CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) — Syllabus & Eligibility
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a national-level examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to determine a candidate's eligibility for appointment as a teacher for Classes I to VIII. The CTET certificate is a mandatory requirement for teaching jobs in central government schools like Kendriya Vidyalaya (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya (NVS), and schools under the administrative control of Union Territories. The exam is divided into two papers: Paper I for those intending to teach Classes I to V, and Paper II for those intending to teach Classes VI to VIII.
📌 Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
A candidate must be a citizen of India. There is no age limit for applying for the CTET.
Educational Qualifications
The requirements differ for the two papers:
For Paper I (to teach Classes I to V):
- Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
- Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education, in accordance with the NCTE Regulations.
- Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).
- Graduation with at least 50% marks and a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree.
For Paper II (to teach Classes VI to VIII):
- A Bachelor's degree and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
- Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in a 1-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed).
- Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year B.A/B.Sc.Ed or B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed.
Candidates who intend to be a teacher for both levels (Classes I to V and Classes VI to VIII) will have to appear in both papers.
✍️ Exam Syllabus & Pattern
The CTET is an objective-type (MCQ) examination with no negative marking. The total duration for each paper is 2.5 hours (150 minutes).
Paper I (For Classes I-V)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Language II (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Paper II (For Classes VI-VIII)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Language II (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics and Science (for Maths and Science teachers) OR Social Studies/Social Science (for Social Studies teachers) | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Syllabus for Papers
- Child Development and Pedagogy: Focuses on the psychology of teaching and learning relevant to the specific age group, concepts of child development, and inclusive education.
- Language I & II: Candidates choose two different languages. The questions test proficiency related to the medium of instruction and comprehension abilities.
- Mathematics & Environmental Studies (Paper I): Covers basic concepts, problem-solving abilities, and pedagogical issues in these subjects.
- Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies/Social Science (Paper II): Covers elementary concepts from the respective subjects, focusing on topics taught in Classes VI-VIII.
👉 Note
- A candidate needs to score 60% or more (90 out of 150) in the CTET exam to be considered as a "CTET pass."
- The CTET qualifying certificate is now valid for a lifetime.
- For full official syllabus & eligibility, refer to CTET official website .
☞ Tip for Aspirants: Always refer to the latest official notification for syllabus and eligibility details as they may change year to year.