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CTET 2026: Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Study Plan

India · 5 subjects · 51 topics · Updated 2026-04-06

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a national-level examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to determine the eligibility of candidates for appointment as teachers for Classes I to VIII in schools governed by the Central government and schools under the NDMC, as well as schools aided by the central government. CTET is also recognized by many state governments and private schools as a benchmark for teacher recruitment. It assesses a candidate's knowledge of child development, pedagogy, language proficiency, mathematics, and environmental studies.

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Verified 2026-04-24

Year: 2026
Subjects: 5
Topics: 51

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📋 Exam Pattern

CTET consists of two papers. Paper I is for candidates aspiring to teach Classes I to V and has five sections: Child Development and Pedagogy (30 questions), Language I (30 questions), Language II (30 questions), Mathematics (30 questions), and Environmental Studies (30 questions). Paper II is for Classes VI to VIII and covers Child Development and Pedagogy (30 questions), Language I (30 questions), Language II (30 questions), Mathematics and Science (60 questions) or Social Studies/Social Science (60 questions). Each paper has 150 MCQs of 1 mark each, to be completed in 150 minutes. There is no negative marking.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

For Paper I (Classes I-V): Candidates must have passed Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and must have passed or be appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed). For Paper II (Classes VI-VIII): Candidates must have graduation with at least 50% marks and must have passed or be appearing in the final year of a 1-year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programme. Candidates with B.El.Ed., D.El.Ed., and D.Ed. qualifications from various states are also eligible.

Subjects & Topics Covered — 51 topics across 5 subjects

Child Development and Pedagogy

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10 topics · Topic 1· Topic 2· Topic 3 + more

English

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8 topics · Grammar and Usage· Vocabulary in Context· Reading Comprehension + more

Mathematics

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15 topics · Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations· Matrices and Determinants· Permutations and Combinations + more

Science

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10 topics · Topic 1· Topic 2· Topic 3 + more

Social Studies

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8 topics · Topic 1· Topic 2· Topic 3 + more

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Frequently Asked Questions — CTET

Everything you need to know about CTET. Scroll down for the complete study guide.

What is CTET and is it mandatory for teaching jobs?

CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) is conducted by CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) for candidates aspiring to become teachers in government schools (KVs, NVs, CBSE-affiliated private schools) in India. It is not mandatory for all teaching jobs — private schools may or may not require it. However, for government teaching positions, clearing CTET is a mandatory eligibility requirement under the CBSE guidelines. The test is conducted twice a year (typically July and December) and the certificate is valid for 7 years.

What is the CTET exam pattern?

CTET has two papers — Paper 1 (for teachers of Class 1–5) and Paper 2 (for teachers of Class 6–8). Paper 1 covers Child Development & Pedagogy (30 questions), Language I (30 questions), Language II (30 questions), Mathematics (30 questions), and Environmental Studies (30 questions) — 150 questions in 150 minutes. Paper 2 covers Child Development & Pedagogy (30 questions), Language I (30 questions), Language II (30 questions), Mathematics & Science (60 questions) OR Social Studies (60 questions) — 150 questions in 150 minutes. There is no negative marking.

What is a good CTET score for teacher recruitment?

To qualify CTET, candidates need 60% aggregate marks (90 out of 150) for the General category — 55% for OBC, 50% for SC/ST. However, qualifying CTET alone does not guarantee a teaching job — it only makes you eligible. Schools then shortlist candidates based on their CTET score, academic qualifications, and interview performance. A score above 90 (60%+ margin) is generally considered competitive and improves your chances of being shortlisted. Many states also accept CTET scores for their state teaching recruitments.

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Exam Name	CTET
Country	🇮🇳 India
Subjects	Child Development and Pedagogy, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
Total Topics	51
Official Source	https://ctet.nic.in
Last Updated	2026-04-06