CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test), eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
~$12 (INR 1,000)
Provider
CBSE
Validity
Lifetime
Available
India
Education
Check official exam requirements
Experience
6-12 months of relevant experience recommended
Specific Requirements
- CBSE does not print a qualification list in the Information Bulletin. It states that the minimum qualifications for appearing in CTET are as notified by NCTE, and directs candidates to ncte.gov.in to ascertain eligibility before applying.
- The governing rules are the NCTE regulations on determination of minimum qualifications for persons to be recruited as education teachers and physical education teachers in pre-primary, primary, upper primary, secondary, senior secondary or intermediate schools or colleges, as amended and notified from time to time.
- Minimum qualifications laid down in the recruitment rules of the appropriate government where the school is situated, or of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan or Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, also apply.
- NCTE allows relaxation of up to 5 per cent in the qualifying marks in the minimum educational qualification for SC, ST, OBC and differently abled candidates.
- Candidates who apply for Paper II must state the subject offered, either Mathematics and Science or Social Science. An application without this is rejected and the fee forfeited.
- Name, father's name, mother's name and date of birth entered in the application must match the Class X certificate.
- A working mobile number and a valid personal email address, since CBSE sends updates and DigiLocker credentials to them.
- There is no age limit and no attempt limit stated in the Information Bulletin.
- Being allowed to sit CTET does not mean eligibility has been verified. Final verification rests with the recruiting agency or appointing authority.
Number of Questions
150 multiple choice questions for 150 marks in each paper. Paper I: Child Development and Pedagogy 30, Mathematics 30, Environmental Studies 30, Language I 30, Language II 30. Paper II: Child Development and Pedagogy 30, Language I 30, Language II 30, and 60 questions in either Mathematics and Science or Social Studies and Social Science.
Duration
Two and a half hours per paper. Differently abled candidates may be given compensatory time of 50 minutes in each paper.
Question Format
Multiple choice questions with four alternatives, one of which is most appropriate, Unseen passage comprehension in Language I, including one prose or drama passage and one poem in Paper I, Unseen prose passage comprehension in Language II, discursive, literary, narrative or scientific, Pedagogy questions attached to every subject section, not gathered into one block, Content questions drawn from the NCERT syllabus for the relevant classes, with difficulty extending to the Secondary stage for Paper I and the Senior Secondary stage for Paper II
Passing Requirement
60 per cent, which is 90 of 150 marks, following NCTE Notification No. 76-4/2010/NCTE/Acad dated 11 February 2011. There is no negative marking, so the score is the raw count of correct answers. School managements may consider giving concessions to SC, ST, OBC and differently abled candidates in accordance with their own reservation policy, but the 60 per cent standard is what CBSE applies for awarding the certificate.
How It Is Delivered
Pen and paper examination with a sealed Test Booklet and an OMR answer sheet, held at CBSE-allotted centres. Candidates darken circles with their own blue or black ball point pen. Use of pencil is strictly prohibited and pencil-marked OMR sheets are rejected. Biometric authentication may be introduced at examination centres.
Languages Offered
The main question paper is bilingual in Hindi and English, Language I and Language II are each chosen from 20 options: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Garo, Gujarati, Kannada, Khasi, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Mizo, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Tibetan and Urdu, Language II must be a language other than Language I, and both are specified on the Confirmation Page
Visit the official CBSE certification page
Create an account and select your exam
Choose a test center or online proctoring option
Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
- Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo)
- Appointment confirmation email
- For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet
What are the prerequisites for the CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test)?
CBSE does not print a qualification list in the Information Bulletin. It states that the minimum qualifications for appearing in CTET are as notified by NCTE, and directs candidates to ncte.gov.in to ascertain eligibility before applying.. The governing rules are the NCTE regulations on determination of minimum qualifications for persons to be recruited as education teachers and physical education teachers in pre-primary, primary, upper primary, secondary, senior secondary or intermediate schools or colleges, as amended and notified from time to time.. Minimum qualifications laid down in the recruitment rules of the appropriate government where the school is situated, or of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan or Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, also apply.. NCTE allows relaxation of up to 5 per cent in the qualifying marks in the minimum educational qualification for SC, ST, OBC and differently abled candidates.. Candidates who apply for Paper II must state the subject offered, either Mathematics and Science or Social Science. An application without this is rejected and the fee forfeited.. Name, father's name, mother's name and date of birth entered in the application must match the Class X certificate.. A working mobile number and a valid personal email address, since CBSE sends updates and DigiLocker credentials to them.. There is no age limit and no attempt limit stated in the Information Bulletin.. Being allowed to sit CTET does not mean eligibility has been verified. Final verification rests with the recruiting agency or appointing authority..
How much does the CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) cost?
The CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) exam costs ~$12 (INR 1,000). This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test)?
Visit the official CBSE certification page → Create an account and select your exam → Choose a test center or online proctoring option → Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
What should I bring to the CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test)?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation email. For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet.
Ready to prepare for CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test)?
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