How about a career as a teacher for classes I to VIII? Then, CTET is the exam for you. CTET or Central Teacher Eligibility Test is a 5 hour (Paper I is 2.5 hrs and Paper II is 2.5 hrs) national-level exam conducted by CBSE. It happens twice a year in both Hindi and English.
The difficulty level of CTET is usually easy to moderate, therefore, it is not very tough to crack. However, every year lakhs of candidates appear for CTET so it is competitive.
Topics covered
CTET Eligibility
Only those candidates who satisfy the criteria set out in gazette notifications of the National Council for Teacher Education are eligible for CTET exam
You can apply for CTET online by logging on the official website (link in last section) only.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be a teacher of Classes 1 – 5
- Class 12th / Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (or equivalent) OR
- Class 12th / Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.EI. Ed.) OR
- Class 12th / Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and 2-year Diploma in Special Education OR
- BA/B.Sc. with at least 50% marks & B. Ed qualification + NCTE recognized 6-month special programme in Elementary Education (after appointment) OR
- D. Ed (Special Education) or B. Ed (Special Education) + NCTE recognized 6-month special programme in Elementary Education (after appointment)
AND
Pass in CTET Paper I conducted by CBSE in accordance with the Guidelines framed by the NCTE for the purpose.
To be a teacher of Classes 6 – 8
- B.A/B.Sc and 2 – year Diploma in Elementary Education (D. El Ed. or equivalent) OR
- BA./B.Sc with at least 50% marks and 1-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed) OR
- Class 12th / Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and 4-year Bachelor in Elementary Education (B.El.Ed) OR
- Class 12th / Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and 4-year BA. Ed./ BSc. Ed OR
- BA/B.Sc. with at least 50% marks and 1-year B. Ed (Special Education)
AND
Pass in CTET Paper I & II conducted by CBSE in accordance with the Guidelines framed by the NCTE for the purpose.
Notes:
1. Your Diploma/Degree course in Teacher Education has to be NCTE recognized if you want to be considered as eligible for appointment after passing CTET
2. Your D. Ed (Special Education) or B. Ed (Special Education) has to be recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) if you want to be considered as eligible for appointment after passing CTET

CTET Exam Pattern & Syllabus (PAPER I)
2.5 hours for Paper I.
Paper I (for Classes 1 – 5) Primary Stage: (Exam Duration – 2.5 hours)
If you intend to teach Classes 1–5, you must take Paper I.
The Nature and Scope of the Questions (Paper I)
You may choose one language as Language I and another as Language II from of the available language options on the Confirmation Page.
Language II will be a different language than Language I.
- Child Development and Pedagogy exam questions will focus on the educational psychology of teaching and learning related to children aged 6-11 years.
- They will concentrate on comprehending the features and requirements of various learners, interacting with them, and the characteristics and characteristics of an effective facilitator of learning.
- The language I : proficiencies connected to the medium of teaching.
- Language II : language, communication, and understanding ability.
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English, Hindi, and Sanskrit would be the only available languages. You may select just two languages from the following: English, Hindi, or Sanskrit.
CTET Paper I Syllabus
- Child Development and Pedagogy – 30 Questions
- Child Development (Primary School Child) – 15 Questions
- Concept of Inclusive education and understanding children with special needs – 5 Questions
- Learning and Pedagogy – 5 Questions
- Language I – 30 Questions
- Language Comprehension – 15 Questions
- Pedagogy of Language Development – 15 Questions
- Language – II – 30 Questions
- Comprehension – 15 Questions
- Pedagogy of Language Development -15 Questions
- Mathematics – 30 Questions
- Content – 15 Questions
- Geometry
- Shapes & Spatial Understanding
- Solids around Us
- Numbers
- Addition and Subtraction
- Multiplication
- Division
- Measurement
- Weight
- Time
- Volume
- Data Handling
- Patterns
- Money
- Pedagogical issues
- Environmental Studies – 30 Questions
Content – 15 Questions
- Family and Friends: Relationships, Work and Play, Animals, Plants
- Food
- Shelter
- Water
- Travel
- Things We Make and Do
- Pedagogical Issues
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CTET Exam Pattern & Syllabus (PAPER II)
2.5 hours for Paper I.
Paper-II is for you if you wish to teach in Classes 6 – 8.
Nature and Standard of Questions (Paper-II)
- Child Development and Pedagogy exam items will focus on the educational psychology of teaching and learning, mainly related to the age group of 11-14 years.
- They will concentrate on comprehending the features, requirements, and psychology of various learners, interacting with them, and the characteristics and characteristics of an effective facilitator of learning.
- The language I : proficiencies associated with the medium of teaching.
- Language II : language, communication, and understanding ability.
Like earlier, Languages I & II will be different (to be chosen among English, Hindi, and Sanskrit).
CTET Paper II Syllabus
- Child Development and Pedagogy 30 Questions
- Child Development (Elementary School Child) – 15 Questions
- Concept of Inclusive education and understanding children with special needs – 5 Questions
- Learning and Pedagogy 10 Questions
- Language I – 30 Questions
- Language Comprehension – 15 Questions
- Pedagogy of Language Development – 15 Questions
- Language II – 30 Questions
- Comprehension – 15 Questions
- Pedagogy of Language Development – 15 Questions
- Mathematics and Science – 60 Questions
(i) Mathematics – 30 Questions
- Content 20 Questions
- Pedagogical issues – 10 Questions
(ii) Science – 30 Questions
- Content – 20 Questions
- Pedagogical issues – 10 Questions
- Social Studies/Social Sciences – 60 Questions
- Content 40 Questions History
- Geography
- Social and Political Life
- Pedagogical issues – 20 Questions
- Content 40 Questions History
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Final Words
You had doubts regarding the syllabus, pattern and other tricky details about CTET. We’ve delivered answers to your doubts. If you still find questions tickling your mind, do reach out to us. iDreamCareer is happily helping millions of doubtful minds and will be glad to help you too. Career planning is a challenging ordeal (task) and even smart students like you may need expert opinion & help!
Pages you’d need:
- CTET official page, CBSE
- CTET 2021 Information Bulletin
- List of “Teaching & Education” Career Profiles
- CTET – full syllabus in Hindi (PDF)
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With a Master’s in Biophysics-Biostatistics, Sreenanda acquired professional experience in computational proteomics of human molecules. She is currently working with the Research and Data Team at iDreamCareer.