CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Qualification, Age Limit & Requirements

The official eligibility criteria for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) are detailed in the exam notification. Meeting these educational standards is mandatory; failure to satisfy these requirements will result in the immediate rejection of your application. Read on for a comprehensive breakdown of the eligibility standards for CTET Paper 1 and Paper 2.

CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a national-level assessment required for teaching positions in Central Government schools, including KVS and NVS. The 22nd edition of the CTET exam for Paper-I and Paper-II is officially scheduled for 6th September 2026. To apply, candidates must ensure they meet the following CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026:

1. CTET Nationality
2. CTET Age Limit
3. CTET Qualification

CTET 2026 September Notification Released – Click to Check

• The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has released revised CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 for candidates who are pursuing Teacher Training Courses (TTC)
• As per NCTE, Candidates who have been admitted and are undergoing any Teacher Training Course(TTC) can be referred to as “Pursuing” and they can be eligible to apply for the CTET Examination.
• The candidates whose appointments are challenged were eligible to appear in the CTET exam when they were pursuing a Teacher Training Course(TTC).
• National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) Regulations for eligibility criteria will be followed as previously mentioned.
• Post-graduation candidate with a minimum 55% marks or equivalent grade and a three-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed.
• Minimum qualifications laid down in the Recruitment Rules for the teachers by the Appropriate Government where the school is situated or the Recruitment Rules for the teachers of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangthan or Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti.
• Central Teacher Eligibility Test(CTET) does not imply that the candidate’s eligibility has been verified for Recruitment.
• Central Teacher Eligibility Test(CTET) does not vest any right with the candidate for appointment.
  The final eligibility for any teaching recruitment by the concerned authority shall be finally verified.

Candidates who satisfy the specified eligibility parameters are encouraged to apply online via the official portal at https://ctet.nic.in/. Ensure all academic documentation is ready before submitting your application for the CTET 2026 exam.

CTET Educational Qualification

According to NCTE guidelines, candidates currently enrolled in a Teacher Training Course (TTC) are classified as "Pursuing" and are eligible to apply for the CTET 2026 exam. Obtaining a CTET certificate is a fundamental requirement for securing teaching positions in government and government-aided institutions. The specific qualification criteria for CTET 2026 are outlined below.

CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Paper 1

Candidates aspiring to teach classes 1st to 5th in primary schools must strictly adhere to the CTET qualification standards for Paper 1.

• Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (by whatever name known). OR
• Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (by whatever name known), by the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure), Regulations, 2002. OR

• Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passing or appearing in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed). OR

• Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education). OR

• Graduation with at least 50% marks and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed).

CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Paper 2

Candidates aiming to teach classes 6th to 8th in government-run schools must verify their eligibility against the specific CTET qualification requirements for Paper 2.

• Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor in Elementary Education (B.El.Ed). OR
• Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of 4-year B.A/B. Sc. Ed or B.A.Ed/ B. Sc. Ed. OR
• Graduation with at least 50% marks and passing or appearing in 1-year B.Ed. (Special Education).
• Candidates having a qualified B.Ed Programme recognized by the NCTE is eligible to appear in TET/CTET. OR
• Post-graduation candidate with a minimum 55% marks or equivalent grade and three-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed.

Nationality for CTET 2026 Exam

Adherence to the CTET eligibility parameters is critical for candidates. Any discrepancies in meeting the nationality or qualification criteria can lead to the termination of your candidature at any stage of the recruitment process. Detailed nationality requirements for CTET 2026 are provided below.

• A Nepalese subject.
• A Bhutanese subject.
• A Tibetian who arrived In India before the 1st of January 1962 to settle permanently in India.
• Candidates who have migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Vietnam, and Burma permanently reside in India.

CTET Age Limit 2026

There is no upper age limit for appearing in the CTET Exam 2026. Furthermore, candidates may attempt the exam as many times as necessary to improve their scores or achieve the desired qualification.

CTET Eligibility Criteria for Reserved Category

While there is no age-based reservation, candidates belonging to reserved categories such as SC, ST, OBC, PwD, and others receive a 5% relaxation in the minimum qualifying marks required to pass the CTET 2026 exam.

CTET 2026 Minimum Qualifying Marks

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has set the general qualifying threshold at 60%. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. Please note that qualifying marks may vary slightly based on the candidate's category.