper 1 Syllabus?
CTET Paper 1 is for teaching classes 1 to 5 and carries 150 multiple choice questions across five sections of 30 marks each: Child Development and Pedagogy, Language 1, Language 2, Mathematics and Environmental Studies. Each correct answer earns one mark, and there is no negative marking for wrong answers.
- Child Development and Pedagogy: focuses on the psychology of teaching and learning for children aged 6 to 11 years, including child development, the concept of inclusive education, understanding children with special needs, and pedagogy.
- Language 1: tests proficiency in the medium of instruction, covering language comprehension and the pedagogy of language development.
- Language 2: tests the elements of language, comprehension ability and communication skills. Candidates choose Language 1 and Language 2 from the available options.
- Mathematics: covers numbers, solving simple equations, algebra, geometry, patterns, measurement, time, data handling and related pedagogical issues, based on the NCERT syllabus for classes 1 to 5.
- Environmental Studies: covers environment, food, shelter, water, family, friends and related themes, along with pedagogical issues.
What Is the CTET Paper 2 Syllabus?
CTET Paper 2 is for teaching classes 6 to 8 and also has 150 questions. Child Development and Pedagogy, Language 1 and Language 2 carry 30 marks each. The fourth section carries 60 marks, and candidates choose either Mathematics and Science or Social Studies and Social Science based on their subject.
- Child Development and Pedagogy: focuses on the psychology of teaching and learning for children aged 11 to 14 years, including child development, inclusive education, children with special needs and pedagogy. It carries 30 marks.
- Language 1: covers language comprehension and the pedagogy of language development, and carries 30 marks.
- Language 2: covers the elements of language, communication and comprehension. Language 2 must be different from Language 1. It carries 30 marks.
- Mathematics and Science (60 marks): for maths and science teachers, covering the number system, algebra, geometry, mensuration, data handling, food, materials, the world of the living, moving things, how things work, natural phenomena and resources, based on the NCERT syllabus for classes 6 to 8.
- Social Studies and Social Science (60 marks): for social studies teachers, covering History, Geography, and Social and Political Life, based on the NCERT syllabus for classes 6 to 8.
What Are the CTET Qualifying Marks and Certificate Validity?
To qualify CTET, general category candidates must score at least 60 percent, which is 90 out of 150 marks. Candidates from OBC, SC, ST and PwD categories need 55 percent, or 82 marks. Since 3 June 2021 the CTET qualifying certificate is valid for a lifetime, with retrospective effect from 2011.
| Category 2026 | Minimum Qualifying Percentage | Marks (out of 150) |
|---|---|---|
| General | 60% | 90 |
| OBC / SC / ST / PwD | 55% | 82 |
When Is CTET Conducted in 2026?
CBSE now conducts CTET twice a year in offline pen and paper mode. The February 2026 session has already been held, and the next session is scheduled for September 2026. Each paper lasts two and a half hours with 150 questions and no negative marking, so accuracy matters throughout.