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CTET Exam 2026: Eligibility, Syllabus, Exam Pattern & Passing Marks Explained
Are you aspiring to build a rewarding career in teaching? The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is your gateway to securing teaching jobs in central government schools like KVS, NVS, and EMRS, as well as various state and private schools across India. Conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the CTET exam 2026 is a mandatory qualification for anyone aiming to teach Classes I to VIII.
If you are gearing up for the upcoming session, this complete guide by Informer Owl breaks down the CTET eligibility criteria 2026, the detailed CTET exam pattern, syllabus, and the all-important CTET passing marks.
Overview of the CTET Exam 2026
Before diving into the detailed syllabus and preparation, here is a quick overview of the examination format and requirements.
- Exam Name : Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET)
- Conducting Body : Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
- Exam Frequency : Twice a year
- Number of Papers : Paper 1 (Classes I–V) & Paper 2 (Classes VI–VIII)
- Total Marks : 150 marks per paper
- Exam Duration : 150 minutes (2.5 hours) per paper
- Official Website : ctet.nic.in
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026
The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) lays out the minimum educational qualifications required to sit for the exam. The age limit mandates candidates to be at least 17 years old, with no upper age restriction.
CTET Educational Qualifications for Paper 1 (Primary Level: Classes I to V)
To teach primary classes, candidates must possess one of the following qualifications:
• Passed 12th grade (Senior Secondary) with a minimum of 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
• Passed 12th grade with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in a 2-year D.El.Ed program as per NCTE norms of 2002.
• Passed 12th grade with a minimum of 50% marks and passed or appearing in a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).
• Passed 12th grade with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in a 2-year Diploma in Special Education.
Educational Qualifications for Paper 2 (Upper Primary Level: Classes VI to VIII)
To teach upper primary classes, you must meet one of the following criteria:
• Graduation in any discipline and passed or appearing in 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 of Education (B.Ed).
• Graduation with at least 45% marks and a 1-year B.Ed program in accordance with NCTE Regulations.
• Passed 12th grade with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in a 4-year B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed or B.El.Ed.
Note: Reserved category candidates (SC, ST, OBC, PwD) are eligible for a 5% relaxation in the minimum qualifying marks required in their educational degrees.
CTET Exam Pattern 2026 (Papers 1 & 2)
The CTET exam consists entirely of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), where each question carries 1 mark. A major advantage of this exam is that there is no negative marking.
CTET Paper 1 Pattern (Classes I to V)
- Child Development & Pedagogy:
- Number of Questions: 30
- Language I (Compulsory):
- Number of Questions: 30
- Language II (Compulsory)
- Number of Questions: 30
- Mathematics
- Number of Questions: 30
- Environmental Studies (EVS)
- Number of Questions: 30
- Total: 150
- Each Question: 1 Mark
CTET Paper 2 Pattern (Classes VI to VIII)
- Child Development & Pedagogy
- Number of Questions: 30
- Language I (Compulsory)
- Number of Questions: 30
- Language II (Compulsory)
- Number of Questions: 30
- Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies/Social Science
- Number of Questions: 60
- Total: 150
- Each Question: 1 Mark
CTET Passing Marks 2026 & Certificate Validity
Knowing the CTET passing marks is vital for your preparation strategy. The NCTE sets strict qualifying percentages that remain uniform across India.
- General / Unreserved: 60% i.e. 90 Marks
- OBC : 55% i.e. 82 Marks
- SC / ST: 55% i.e 82 Marks
- PwD: 55% i.e. 82 Marks
Certificate Validity: Once you qualify for the exam, you do not need to reappear unless you wish to improve your score. The CTET qualifying certificate remains valid for a lifetime and is accepted for recruitment in central, state, and private schools nationwide.
How to Apply Online at ctet.nic.in
The registration process is conducted entirely online. Follow these steps to complete your application:
1. Visit the official CBSE CTET website: [https://ctet.nic.in](https://ctet.nic.in).
2. Click on the active link to apply for the current CTET session.
3. Register by providing your basic details to generate an application number.
4. Fill out the detailed application form and select your preferred exam centers and language mediums.
5. Upload scanned copies of your recent photograph and signature.
6. Pay the required application fee:
o General/OBC: ₹1,000 for a single paper, ₹1,200 for both papers.
o SC/ST/PwD: ₹500 for a single paper, ₹600 for both papers.
7. Submit the form and print the confirmation page for future reference.
Most Searched FAQs on CTET Exam 2026
Q1: Is there any negative marking in the CTET 2026 exam?
No, the CTET examination is completely objective (MCQ-based) and does not carry any negative marking for incorrect answers.
Q2: What is the age limit to apply for the CTET exam?
Candidates must be at least 17 years old to apply. There is no upper age limit restriction for appearing in the Central Teacher Eligibility Test.
Q3: Can I appear for both Paper 1 and Paper 2?
Yes, if you meet the educational eligibility criteria for both primary (Classes 1-5) and upper primary (Classes 6-8) levels, you can fill out a single application and pay the combined fee to appear for both papers.
Q4: How many times is the CTET exam conducted in a year?
The CBSE typically conducts the CTET exam twice a year, providing multiple opportunities for teaching aspirants to qualify.
Q5: What are the CTET passing marks for OBC category candidates?
According to NCTE guidelines, candidates belonging to the OBC category receive a 5% relaxation. They must score at least 55%, which equals 82 out of 150 marks, to pass the exam.
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