TET Exam 2026 List, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Application Process

TET Exam (Teacher Eligibility Test) is a mandatory examination in India for aspiring candidates looking for teaching positions in government and government-aided schools for classes I to VIII. Both central and state governments conduct their state TET exams, such as UPTET, HP TET, Kerala TET, and many more, to ensure the recruitment of qualified teachers. The TET exam follows the guidelines of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, whose main aim is to improve teaching standards in government schools across India.

The CBSE conducts the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) for recruitment at the national level, whereas individual states conduct State Teacher Eligibility Tests (State TETs) to hire teachers at the state level. A TET certificate is mostly valid for a lifetime, which makes it a crucial certificate for those looking for teaching roles in government schools.

What is the TET Exam?

The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) is a qualifying exam conducted at both the Central and State levels to ensure that candidates have the necessary qualifications for teaching positions in India. The main objective of TET is to ensure that candidates possess the required teaching aptitude, subject knowledge, and pedagogical skills.

TET Meaning

TET, meaning Teacher Qualifying Test exam, is a qualifying examination conducted in India to assess the eligibility of candidates for teaching positions in primary (Classes I–V) and upper primary (Classes IV–VIII) schools. Qualifying TET is mandatory for candidates who wish to apply for teaching jobs in government and many private schools across India.

TET Full Form

The full form of TET is Teacher Eligibility Test. It is an essential examination conducted in India to determine the eligibility of candidates for teaching positions in primary and upper primary schools. Exams like CTET are conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education, while different states conduct their own TET exams.

TET Exam Types

The TET exam is conducted at the national and state levels to check the aspiring candidate’s qualification for a teaching role. The CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) is conducted by CBSE to hire teachers in central government schools, while State TETs (like MAHA TET, UPTET, REET, etc.) are conducted by the respective state education boards to appoint teachers for state government schools.

The TET exam is divided into two levels: TET-I is for candidates who want to teach primary-level classes I to V, and TET-II is for candidates who want to teach upper-primary-level classes VI to VIII. Candidates need to secure minimum passing marks to qualify the exam set by the respective exam authorities.

CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test)

The CTET is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) at the national level. Candidates should regularly check the official website for all the latest updates.

State-Level TET Exam

Every state conducts its TET exam to recruit teachers for state government schools. Below, we have mentioned a brief overview of some state TETs conducted:

State-Level TET Exam List 

• Assam TET
  Assam TET is a state-level teacher eligibility test conducted by the Assam Government to evaluate candidates for teaching positions in primary and upper primary classes in Assam.
• Gujarat TET
  The Gujarat TET exam official notification will be released by the Board of Secondary Education, Gujarat.
• Kerala TET
  The KTET exam will be conducted in November (tentative), and the official notification will be released by the Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan official website.
• MAHA TET
  The MAHA TET is conducted by the Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE), and the exam date will be announced in May/June (Tentative).
• REET (Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers)
  The REET notification will be released in June (tentative) by the Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan (BSER).
• UPTET
  The UPTET official notification will be released in April (Tentative). Candidates should regularly check the official website for application dates and other details.

Why is TET Exam Important?

The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) is an essential examination for aspiring teachers in India. Its importance can be understood through the following key points:

• Minimum Eligibility for Teaching Jobs: TET is a mandatory qualification for candidates who wish to apply for teaching positions in government schools from Classes I to VIII.
• Ensures Teaching Quality: It sets a national benchmark for teaching standards, ensuring that only qualified and competent candidates enter the teaching profession.
• Improves Conceptual Understanding: The exam evaluates candidates’ knowledge of subjects, pedagogy, and child development, promoting better teaching practices.
• Enhances Job Opportunities: Qualifying TET increases chances of recruitment in central schools (like KVS, NVS) as well as various state government schools.
• Lifetime/Long Validity: Many TET certificates now have lifetime validity (as per updated guidelines), allowing candidates to apply for teaching jobs anytime after qualifying.
• Builds Professional Credibility: Clearing TET adds credibility to a candidate’s profile and demonstrates their commitment to a teaching career.
• Gateway to Further Exams: A TET qualification is often required for appearing in teacher recruitment exams conducted by different states.

TET Exam Qualification Marks

The TET qualifying marks are the minimum scores that candidates must secure to pass the exam. These marks are set by the conducting authorities, such as the Central Board of Secondary Education (for CTET), and vary slightly for different categories.

In general, candidates need to score 60% or more to qualify, while reserved category candidates (SC/ST/OBC/PwD) are given relaxation as per government norms.

Category	Percentage
General (Unreserved)	60%
OBC/SC/ST/PwD	55%

TET Exam Application Process

The TET exams application process is conducted online through the Central TET or State TETs’ official websites. Aspiring candidates need to follow the steps mentioned below to apply for the TET exam:

1. Visit the CTET or State TET official website
2. Candidates can register by creating their accounts using their email address and mobile number.
3. Now, candidates need to fill out the application form by entering their personal details, educational qualifications, and exam center preferences.
4. After entering all the details, candidates need to upload a scanned copy of a passport-size photograph and signature according to the specified format.
5. Candidates have to pay the required fee via debit/credit card, UPI, or net banking according to their category.
6. Review and submit the application form. Download it for future reference.

CTET Application Fee 

The CTET exam application fees vary according to the category and specific examination. Below, we have mentioned the estimated application fees for the TET exam according to previous year trends

Category	Fees	Papers
General/OBC	Rs 1000/-	Paper I or Paper II
SC/ST/PwD	Rs 750/-	Paper I or Paper II
General/OBC	Rs 1200/-	Both Papers
SC/ST/PwD	Rs 600/-	Both Papers

State TET Application Fee 

The State TET application fee varies across different states in India, as each state government sets its own fee structure. Generally, the fee depends on the candidate’s category—such as General, OBC, SC, ST, or PwD—and the number of papers applied for (Paper I, Paper II, or both). 

The TET application fee is usually paid online through a debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI. Candidates are advised to check the official notification of their respective state TET exam for the exact fee details and payment guidelines. Below we have mentioned the TET application fees of a few states:

Gujarat TET 

Category	Fees
General/OBC	Rs 350/-
SC/ST/PwD	Rs 250/-

TS TET 

Category	Fees	Papers
All Categories	Rs 750/-	Paper I or Paper II
All Categories	Rs 1000/-	Both Papers

AP TET 

Category	Fees	Papers
All Categories	Rs 750/-	Paper I or Paper II
All Categories	Rs 1500/-	Both Papers

TET Exam Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) slightly vary between the two TETs, CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) and State TETs. Below are the TET exam’s general requirements, which are the same for both CTET and State TETs:

TET Exam Educational Qualification

Classes	Criteria
Primary Level Classes I to V	Must pass Senior Secondary (Class 12) with at least 50% marks and also complete or pursue a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.).
Upper Primary Level Classes VI to VIII	Must have completed Graduation with at least 50% marks and also have a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.).

Important Notes for TET Exam 

• There is no age limit to appear for TET exams for government teacher recruitment, but different states can have specific age criteria for aspiring candidates.
• Candidates must have Indian citizenship, but some state TETs may allow domicile-based reservations for local candidates.

TET Exam Important Dates

The central and state governments will announce the TET exam dates, so aspiring candidates should regularly check the official websites for the latest updates. The important dates will give detailed information about the application form dates, exam dates, result dates, and many more. Below, we have mentioned the tentative dates of TET exams in India.

The TET exam follows a structured schedule of important dates that candidates must track carefully throughout the examination cycle. These typically include the release of the official notification, start and last date of the application process, fee payment deadline, and application correction window. After this, the admit card is released a few days before the exam, followed by the examination date itself. Post-exam events such as the release of the answer key, objection window, and declaration of results are also part of the timeline. While exact dates vary from state to state, this sequence remains largely consistent across exams like CTET, UPTET, and other State TETs.

Exam Name	Dates
Telangana State TET (TS TET)	03–20 Jan 2026
Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET)	7 – 8 Feb 2026
Gujarat TET	20 to April 15, 2026
Maharashtra TET (MAHA TET)	21 Jun 2026
Tamil Nadu TET (TN TET)	04 Jul 2026 (Paper I), 05 Jul 2026 (Paper II)
Assam Special TET 2026	TBA

TET Exam Syllabus

The TET exam syllabus consists of Child Development & Pedagogy, Language I & II, Mathematics, Environmental Studies (for Paper I), and Science/Social Studies (for Paper II), following NCERT guidelines, mainly focusing on subject knowledge and different methods of teaching. Both papers I and II have 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with 1 mark for each correct answer and no negative marking.

TET Exam Paper I Syllabus for Classes I to V

Subjects	Topics
Child Development & Pedagogy	Child psychology & development for ages 6 to 11, Different Learning theories & teaching methods, Comprehensive education & special needs children, Various Assessment methods & evaluation types
Language I (Regional Language)	Language, grammar, comprehension & vocabulary, Various Teaching methodologies for language development, Language skills for listening, speaking, reading, writing
Language II (English or Hindi)	Language Grammar, sentence formation, & usage, Various Reading comprehension & unseen passages, Education of language learning
Mathematics	Basics of Number system, arithmetic, & geometry, Knowledge of Measurement, time, & data handling, Different Teaching methods for mathematics
Environmental Studies (EVS)	About Plants, animals, & human body, Basic knowledge of Food, shelter, water, & natural resources, Basic knowledge about Pollution, conservation, and social issues

TET Exam Paper I Syllabus for Classes VI to VIII

Subjects	Topics
Child Development & Pedagogy	Adolescent psychology for ages 11-14, Different Teaching-learning process & assessment, Comprehensive education & special needs
Language I (Regional Language)	Advanced Grammar, comprehension, & pedagogy, Different language skills Development
Language II (English or Hindi)	Advanced level grammar, comprehension, & pedagogy
Mathematics & Science	Mathematics: Advanced Algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, & teaching methods, Science: Basics of Physics, chemistry, biology, environmental science, & pedagogy
Social Studies	Basic about History, geography, political science, economics, Basic of Social issues & pedagogy of social sciences

TET Exam Pattern 

The TET exam consists of two papers each with Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and the exam is conducted for 2 hours 30 minutes with no negative marking and candidates need to score 60% to qualify the exam; this may vary according to category and government & state norms.

TET Exam Pattern for Paper I Primary Level Classes I to V

Subject	Marks
Child Development & Pedagogy	30
Language I (Regional Language)	30
Language II (English or Hindi)	30
Mathematics	30
Environmental Studies (EVS)	30

TET Exam Pattern for Paper II Primary Level Classes VI to VIII

Subject	Marks
Child Development & Pedagogy	30
Language I (Regional Language)	30
Language II (English or Hindi)	30
Mathematics & Science Or Social Studies	60

TET Exam FAQs

How can I apply for TET exams?

Candidates need to visit the official website and have to fill out the application process as per the guidelines mentioned in the notification.

Can I download the admit card for the TET exams?

Yes, candidates can download the admit card through the official website by logging in with their credentials.

What other documents should I carry with an admit card for TET exams?

Candidates need to carry an official government ID, such as an Aadhar card, with their admit card to the TET exam centres.

Is there any age limit for aspiring candidates to apply for the CTET or State TET exams?

No, there is no upper age limit for aspiring candidates for TET exams, as age criteria may vary depending on state policies and recruitment criteria.

How many attempts can I make for the TET exams?

There are no restrictions on the number of attempts for aspiring applicants; they can appear as many times as they want to qualify the TET exams.