CTET February 2026: Your Ultimate Guide to Paper 1 and Paper 2
Prepare for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test with detailed eligibility, syllabus, application process, fees, and exam dates. Ideal for aspiring teachers for Classes I-VIII.
What is CTET and Why Should You Take It?
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a national-level examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It assesses the eligibility of candidates aspiring to become teachers in primary (Classes I-V) and upper primary (Classes VI-VIII) stages in central government schools like Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS).
Why CTET? As per the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, passing CTET is mandatory for teacher recruitment in central schools. It ensures national standards in teacher quality, boosts your resume, and is valid for a lifetime. Qualifying CTET opens doors to teaching jobs with competitive salaries and job security.
Eligibility Criteria and Qualifications to Apply
Candidates must meet NCTE (National Council for Teacher Education) guidelines. Relaxation of 5% in qualifying marks for SC/ST/OBC/Differently-abled candidates. Below are detailed tables for Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Qualifications for Paper 1 (Classes I-V)
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks | And passed or appearing in final year of 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) |
| Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 45% marks | And passed or appearing in final year of 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education as per NCTE Regulations, 2007 |
| Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks | And passed or appearing in final year of 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed) |
| Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks | And passed or appearing in final year of 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education) |
| Graduation | And passed or appearing in final year of 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (by whatever name known) |
Qualifications for Paper 2 (Classes VI-VIII)
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Graduation with at least 50% marks | And passed or appearing in final year of 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (by whatever name known) |
| Graduation with at least 50% marks | And passed or appearing in 1-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed) |
| Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks | And passed or appearing in final year of 4-year B.A/B.Sc.Ed or B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed |
| Graduation with at least 50% marks | And passed or appearing in 1-year B.Ed (Special Education) |
| Any candidate having requisite qualification(s) | Postgraduate degree in the relevant subject with at least 50% marks from a recognized university and passed or appearing in final year of 3-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed. (or equivalent) |
How to Apply for CTET 2026
- Visit Official Website: Go to ctet.nic.in (applications open from 27.11.2025).
- Register: Fill authentication form with state, ID type, name, DOB, gender.
- Fill Application Form: Enter personal details, choose languages (I & II from list: English-01, Hindi-02, etc.), category, paper (I, II, or both), educational qualifications.
- Upload Documents: Scanned photo (10-100 KB, 3.5x4.5 cm) and signature (3-30 KB, 3.5x1.5 cm) in JPG.
- Pay Fee: Online via Debit/Credit Card/Net Banking.
- Confirmation: Download and print confirmation page. Corrections allowed 23-26 Dec 2025.
Note: No offline mode. Multiple applications lead to cancellation.
Fee Structure
| Category | Only Paper I or II | Both Papers I & II |
|---|---|---|
| General/OBC(NCL) | ₹1000/- | ₹1200/- |
| SC/ST/Differently Abled | ₹500/- | ₹600/- |
GST extra. Non-refundable.
Important Dates and Exam Schedule
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start | 27 November 2025 |
| Last Date for Application & Fee | 18 December 2025 (11:59 PM) |
| Correction Window | 23-26 December 2025 |
| Admit Card Download | Two days before exam |
| Exam Date - Paper II (Morning) | 08 February 2026, 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM |
| Exam Date - Paper I (Evening) | 08 February 2026, 02:30 PM - 05:00 PM |
| Result Declaration | End of March 2026 (Tentative) |
Exam Pattern for Paper 1 and Paper 2
Both papers: 150 MCQs, 150 marks, 2.5 hours, no negative marking. Bilingual (Hindi/English).
Paper 1 Structure
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Paper 2 Structure
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Qualifying Marks: 60% (relaxation for reserved categories).
Downloadable Syllabus for Paper 1 and Paper 2
Click below to download the official syllabus PDF: Syllabus PDF
Or expand sections below for detailed text-based syllabus (based on NCERT Classes I-VIII).
Paper 1 Syllabus
- Child Development (Primary School Child): Concept of development, Principles, Heredity & Environment, Socialization, Piaget/Kohlberg/Vygotsky, Intelligence, etc. (15 Qs)
- Inclusive Education: Diverse backgrounds, Special needs (5 Qs)
- Learning and Pedagogy: Thinking, Strategies, Motivation (10 Qs)
- Content: Geometry, Numbers, Addition/Subtraction, Measurement, Data Handling (15 Qs)
- Pedagogical Issues: Nature of Math, Evaluation, Error Analysis (15 Qs)
- Content: Family, Food, Shelter, Water, Travel (15 Qs)
- Pedagogical Issues: EVS Scope, Learning Principles, Activities (15 Qs)
- Comprehension: Unseen passages (15 Qs each)
- Pedagogy: Principles, Skills, Evaluation, Remedial Teaching (15 Qs each)
Paper 2 Syllabus
- Similar to Paper 1 but for Elementary School Child (age 11-14): Development, Inclusive Education, Pedagogy (30 Qs)
- Mathematics Content: Number System, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration (30 Qs)
- Pedagogical Issues: Nature, Evaluation (10 Qs)
- Science Content: Food, Materials, Living World, Electric Current, Natural Phenomena (20 Qs)
- Pedagogical Issues: Nature of Science, Innovation (10 Qs)
- Content: History (When/Where/How, Empires), Geography (Earth, Environment), Social/Political Life (Diversity, Government) (40 Qs)
- Pedagogical Issues: Concept, Critical Thinking, Sources (20 Qs)
- Similar to Paper 1 (30 Qs each)
Exam Centers
Over 100 cities across India (e.g., Delhi-132, Mumbai-172). Choose 4 preferences during application. Full list in official bulletin.
Preparation Tips
- Refer NCERT books for Classes I-VIII.
- Practice previous years' papers.
- Focus on Pedagogy (30% weightage).
- Time management: 150 Qs in 150 mins.
- Join mock tests on official site.
FAQ
Is CTET valid for state TET?
Some states accept it; check state guidelines.
What if I qualify both papers?
You get certificates for both levels.
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