CTET
Central Board of Secondary Education
CTET is a Central Board of Secondary Education test of teaching eligibility for Classes I to VIII, conducted twice a year.
CTET is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education for candidates seeking teaching posts at the primary and upper primary level. It has two papers, Paper I for Classes I to V and Paper II for Classes VI to VIII, each carrying 150 marks across 150 objective questions in a 2.5 hour online computer based test. Candidates may attempt one paper or both, depending on the class level they intend to teach.
Frequency
2 times a year
Overview
What is CTET?
The examination establishes whether a candidate meets the required standard of subject knowledge and teaching pedagogy before being considered for a teaching post. Paper I covers the Classes I to V level and Paper II the Classes VI to VIII level, with both papers testing Child Development and Pedagogy alongside two languages and the relevant subject content. Candidates who qualify compete for teaching posts placed in the Rs 35,400 to Rs 1,12,400 scale at PRT and TGT Level 7, with allowances including HRA, DA, TA, Medical, Uniform and EPF. The career progression on record runs from PRT to TGT to PGT, then to Vice Principal and Principal.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must be Indian citizens aged between 18 and 35 years, with relaxation of 3 years for OBC candidates and 5 years for SC and ST candidates. For Paper I, covering Classes I to V, the requirement is a D.El.Ed along with Class 12 with 50 per cent marks. For Paper II, covering Classes VI to VIII, the requirement is a B.Ed along with a graduate degree. The test suits candidates who have completed a recognised teacher training course and intend to teach at school level, since the papers weigh pedagogy as heavily as subject content.
Career Opportunities
CTET is an eligibility test for teaching posts, with Paper I covering Classes I to V and Paper II covering Classes VI to VIII. Candidates who qualify Paper I enter at the primary teacher level, while Paper II qualifiers are considered for upper primary and trained graduate teacher posts. The pay scale attached to these posts runs from Rs 35,400 to Rs 1,12,400, corresponding to the PRT to TGT Level 7 range. Progression from the entry teaching grade moves to TGT, then PGT, and later to administrative roles such as Vice Principal and Principal. Candidates who clear both papers widen the range of class levels they can be considered for.
How to Apply
- 1
Check eligibility for the correct paper
Confirm whether you qualify for Paper I, Paper II or both, since Paper I needs D.El.Ed with 12th (50%) and Paper II needs B.Ed with graduation.
- 2
Open the official CTET portal
Go to https://ctet.nic.in and read the information bulletin hosted there before starting the form, as it carries the authoritative instructions issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education.
- 3
Complete one time registration
Fill name, parents' names, date of birth, mobile number and email exactly as in the matriculation certificate; the system generates an application number and password sent to the registered mobile and email.
- 4
Fill the detailed application form
Log in with the application number and password, choose Paper I, Paper II or both, select the language for Language I and Language II from the listed options, pick your examination city preferences and enter educational qualification details.
- 5
Upload scanned photograph and signature
Upload a recent passport size photograph and a signature in the file formats and pixel or size limits specified in the bulletin; blurred or oversized files are rejected by the upload utility.
- 6
Pay the examination fee online
Pay through debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI on the integrated payment gateway, and wait for the confirmation page rather than refreshing during the transaction.
- 7
Download and verify the confirmation page
Save and print the final confirmation page, check the paper opted and language choices on it, and retain it along with the application number for later admit card download and result queries.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
18–35 years
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | +3 years |
| SC | +5 years |
| ST | +5 years |
Educational Qualification
For Paper I (Class I-V): D.El.Ed + 12th (50%). For Paper II (Class VI-VIII): B.Ed + Graduation.
Nationality
Indian citizen.
Paper I, which covers teaching for Classes I to V, requires a D.El.Ed along with Class 12 passed with 50 per cent marks. Paper II, which covers Classes VI to VIII, requires a B.Ed along with graduation. The age limit runs from a minimum of 18 years to a maximum of 35 years, with relaxation of 3 years for OBC candidates and 5 years each for SC and ST candidates. Only Indian citizens may apply.
Selection Process
Paper I (Primary: Class I–V)
Online CBT · 2.5 hours
Paper II (Upper Primary: Class VI–VIII)
Online CBT · 2.5 hours
Final Selection
Exam Pattern
Paper I (Primary: Class I–V)
Online CBTDuration: 2.5 hoursTotal: 150 marks| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
Paper II (Upper Primary: Class VI–VIII)
Online CBTDuration: 2.5 hoursTotal: 150 marks| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Subject Specific (Maths/Science or Social) | 60 | 60 |
Detailed Syllabus
- Concept of development and its relationship with learning
- Principles of child development and influence of heredity and environment
- Piaget, Kohlberg and Vygotsky: constructs and critical perspectives
- Socialisation processes: society, parents, teachers and peers
- Individual differences among learners and multi-dimensional intelligence
- Concept of inclusive education and children with special needs
- Addressing learners from disadvantaged and deprived groups
- Learning difficulties, underachievers and children with learning disabilities
- Learning as a process: factors contributing to learning in children
- Motivation and emotions in learning
- Assessment for learning, continuous evaluation and formulating questions
- Cognition, emotions and the role of language in thinking
Salary & Career Growth
Pay Scale
Rs 35,400 to Rs 1,12,400 (PRT-TGT Level 7)
Allowances & Benefits
Posts in this pay structure carry House Rent Allowance, Dearness Allowance, Transport Allowance, Medical benefits, a Uniform Allowance and Employees' Provident Fund contributions in addition to basic pay in the Rs 35,400 to Rs 1,12,400 range. The applicable rates for the allowances are revised periodically and vary with posting location and the employing organisation. Candidates should check the recruiting body's notification for the components that apply to a specific post.
Promotion Hierarchy
PRT to TGT to PGT to Vice Principal to Principal
Job Security
Appointments made on the strength of this qualification carry the pay scale of Rs 35,400 to Rs 1,12,400 under PRT to TGT Level 7, along with a defined allowance structure. The test itself is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education, and the qualification is used as the eligibility standard for teaching posts at the primary and upper primary levels. Service conditions and the terms of appointment are set by the recruiting organisation and should be read from its own notification.
Preparation Strategy
For Beginners
Begin by deciding which paper applies to you, since Paper I covers Classes I to V and requires D.El.Ed with 12th (50%), while Paper II covers Classes VI to VIII and requires B.Ed with graduation. Both papers are online computer-based tests of 150 marks in 2.5 hours, so the first task is to build speed on 150 objective questions within that limit. Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I and Language II carry 30 questions each in both papers, which means roughly 90 of the 150 marks are common ground and deserve the earliest and steadiest study time. After that, split the remaining effort according to your paper: Mathematics and Environmental Studies at 30 questions each for Paper I, or the single 60-question subject-specific section, Maths and Science or Social Studies, for Paper II.
Intermediate Level
Inconsistent mock scores at this stage usually trace to Child Development and Pedagogy rather than the content sections, because 30 of the 150 marks sit there and the questions reward applied understanding of learner behaviour rather than recall of definitions. Score each mock section by section and compare across attempts, since a candidate steady in Language I and Mathematics but swinging by eight or ten marks in pedagogy has a diagnosis, not a general weakness. For Paper II, the Subject Specific section carries 60 of the 150 marks, so time spent there returns more than equal time spread across the three 30-mark sections, and the pedagogy content within that subject should be revised alongside the subject matter itself. With 150 questions in 2.5 hours, hold a timed full paper every week to fix a per-section time budget, and confirm the marking scheme in the official notification before deciding how to handle questions you are unsure of.
Advanced (Final Stage)
In the closing weeks, shift entirely to full-length timed papers: 150 questions in 2.5 hours works out to about one minute per question, and the only way to hold that pace is to practise at it. Revise Child Development and Pedagogy through previously attempted questions rather than by rereading theory, since that section carries 30 marks on both papers and rewards familiarity with how the options are framed. For Paper II, the Subject Specific block of 60 questions is the largest single component, so give it the first and longest slot in the daily revision schedule, with Language I and Language II kept warm through short daily sets. Confirm the marking scheme for the current cycle from the official notification before fixing an attempt strategy, and settle on a fixed section order in advance so that exam-day time is spent answering rather than deciding.
3-Month Study Plan
Month 1: Build the Child Development and Pedagogy base, since it carries 30 questions and 30 marks in both Paper I and Paper II, and settle your choice of Language I and Language II early so revision stays consistent. Cover one pedagogy segment and one language segment each week. Month 2: Move to the content sections, Mathematics and Environmental Studies for Paper I, or the 60 question Subject Specific section for Paper II, keeping pedagogy practice running alongside at a reduced pace. Work through topic level questions in the same multiple choice format used in the paper. Month 3: Attempt full 150 mark papers under the 2.5 hour limit in Online CBT conditions, at least two a week, and use the error log from each attempt to drive revision. Reserve the final fortnight for the weakest two sections and for repeat revision of pedagogy.
6-Month Study Plan
Month 1: Begin with Child Development & Pedagogy, the section common to both Paper I and Paper II, and cover it at 30 questions worth of depth before moving on. Fix the choice of paper in this month, since Paper I covers Class I to V and Paper II covers Class VI to VIII. Month 2: Work through Language I and Language II as separate preparations rather than one combined effort, since each carries 30 questions and 30 marks in both papers. Settle the two language choices early and build vocabulary, grammar and comprehension practice for each. Month 3: For Paper I, take up Mathematics and Environmental Studies, 30 questions each. For Paper II, take up the Subject Specific section, either Mathematics and Science or Social Studies, which carries 60 questions and 60 marks and therefore the largest single weight in that paper. Month 4: Return to pedagogy and attach it to content. Revise the teaching and learning aspects of each content section studied so far, because pedagogy questions appear inside the subject sections and not only in the Child Development & Pedagogy block. Month 5: Start sectional tests under timed conditions, one section of 30 questions at a time, and then join sections into half papers. Track accuracy section by section and return to the weakest two for focused revision. Month 6: Shift to full-length mocks of 150 marks in 2.5 hours in the online CBT format, with at least one mock a week and detailed review after each. Keep the final two weeks for revision of Child Development & Pedagogy and the highest scoring content section, plus repeat attempts at previously wrong questions.
12-Month Study Plan
Month 1: Fix the target paper first. Paper I leads to Class I to V teaching, Paper II to Class VI to VIII, and the choice decides the shape of the next eleven months. Read the official notification for the current cycle, confirm eligibility against the qualification rules, and build a weekly timetable of four to five study hours. Begin Child Development and Pedagogy, which carries 30 questions and 30 marks in both papers. Month 2: Stay on Child Development and Pedagogy for a second month. Work through it slowly at roughly one sub-topic per sitting and keep a single notebook for definitions and theorists. End the month with two sets of 30 practice questions from this section alone, untimed, checking every wrong answer against the source. Month 3: Move to Language I, the medium chosen as the first language. Split the month between comprehension passages and the language pedagogy portion. Read one unseen passage daily. Keep the Child Development notebook open for ten minutes at the start of each session so the first two months do not fade. Month 4: Take up Language II, which is a separate 30 question section and must be prepared as a separate subject, not as a by-product of Language I. Candidates weak in the chosen second language should spend extra sittings on grammar rules and comprehension speed this month. Month 5: For Paper I, start Mathematics, 30 questions and 30 marks. For Paper II, start the Subject Specific section, 60 questions and 60 marks, choosing either Mathematics and Science or Social Studies as per the application. The Paper II subject section is twice the size of any other and deserves twice the time. Month 6: Continue the subject work from Month 5. Paper I candidates should now add Environmental Studies alongside Mathematics. Paper II candidates should stay entirely on the Subject Specific section, since 60 of the 150 marks sit here. Attempt sectional sets of 30 questions each week. Month 7: First full revision round. Go back over Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I and Language II in that order, three weeks, one section per week. Use the fourth week to attempt a half paper, 75 questions in 75 minutes, to begin fixing pace. Month 8: Second subject block. Paper I candidates revise Mathematics and Environmental Studies together, since both carry 30 marks and both reward repeated question practice. Paper II candidates do a second pass over the Subject Specific section and attempt 60 question sets in one sitting. Month 9: Start full length practice. Both Paper I and Paper II run to 150 questions for 150 marks in 2.5 hours, so attempt one complete paper every ten days under clock conditions. The exam is a computer based test, so practise on screen rather than on paper wherever possible. Month 10: Raise the frequency to one full paper a week. After each attempt, spend a full session classifying errors by section. If a single section repeatedly drags the score down, assign it two weekday sittings in the following week and leave the stronger sections on light revision. Month 11: Convert notes into short revision sheets, one sheet per section. Continue weekly full papers. Work specifically on the order of attempt across sections and on the time spent per question, since 150 questions in 150 minutes leaves no room for long pauses. Month 12: Revision only. No new material. Rotate through all five sections of Paper I or all four sections of Paper II across the first three weeks, one full paper every five days. In the final week, cut to revision sheets and one light paper, confirm the admit card details, and keep the sleep schedule aligned to the exam slot timing.
Recommended Books
Child Development & Pedagogy
Child Development and Pedagogy
Arihant Experts · Arihant
Covers the theory and pedagogy questions asked in both papers
Language I
High School English Grammar and Composition
Wren and Martin · S. Chand
Builds the grammar base tested in the passage based questions
Language II
Objective General English
S.P. Bakshi · Arihant
Objective practice on comprehension, usage and error spotting
Word Power Made Easy
Norman Lewis · Penguin
Strengthens vocabulary needed for synonym and antonym items
Mathematics
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations
R.S. Aggarwal · S. Chand
Drill on arithmetic, mensuration and data handling at school level
Subject Specific (Maths/Science or Social)
Certificate Physical and Human Geography
Goh Cheng Leong · Oxford University Press
Clarifies the geography portion for Social Science candidates
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Frequently Asked Questions
CTET is the Central Teacher Eligibility Test conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education. It qualifies candidates for appointment as teachers in Central Government Schools such as Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and Tibetan Schools for Classes I to VIII. Qualifying the test establishes teaching eligibility, and actual appointment depends on the recruiting school system.
CTET is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education. The exam is held two times a year. For the schedule of any particular cycle, check the official notification on https://ctet.nic.in.
Paper I is for candidates who want to teach Classes I to V. The qualification required is a D.El.Ed along with Class 12 with 50 percent marks. Other equivalent qualifications, if any, are listed in the official notification, so read it before applying.
Paper II is for candidates who want to teach Classes VI to VIII. The qualification required is a B.Ed along with graduation. Candidates should confirm the exact qualification wording for their cycle in the official notification.
The stated age criteria are a minimum of 18 years and a maximum of 35 years. Age relaxation is 3 years for OBC candidates and 5 years for SC and ST candidates. Since age provisions can differ by cycle, verify them in the official notification at https://ctet.nic.in.
Candidates holding a D.El.Ed or a B.Ed, depending on the paper they are applying for, are eligible. The candidate must be an Indian citizen. Paper I applicants need the D.El.Ed route with Class 12 at 50 percent, and Paper II applicants need a B.Ed with graduation.
Paper I is an online computer based test of 150 marks with a duration of 2 hours 30 minutes. It has five sections of 30 questions and 30 marks each, Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, Mathematics and Environmental Studies. Each question carries one mark.
Paper II is an online computer based test of 150 marks with a duration of 2 hours 30 minutes. It has Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I and Language II with 30 questions and 30 marks each, plus a subject specific section of 60 questions and 60 marks. The subject specific section is either Mathematics and Science or Social Studies, depending on the subject the candidate intends to teach.
The marking scheme for the papers is set out in the official notification for each cycle. Negative marking is not specified in the pattern details available here. Read the information bulletin on https://ctet.nic.in before the exam so you know the exact marking rules.
The CTET certificate is valid for lifetime once you qualify. There is no bar on the number of attempts you may make to improve your score. For any conditions attached to the certificate, refer to the official notification.
Paper I and Paper II are separate papers meant for different teaching levels, Classes I to V and Classes VI to VIII. Candidates who wish to be eligible for both levels must hold the qualification prescribed for each paper. The procedure and fee for applying to both papers are given in the official notification.
Teachers appointed at the PRT and TGT level draw a pay scale of Rs 35,400 to Rs 1,12,400 under Level 7. Allowances include HRA, DA, TA, Medical, Uniform and EPF, with rates fixed by government rules. The promotion path runs from PRT to TGT to PGT, then to Vice Principal and Principal.
Key Takeaways
- CTET is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education twice a year and is classified as a moderate difficulty teaching recruitment exam.
- CTET Paper I, for Class I to V teaching, requires a D.El.Ed along with Class 12 with 50 per cent marks, while CTET Paper II, for Class VI to VIII teaching, requires a B.Ed along with graduation.
- The age limit for CTET is a minimum of 18 years and a maximum of 35 years, with relaxation of 3 years for OBC candidates and 5 years each for SC and ST candidates.
- Both CTET Paper I and CTET Paper II are held as online computer based tests carrying 150 marks with a duration of 2.5 hours each.
- The pay scale on record for posts linked to CTET qualification is Rs 35,400 to Rs 1,12,400 at PRT to TGT Level 7, with a promotion path running from PRT to TGT to PGT to Vice Principal to Principal.