guide 5 min read Verified: August 2026

CTET 2026 Complete Guide: Paper 1 & 2 Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Passing Marks & Validity

By Ananya Mukherjee (Child Pedagogy Educator)Published: 2026-05-10

Quick Answer

CBSE conducts CTET twice a year for candidates aspiring to teach Classes 1 to 5 (Paper 1) and Classes 6 to 8 (Paper 2) in Central Schools like KVS, NVS, DSSSB, and EMRS. The qualifying certificate is valid for a lifetime.

Key Takeaways

Conducted in offline OMR mode across 136 examination cities in India
Zero negative marking: 150 questions to be attempted in 150 minutes
Passing benchmark: 60% (90/150 marks) for General and 55% (82/150 marks) for SC/ST/OBC
Digital certificates and marksheets issued directly through DigiLocker with lifetime validity
Photo upload: 10 to 100 KB; Signature upload: 3 to 30 KB in JPG format

What is the CTET Examination?

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is the national benchmark examination conducted by CBSE. If you wish to apply for government teaching jobs in Kendriya Vidyalaya (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya (NVS), Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB), Army Public Schools, or Central Tibetan Schools, clearing CTET is a mandatory eligibility requirement.

Paper 1 vs Paper 2 Breakdown

Paper 1: For Primary Teachers (Classes 1 to 5)

150 Questions, 150 Marks, 2.5 Hours Duration:

Child Development & Pedagogy (CDP): 30 Questions (30 Marks)
Language 1 (Compulsory): 30 Questions (30 Marks)
Language 2 (Compulsory): 30 Questions (30 Marks)
Mathematics: 30 Questions (30 Marks)
Environmental Studies (EVS): 30 Questions (30 Marks)

Paper 2: For Elementary Teachers (Classes 6 to 8)

150 Questions, 150 Marks, 2.5 Hours Duration:

Child Development & Pedagogy (CDP): 30 Questions (30 Marks)
Language 1 (Compulsory): 30 Questions (30 Marks)
Language 2 (Compulsory): 30 Questions (30 Marks)
Subject Choice: Mathematics & Science (60 Questions) for science teachers OR Social Studies / Social Science (60 Questions) for humanities teachers

Passing Marks and Lifetime Validity

You need 90 marks out of 150 (60%) if you belong to the General category, and 82 marks out of 150 (55%) if you belong to SC, ST, or OBC categories. Once cleared, your CTET certificate remains valid for your entire lifetime with no restriction on the number of attempts if you wish to improve your score.

1-Minute Actionable Checklist

1Decide whether to apply for Paper 1 (Primary), Paper 2 (Upper Primary), or Both Papers

2Choose Language 1 and Language 2 carefully based on your reading proficiency

3Resize your photograph to 10–100 KB and signature to 3–30 KB in JPG

4Keep your D.El.Ed or B.Ed enrollment roll number and college pincode ready

5Verify your choice of 4 preferred exam test cities in order of proximity

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Official Source: https://ctet.nic.in

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