The Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET) is a premier state-level examination designed to evaluate the competency of candidates seeking teaching positions for Classes I to VIII in government, private aided, and private unaided schools across Odisha. The examination is divided into two parts: Paper I for primary teachers (Classes I–V) and Paper II for upper primary teachers (Classes VI–VIII).
According to the official notice issued on 23rd June 2026, the OTET exam previously scheduled for 28th June 2026 has been postponed. The new examination date for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 is 5th July 2026. The assessment will be held in an offline format for all registered candidates. Stay updated with all the latest developments regarding the Odisha TET in this article.
OTET 2026- Exam Summary
Teaching aspirants who meet the prescribed OTET eligibility requirements have an excellent opportunity to build a fulfilling career in education. Successful candidates are awarded an OTET certificate, which now holds lifetime validity from the date of issue. Further comprehensive details are outlined in the overview table below.
| OTET 2026- Exam Summary | |
| Exam Conducting Authority | Board of Secondary Education, Odisha, Cuttack |
| Exam Name | Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET 2026) |
| Exam Level | State-Level |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Exam Date | 5th July 2026 |
| Mode of Exam | Offline |
| Certificate Validity | Lifetime |
| Official website | www.bseodisha.ac.in |
OTET Exam Date 2026 Reschedule
Following the latest official update, the OTET 2026 exam has been rescheduled, and the Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET) 2026 will now take place on 5th July 2026. Paper I is scheduled from 9:00 am to 11:30 am, while Paper II will be held from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Additional exam instructions will be provided alongside the official admit card release.
OTET Exam Schedule and Time Table
| Paper Name | Timing |
| Paper 1 | 9 am to 11:30 am |
| Paper 2 | 2 pm to 4:30 pm |
OTET 2026 Important Dates
The comprehensive timeline for the OTET 2026 exam—covering registration windows, fee submission deadlines, admit card availability, and final exam dates—was detailed in the official OTET Notification 2026. You can review the complete schedule in the table below.
| Events | Dates |
| Notification Release Date | 25th March 2026 |
| OTET Apply Online Starts | 26th March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 9th May 2026 (11:45 pm) |
| Last Date to Pay Application Fee | 9th May 2026 (11:45 pm) |
| OTET Admit Card 2026 | 17th June 2026 |
| OTET Exam Date 2026 | 5th July 2026 |
OTET 2026 Notification
The official OTET Notification 2026 was released by the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha, Cuttack, on 25th March 2026 via their official portal at www.bseodisha.ac.in. The full examination schedule has been announced, and the direct download link for the notification is provided below for your reference.
Download the Official OTET Notification 2026 PDF
OTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
While the Odisha TET is primarily an eligibility qualification, candidates must ensure they meet specific criteria before submitting their OTET 2026 application. Although there is no age limit for applicants, specific educational qualifications are mandatory. We have detailed the OTET Eligibility 2026 requirements for primary and upper primary teachers below.
Eligibility Criteria for Paper-I (Primary Teacher for Classes I to V)
- Higher Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
- Higher Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 45% marks and a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed), following NCTE regulations.
- Higher Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).
- Higher Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education).
- Graduation and a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
Eligibility Criteria for Paper-II (Upper Primary Teacher for Classes VI to VIII)
- Graduation and a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
- Graduation with at least 50% marks and a 1-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed).
- Graduation with at least 45% marks and a 1-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed), in accordance with NCTE regulations.
- Higher Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and a 4-year Bachelor in Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).
- Higher Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and a 4-year B.A./B.Sc.Ed. or B.A.Ed./B.Sc.Ed.
- Graduation with at least 50% marks and a 1-year B.Ed. (Special Education).
OTET 2026 Application Form
The online application portal for OTET 2026 opened on 26th March 2026 at www.bseodisha.ac.in. Eligible candidates were required to register before the final deadline of 9th May 2026 (11:45 pm). Please ensure all required documentation is prepared when finalizing your OTET 2026 application.
Check Detailed OTET 2026 Application Process
OTET 2026 Application Fee
Applications for the OTET are considered complete only upon successful submission of the application fee. SC/ST candidates are required to pay Rs. 400/-, while candidates from the General category must pay Rs. 600/-. Payments are processed securely via the online HDFC payment gateway.
| Category | Application Fee |
| For SC & ST Category | Rs. 400/- (Rupees Four Hundred) Only |
| For Other Category | Rs. 600/- (Rupees Six Hundred) Only |
Steps to Apply Online for the OTET Exam 2026
Before beginning the registration process, candidates should thoroughly review the instructions, eligibility guidelines, and application procedures for the OTET-2026. Depending on their qualifications, candidates may apply for Paper I, Paper II, or both. We have provided a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to apply online for the exam below.
- Visit the official website of the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha, Cuttack at www.bseodisha.ac.in.
- On the homepage tab on Examination >OTET Examination> Online Application for Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test OTET- 2026> Go to Link.
- Candidates are redirected to a new page. If you have already registered, click the “Login” button; otherwise, click on “New Registration” to register.
- On clicking “New Registration”, the OTET-2026 page will be displayed. Enter your name, password (to be created by you), and Mobile No. & e-mail ID, and then click on the Submit tab. (You will have to enter OTP, which shall be sent to your registered mobile no and email ID).
- Submit your application forms by providing personal information, eligibility criteria, educational qualifications, and address.
- Click on the Payment & Declaration tab to submit the application fee as per category, and then click on the Final Submit tab.
OTET 2026 Exam Pattern & Syllabus
The standardized examination pattern for OTET Paper 1 and Paper 2 is outlined below for candidate reference.
- There are 150 questions for Papers 1 and 2 each.
- The duration of the examination is 150 minutes.
- Each correct answer gives 1 mark.
- There will be no negative marking.
Paper 1: Primary Level (Classes I to V)
| Subject | Question | Mark | Duration |
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 | 150 Minutes |
| Language-I (Odia/Urdu/Hindi/Telugu/Bengali) | 30 | 30 | |
| Language-II (English) | 30 | 30 | |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 | |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Paper 2: Upper Primary Level (Classes VI to VIII)
| Subjects | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 | 150 Minutes |
| Language-I (Odia/Urdu/Hindi/Telugu/Bengali) | 30 | 30 | |
| Language-II (English) | 30 | 30 | |
| Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies | 60 | 60 | |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
View OTET 2026 Syllabus & Exam Pattern
Download OTET Previous Year Question Papers (PDF)
OTET 2026 Minimum Qualifying Marks
Candidates will be declared successful in the Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET 2026) based on their performance in the written examination. To qualify, candidates must achieve the minimum qualifying marks specified by the examination board as detailed in the table below.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
| General | 60% |
| SC, ST, SEBC/ OBC | 50% |
| Physically Handicapped | 50% |
Check OTET Cut-Off (Minimum Qualifying Marks)
OTET Certificate 2026
Candidates meeting the minimum qualifying threshold will receive a certificate from the Board of Secondary Education, confirming their eligibility for teaching roles in Odisha schools. Please note that this exam serves exclusively to determine eligibility; it does not constitute direct appointment to teaching positions.
FAQs
Yes, the OTET 2026 exam has been officially postponed and is now scheduled to take place on 5th July 2026.
Yes, the official OTET 2026 Notification has been released and is available for download at www.bseodisha.ac.in.
No, there is no negative marking system applied in the OTET 2026 examination.
There is no restriction on the number of attempts; candidates are free to retake the exam as needed to achieve a passing score.
Also Read:
- OTET Admit Card 2026 Released at bseodisha.ac.in: Download Link & Exam Date
- OTET Apply Online 2026: Last Chance to Submit Applications Today at bseodisha.ac.in
- OTET Previous Year Question Papers with Solutions: Download PDF (Paper 1 & 2)
- Odisha OTET Result 2026 Released @bseodisha.ac.in | 68.97% Pass Rate
- OTET Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern: Comprehensive Guide for Paper 1 & 2
- OTET Cut Off 2026: Qualifying & Passing Marks Criteria Explained