CTET 2026 — Complete Guide: Syllabus, Eligibility, Salary & Cut-off
Last Updated: 23 August 2026 · By SarkariPaper Editorial
CTET 2026 Overview
CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) is a national-level eligibility exam conducted by CBSE for candidates aspiring to teach in Central Government schools (KVS, NVS, CTSA) and schools under Central Government.
CTET 2026 will be conducted for Paper 1 (Classes 1–5) and Paper 2 (Classes 6–8). CTET is not a recruitment exam — it issues an eligibility certificate valid for lifetime (since 2023 amendment). Candidates must separately apply for KVS, NVS, or state teacher recruitments.
Over 20 lakh candidates appear for CTET annually. A CTET certificate is mandatory for teaching posts in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti.
CTET 2026 Important Dates
| Notification Release | 1 September 2026 |
| Application Opens | 1 September 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 25 September 2026 |
| Tier 1 Exam Date | 15 December 2026 |
| Official Website | https://ctet.nic.in |
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026
Educational Qualification
Paper 1: 12th + 2-year D.El.Ed OR Graduation + B.Ed. Paper 2: Graduation + B.Ed OR 12th + 4-year B.El.Ed
Age Limit
18–35 years (as on 1st January 2026)
No upper age limit officially, but individual recruitment notifications may set age limits
Nationality
Indian Citizen
CTET Selection Process
Paper 1 or Paper 2 — Computer Based Test: 150 marks, 2.5 hours
Certificate issued to candidates scoring 60% or above (55% for SC/ST/PwD)
CTET Exam Pattern 2026
Paper 1 (Classes 1–5)
| Subject | 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 (Classes 6–8)
| Subject | 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 |
CTET Syllabus 2026
Full Syllabus →Child Development & Pedagogy
Language I & II
Mathematics
Environmental Studies / Social Studies
Download the complete CTET topic-wise syllabus PDF →Premium (₹199/yr)
CTET Posts — Which is Best?
CTET offers 2+ posts across different departments. Here's a comparison to help you decide your target post before filling the form.
| Post | Salary | Promotion |
|---|---|---|
Primary Teacher (PRT) TGT Equivalent TOP PICK | ₹35,000 – ₹50,000 | medium |
Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) TGT | ₹45,000 – ₹60,000 | medium |
CTET Salary Structure
Salary varies based on post, city tier (X/Y/Z) for HRA, and DA rate. Figures above are indicative for 2026 DA rates.
CTET Cut-off Marks
All Cut-offs →CTET 2025 Tier 1 Cut-off
CTET 2024 Tier 1 Cut-off
Cut-offs vary by post. Detailed post-wise cut-offs (2015–2026) available withSarkariPaper Premium →
CTET Preparation Strategy
Phase 1: Pedagogy Focus (Month 1–2)
- ›Study Child Development & Pedagogy thoroughly — 30 marks
- ›Read NCERT textbooks for your subject
- ›Practice previous year CTET papers
- ›Focus on EVS for Paper 1
Phase 2: Mock Tests (Month 3)
- ›Attempt full Paper 1/2 mocks under 2.5 hours
- ›Target 100+ marks for safe qualification
- ›Revise language pedagogy concepts
- ›No negative marking — attempt all questions