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CTET Full Form: What is CTET Exam, Eligibility, Syllabus, Age Limit & Registration Details
20-01-2026
What is thefull form of CTET? How do you become eligible to teach in government schools in India? If questions like these are on your mind, understanding CTET is your first step towards a teaching career.
CTET full form is Central Teacher Eligibility Test. It is conducted by CBSE at the national level. The exam is held twice a year and follows eligibility norms set by the National Council for Teacher Education.
While you may have heard that cracking the CTET is challenging, you can clear it with a focused plan and regular study.
Knowing theCTET full form is only the beginning when you want to understand what CTET is. You should dig deeper and know about the eligibility, syllabus, and exam pattern of CTET. This blog provides in-depth information about CTET, covering all mprtant aspects.
What is the CTET Exam?
Thefull form of CTET is Central Teacher Eligibility Test. CTET is a national-level qualifying exam conducted by CBSE, which assesses whether you meet the basic standards required to teach students from Classes I to VIII in Central Government schools.
CTET is an essential requirement for teaching roles in central government and CBSE-affiliated schools. Over the years, its value has grown beyond government schools, with several private institutions also preferring CTET-qualified teachers, which improves your overall employability.
The exam is conducted at two levels. Paper I is meant for those aiming to teach Classes I to V (Primary Level), while Paper II is for candidates who want to teach Classes VI to VIII (Upper Primary Level). Based on your teaching goal, you can appear for one paper or both.
CTET Exam Eligibility
CTET eligibility depends on the paper you choose, as the required academic qualifications vary for teaching at the primary and upper primary levels. The table below provides the detailed eligibility criteria for CTET. Going through these requirements helps you clearly understand whether you meet theCTET exam qualification before filling out the application.
| CTET Papers | Teaching Level | Educational Qualification (As Per NCTE norms) |
| Paper I | (Primary Level) Classes I to V |
You must meet any of the given eligibility criteria. (For Paper 1)
|
| Paper II | (Upper Primary Level) Classes VI to VIII |
You must meet any of the given eligibility criteria. (For Paper 2)
|
CTET Exam Age Limit
The CTET exam offers you flexibility regarding age requirements, which means you can apply as a graduate as well as a working professional. There is no official minimum or maximum age limit specified by CBSE for CTET. Eligibility is based on academic qualifications, not age.
CTET Registration Details
The CTET registration process is fully online and needs careful attention at each step.
Documents and Details
Keeping details and documents ready in advance helps you complete the application smoothly and avoid any last-minute errors.
| Required Information and Documents | Details |
| Personal information | Full name, date of birth, gender, nationality, contact details |
| Educational details | Qualification, marks obtained, year of passing, institution name |
| Photograph | Passport-size colour photo (JPG/JPEG, 10–100 KB, 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm) |
| Signature | Clear signature (JPG/JPEG, 3–30 KB, 3.5 cm × 1.5 cm) |
| ID proof | Aadhaar card, PAN card, or passport |
| Payment details | Credit/debit card, net banking, or e-challan option |
CTET Application Process
You need to follow these steps for your CTET registration.
- Visit the official website:ctet.nic.in
- Click on ‘New Candidate Registration’
- Read the instructions and fill in personal details
- Create a password and submit to generate your application number
- Log in using your application number and password
- Enter educational details and select paper(s) and exam centre
- Upload a photograph and signature as per specifications
- Pay the application fee using the preferred mode
- Download and save the confirmation page for future reference
CTET Exam Pattern
Both papers (Paper I and Paper II) have 150 multiple-choice questions each. Each paper lasts for two and a half hours. You should note that there is no negative marking in the CTET exam pattern.
The tables below provide you with a quick overview of the exam pattern for both papers in the CTET exam.
CTET Exam Pattern Paper I (Classes I-V)
| Subjects | Total Number of Questions | Total Number of Marks | Duration |
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 | 2.5 hours |
| Language I (compulsory) | 30 | 30 | |
| Language II (compulsory) | 30 | 30 | |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 | |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
CTET Exam Pattern Paper II (Classes VI-VIII)
| Subjects | Total Number of Questions | Total Number of Marks | Duration |
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 | 2.5 hours |
| Language I (compulsory) | 30 | 30 | |
| Language II (compulsory) | 30 | 30 | |
| A. Mathematics & Science | 30 + 30 | 60 | |
| B. Social Studies & Social Science | 60 | 60 | |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Now that you have understood the CTET exam pattern, you should explore the next section that discusses the syllabus of the CTET exam.
CTET Exam Syllabus
The CTET exam syllabus is designed to test how well you understand teaching concepts, learning psychology, and subject knowledge. It focuses more on how to teach rather than just what to teach. The syllabus is clearly structured and officially released in the CTET information bulletin by CBSE. You should make sure to download it and read it carefully before you start preparing for the CTET exam. You can go through the CTET syllabus in the table below. It contains important topics for various subjects in both papers.
| CTET Paper I Subjects | Important Topics |
| Child Development and Pedagogy | Child Development, Learning and Pedagogy |
| Language-I | Comprehension, Pedagogy of Language Development |
| Language-II | Comprehension, Pedagogy of Language Development |
| Mathematics | Geometry, Shapes & Spatial Understanding, Solids around Us, Numbers, Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication, Division |
| Environmental Studies | Family and Friends, Food, Shelter, Water, Travel |
| CTET Paper II Subjects | Details |
| Child Development and Pedagogy | Child Development, Learning and Pedagogy |
| Language-I | Comprehension, Pedagogy of Language Development |
| Language-II | Comprehension, Pedagogy of Language Development |
| Mathematics | Number System, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration |
| Science | Food, Materials, Natural Phenomena, Natural Resources |
| Social Studies | History, Geography, Social and Political Life, Pedagogical Issues |
Conclusion
CTET serves as a strong foundation for you when you aspire to build a promising career in teaching. With the right understanding of the syllabus and consistent preparation, you can clear the exam with confidence. If you’re looking to strengthen your teaching journey further, structured teacher education programmes play an important role. Programmes offered byJAIN (Deemed-to-be University) provide practical exposure and guided learning. Check the programme details today on the official website.
FAQs
Q1. Is CTET valid for lifetime?
A1. Yes, the CTET certificate has gained permanent eligibility after a change implemented by the Ministry of Education in 2021. Earlier, it was valid only for seven years.
Q2. Is CTET compulsory for PGT?
A2. CTET is not mandatory for PGT (Postgraduate Teacher) posts. However, some government and private institutions may require it.
Q3. Is CTET has negative marking?
A3. No, the CTET exam does not have any negative marking.
Q4. How to clear CTET exam?
A4. The first important step is to understand the syllabus. You should then proceed with a thoughtful study plan that includes regular study, revision, and practice of previous papers.
Q5. What is the age limit of CTET?
A5. The CTET exam has no upper age. The minimum age to apply for CTET, however, is 17 years.
Q6. Is CTET difficult?
A6. CTET is considered challenging. However, you can clear the CTET exam with a focused study plan and consistent study.
Q7. Who are eligible for CTET?
A7. Candidates with DElEd or BEd and minimum required marks in graduation or senior secondary education are eligible based on paper I or II.
Q8. How many attempts for CTET?
A8. There is no limit on the number of attempts for CTET.
Q9. Is 82 marks qualified for CTET?
A9. No, 82 marks do not qualify. The minimum qualifying mark is 90 out of 150 (for the General category).
Q10. What is the pass mark of CTET?
A10. The passing mark for CTET is 60% or 90 out of 150 for the General category. SC/ST/OBC candidates may qualify with a minimum of 55% or 82 marks.
Q11. Is CTET a government job?
A11. No, CTET is not a government job. It is an eligibility test that allows you to apply for teaching jobs in government and private schools.
Q12. What is CTET exam salary?
A12. CTET is an essential qualification for teaching. It doesn’t provide a salary. After qualifying, you can apply for teaching jobs where salaries range from approximately Rs. 9,300 to Rs. 34,800 (basic pay). You can earn a net in-hand salary of up to Rs. 48,000 per month .
Q13. What is qualification in CTET?
A13. CTET qualification is the required eligibility to apply for teaching jobs in Classes I-V or VI-VIII, depending on the paper cleared in the CTET exam.