✅ CTET Eligibility 2026 — Complete Guide

📌 Quick Summary (for students in a hurry)

• Paper 1 = Classes 1–5; Paper 2 = Classes 6–8; you can take both.
• Paper 1 needs Class 12 (50%) + teacher training (D.El.Ed./B.El.Ed.).
• Paper 2 needs graduation + B.Ed./D.El.Ed.
• Minimum age 17, NO upper age limit, UNLIMITED attempts.
• Qualifying: General 90/150 (60%), reserved 82/150 (55%).
• Degree must be NCTE-recognised; candidate must be an Indian citizen.

👇 Want the full details? Keep reading the complete guide below.

Who Can Apply for CTET 2026?

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is conducted by CBSE to decide whether a candidate is eligible to be appointed as a teacher for Classes 1 to 8. Before you fill the application form, it is essential to understand the eligibility rules, because applying without meeting them wastes your fee and effort. CTET has two papers, and each has its own eligibility requirement depending on the level you want to teach.

Paper 1 is for those who wish to teach at the primary level (Classes 1 to 5). Paper 2 is for the upper primary level (Classes 6 to 8). If you want to teach across both levels, you are allowed to appear for both papers in the same session. There is no restriction stopping you from attempting both.

Educational Qualification — Paper 1 (Classes 1–5)

To be eligible for Paper 1, you generally need to have passed Senior Secondary (Class 12) with at least 50% marks, along with a teacher-training qualification. The accepted combinations include:

• Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.)
• Senior Secondary with at least 45% marks and a 2-year D.El.Ed. in accordance with NCTE norms
• Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.)
• Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education)
• Graduation with a 2-year D.El.Ed. (as per certain norms)

Candidates who are in the final year of these training courses are also usually allowed to appear, subject to NCTE conditions.

Educational Qualification — Paper 2 (Classes 6–8)

Paper 2 requires graduation along with a teacher-training qualification. Common accepted combinations are:

• Graduation and a 2-year D.El.Ed.
• Graduation with at least 50% marks and a 1-year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
• Graduation with at least 45% marks and a B.Ed. in accordance with NCTE norms
• Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and a 4-year B.El.Ed. or B.A./B.Sc.Ed.
• Post-graduation with at least 55% marks and a 3-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed.

The exact percentage relaxations apply for reserved categories as per government rules, usually a 5% relaxation.

Age Limit and Number of Attempts

One of the most encouraging things about CTET is its flexibility. The minimum age to apply is 17 years, and there is no upper age limit. This means a candidate can attempt CTET at any stage of their life. There is also no limit on the number of attempts — you can appear as many times as you want, either to qualify for the first time or to improve a previous score. Even candidates who have already passed are allowed to reappear to get a higher score, which can help in competitive recruitment.

Qualifying Marks by Category

There is no negative marking in CTET, so you should attempt every single question. A blank answer and a wrong answer carry the same zero — but a guessed answer at least has a chance of being correct.

Nationality and Recognition of Degrees

The candidate must be an Indian citizen. Equally important, the degree or diploma you hold must be recognised by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). If you hold a Diploma or Degree in Special Education, the programme must be accredited by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). Always verify that your training institute is NCTE-recognised before applying, because an unrecognised qualification can make your candidature invalid even if you pass the exam.

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