AP TET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Educational Qualifications & Age Limit Details

The AP TET is a state-level recruitment examination conducted to certify teachers for Classes 1 to 8 in Andhra Pradesh government schools. Prospective teachers who have completed or are in the final stages of their D.El.Ed. or B.Ed. programs are eligible to participate.

AP TET Eligibility 2026

To register for the AP TET 2026 exam, candidates must possess the necessary academic and professional qualifications, such as a B.Ed. or D.El.Ed., depending on the chosen Paper (I or II). While there is no upper age limit, candidates must be Indian nationals.

Age Limit

There is no maximum age limit restriction for applicants appearing for the Andhra Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test.

Educational Qualifications

Candidates must satisfy the specific academic requirements for their chosen paper and hold all valid certificates by the application deadline. The APTET structure includes Paper-1A/1B (Classes I to V) and Paper-2A/2B (Classes VI to VIII). Review the detailed eligibility requirements for these categories below.

• Candidates who are in the final semester of any teacher education course recognized by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) or the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) are eligible to appear for the APTET exam

Paper 1A (Regular Schools, Classes I–V) (As per NCTE Norms – for Secondary Grade Teachers)

Educational Qualifications: Post-2011

Candidates must have passed Intermediate or Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for reserved categories such as SC/ST/BC/PwBD) along with recognized teacher training qualifications.

1. 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed)
2. 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed)
3. 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education)

Educational Qualifications: Pre-2011

1. Intermediate / Senior Secondary with 45% marks (40% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) and 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education.

Paper 1B (Special Schools, Classes I–V) (As per RCI Norms)

Candidates must have completed Intermediate or Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) and hold one of the following RCI-recognized professional certifications:

• 2-year D.Ed. in Special Education
• 1-year Diploma in Special Education (DSE)
• Diploma / PG Diploma / Certificate in Community-Based or Vocational Rehabilitation
• Junior Diploma in Teaching the Deaf
• Primary/Secondary Level Teacher Training in Visual or Hearing Impairment
• Any other RCI-approved equivalent qualification

Paper 2A (Regular Schools, Classes VI–VIII) (As per NCTE Norms)

For Paper II: Post-2011

Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) supplemented by one of the following qualifications:

• B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education)
• 4-year B.El.Ed.
• 4-year Integrated B.A.Ed / B.Sc.Ed
• B.Ed. (Special Education)
• Post-Graduation (55% / 50% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) with 3-year Integrated B.Ed–M.Ed

For Paper II: Pre-2011

• Graduation with 45% marks (40% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) and 1-year B.Ed.
• Percentage rule not applicable to candidates admitted to B.Ed. before 29th July 2011

Language Teachers (Classes VI–VIII)

Additional Criteria (Post-2011):

• Graduation (50% marks; 45% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) with Language concerned as an optional subject, or Bachelor of Oriental Language / Literature / Post-Graduation in that language, and B.Ed. / Language Pandit Training in that language.

Additional Criteria (Pre-2011):

• Graduation / Post-Graduation (45% marks; 40% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) with B.Ed.

Paper 2B (Special Schools, Classes VI–VIII) (As per RCI Norms)

Candidates must possess at least 50% marks in their Graduation or Post-Graduation (45% for reserved categories) and hold a valid RCI-recognized professional qualification.

• B.Ed. (Special Education)
• B.Ed. (General) + 1-year or 2-year Diploma in Special Education
• B.Ed. (General) + Post-Graduate Diploma / Certificate in Special Education
• PG Diploma in Special Education in various disabilities (e.g. MR, Multiple, Loco Motor, etc.)
• Secondary / Senior Diploma in Teaching the Deaf or Visually Impaired.
• B.A.B.Ed. (Visual Impairment)

Verification of Course Completion Certificates:

• Candidates who are in their final semester of D.El.Ed / D.Ed (Special Education) / B.Ed / B.Ed (Special Education) or similar courses can also apply for the APTET exam. But, they cannot appear for the Teacher Recruitment Test (TRT) with the APTET certificate until they complete their required qualifications.

Important Note: Qualifying for the APTET does not grant automatic eligibility for the TRT; candidates must satisfy all necessary educational and professional requirements.

• Candidates have Teacher Education Diploma/Degree courses recognized by NCTE will be accepted. For Special Education, only courses recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) will be accepted.
• The Intermediate qualification must be from the Board of Intermediate Education, Andhra Pradesh (BIEAP) or an equivalent board recognized by BIEAP.
• Graduation or Post-Graduation must be from a University recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

View Official AP TET Notification 2026 Here

How many attempts are permitted for the AP TET?

There is no limit on the number of attempts for the Andhra Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test. Candidates may apply as many times as they wish.

Is prior teaching experience required?

No, prior teaching experience is not mandatory for the AP TET. Fresh graduates without experience are fully eligible to apply.