The Central Board of Secondary Education CBSE conducts the Central Teacher Eligibility Test CTET to assess candidates for teaching positions in Central Government Schools like KVS NVS plus others. Aspirants must carefully check the CTET Eligibility Criteria, which includes educational qualification age limit plus nationality requirements as prescribed by CBSE before applying for the CTET exam.
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026
The 21st edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) for Paper-I and Paper-II is scheduled for 8th February 2026. To apply for CTET 2026, candidates must meet certain eligibility requirements, which are based on three main aspects:
- Nationality
- Age Limit
- Educational Qualification
The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) regulations will be applied as mentioned earlier for determining eligibility. Candidates may include:
- Postgraduate candidates with a minimum of 55% marks or an equivalent grade, or those who have completed a three-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed. program.
- Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications specified in the Recruitment Rules of the respective government for teachers in the school where they intend to work, or in the Recruitment Rules of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan or Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti.
It is important to note that qualifying the CTET exam does not automatically confirm a candidate’s eligibility for teaching recruitment. The CTET certificate does not guarantee any right to appointment. The final verification of eligibility for recruitment rests solely with the concerned authority.
Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria mentioned above can apply online for CTET 2026 through the official website: https://ctet.nic.in.
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 Application Eligibility
CTET Exam Date 2026 Application Eligibility Criteria include nationality, age limit, and educational qualifications. Candidates must meet all conditions before applying.
| Eligibility | Details |
| Nationality | Indian citizen, or citizen of Nepal, or citizen of Bhutan, or Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 for permanent settlement, or person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Vietnam, or Myanmar |
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Maximum Age | No upper age limit |
| Age Relaxation | Applicable for reserved categories as per government rules |
| Educational Qualification | Varies for Paper 1 (Classes 1–5) and Paper 2 (Classes 6–8) |
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 Educational Qualification
CTET Exam Date 2026 Educational Qualification depends on the paper chosen by the candidate. Eligibility requirements are different for Paper I (Classes 1–5) and Paper II (Classes 6–8), so applicants must carefully check the prescribed qualifications before applying for CTET 2026.
| CTET Paper | Classes Covered | Who Should Apply | Eligibility Requirement |
| Paper 1 | Classes 1 to 5 | Candidates who want to teach at the primary level | Must appear only for Paper 1 |
| Paper 2 | Classes 6 to 8 | Candidates who want to teach at the upper primary level | Must appear only for Paper 2 |
| Paper 1 + Paper 2 | Classes 1 to 8 | Candidates who want to teach both primary plus upper primary levels | Must qualify both Paper 1 and Paper 2 |
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Paper-I (Classes 1 to 5)
Candidates who wish to apply as teachers for primary classes (1st to 5th) must meet the following educational qualifications for CTET Paper-I:
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.).
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education, in accordance with the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure) Regulations, 2002.
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.).
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education).
- Graduation with at least 50% marks along with a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree.
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Paper-II (Classes 6 to 8)
Candidates aiming to teach classes 6th to 8th in government or government-aided schools must fulfill the following educational qualifications for CTET Paper-II:
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.).
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year B.A./B.Sc. Ed. or B.A.Ed./B.Sc.Ed. program.
- Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in a 1-year B.Ed. (Special Education).
- Candidates who have completed a B.Ed. program recognized by NCTE are eligible to appear for CTET.
- Postgraduate candidates with a minimum of 55% marks (or equivalent grade) and a three-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed. program.
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 Nationality Requirements
Candidates must fulfill the nationality criteria to be eligible for the CTET 2026 exam. Any candidate not meeting these requirements may have their application cancelled at any stage of the selection process.
Eligible candidates include:
- Citizens of Nepal.
- Citizens of Bhutan.
- Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1st January 1962 intending to settle permanently.
- Individuals who have migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Vietnam, or Burma and are now permanent residents of India.
CTET Age Limit 2026
There is no age restriction for candidates applying for the CTET 2026 exam. Aspirants can attempt the exam multiple times to improve their scores, as there is no upper or lower age limit prescribed.
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Reserved Categories
The CTET exam does not provide reservation in terms of eligibility for categories like SC, ST, OBC, PwD, or Transgender candidates. However, candidates from these categories are granted a 5% relaxation in the minimum qualifying marks required to pass the exam.
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 Minimum Qualifying Marks
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has set the minimum qualifying marks at 60% for general category candidates. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. The minimum qualifying marks vary for reserved and unreserved categories.
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 Certificate Validity
Previously, the CTET certificate was valid for a period of seven years from the date of issue. However, on 3 June 2021, the Ministry of Education extended the validity of the CTET certificate to lifetime, with retrospective effect from 2011. Following this decision, all States and Union Territories were instructed to revalidate or reissue certificates for candidates whose earlier seven-year validity had already expired.
CTET Salary
Teachers appointed on the basis of CTET qualification receive salaries as per their post, school type, and educational qualifications. Generally, the pay scale for CTET-qualified teachers ranges from ₹9,300 to ₹34,800. Depending on allowances and location, the monthly in-hand salary can reach up to ₹48,000.
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 Career Opportunities
Clearing the CTET 2026 exam opens the door to a stable and rewarding career in the teaching sector. Candidates who qualify can apply for teaching positions across a wide range of schools. Key career options after CTET include:
- Teaching jobs in central government institutions such as Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS), and Central Tibetan Schools.
- Opportunities in schools that fall under the administrative control of Union Territories.
- Employment in several private schools that consider CTET qualification as a preferred or mandatory criterion.
- Teaching positions in state government and municipal bodies–run schools.
Overall, CTET acts as a strong foundation for long-term growth and security in the teaching profession.
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs
Who can apply under reserved category relaxation in CTET 2026?
Reserved category candidates including SC, ST, OBC, PwD, or Transgender receive 5% relaxation in minimum qualifying marks.
What are the nationality requirements for CTET 2026?
Eligible candidates include Indian citizens, citizens of Nepal or Bhutan, Tibetan refugees before 1962, and migrants from certain countries permanently residing in India.
What is the minimum qualifying mark for CTET 2026?
Minimum qualifying marks are 60% for General candidates and 55% for Reserved category candidates. There is no negative marking.
