CTET Syllabus 2026
Complete CTET 2026 syllabus for Paper 1 and Paper 2 — subject-wise topics, exam pattern, eligibility and preparation tips for Central Teacher Eligibility Test.
For reference only. Always verify formulas and information against your official NCERT textbooks or board-prescribed materials before use in exams. Learnizo does not guarantee absolute accuracy.
What is CTET?
CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) is conducted by CBSE to certify candidates as eligible to teach in Central Government schools (Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, Army Schools, and other central government-aided schools). It is a mandatory qualification for teaching positions in these schools.
CTET certification is also accepted by many state governments as an additional qualification for state government teacher recruitment, though most states have their own TET (State Teacher Eligibility Test).
Exam frequency: CTET is now conducted twice a year (July and December). CTET certificate validity: Lifetime (made permanent in 2021; earlier it was 7 years).
Eligibility: Paper 1 (Classes 1–5): 12th pass + 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed), or Graduation + B.Ed. Paper 2 (Classes 6–8): Graduation + B.Ed or B.Ed (Special Education). Candidates pursuing the qualifying course in final year may also appear.
CTET Exam Pattern
Paper 1 (for Primary Teacher, Classes 1–5): 150 questions, 150 marks, 2.5 hours. All MCQs. No negative marking. Sections: Child Development and Pedagogy (30 marks) + Language I (30 marks) + Language II (30 marks) + Mathematics (30 marks) + Environmental Studies (30 marks).
Paper 2 (for Upper Primary Teacher, Classes 6–8): 150 questions, 150 marks, 2.5 hours. All MCQs. No negative marking. Sections: Child Development and Pedagogy (30 marks) + Language I (30 marks) + Language II (30 marks) + Mathematics and Science OR Social Studies/Social Science (60 marks, candidate's choice based on specialisation).
Passing criteria: Minimum 60% (90/150) for general category. Minimum 55% for OBC/SC/ST/PwD.
Language choice: Language I is the medium of instruction (candidate's preferred teaching language). Language II is a different language that the candidate will teach. Many candidates choose English as Language I and Hindi as Language II or vice versa.
Child Development and Pedagogy Syllabus (Both Papers)
This section is the core of CTET — it tests knowledge of child psychology, learning theories and teaching methodology. It carries 30 marks in both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Child Development: Concept of development and its relationship to learning. Principles of child development. Influence of heredity and environment. Socialisation processes. Piaget, Kohlberg and Vygotsky — constructs and critical perspectives. Child-centred and progressive education concepts.
Concept of Inclusive Education: Understanding children with special needs, learning difficulties, impairment. Ways to address the needs of diverse learners.
Learning and Pedagogy: How children think and learn. Basic processes of teaching and learning. Child as a problem solver and scientific investigator. Alternative conceptions of learning. Cognition and emotions. Motivation and learning. Factors contributing to learning — personal and environmental.
Key theories (frequently tested): Piaget's stages of cognitive development (Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, Formal Operational), Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and scaffolding, Kohlberg's moral development theory, Bloom's Taxonomy of educational objectives.
Mathematics Syllabus (Paper 1 — Class 1–5 Level)
Content (20 marks): Geometry — shapes and spatial understanding, 2D and 3D shapes. Numbers — place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions. Measurement — length, weight, volume, time, area, perimeter. Data Handling — tables, pictographs, bar charts.
Pedagogical Issues (10 marks): Nature of Mathematics and mathematical thinking. Place of Mathematics in curriculum. Language of Mathematics. Community Mathematics. Errors in learning mathematics. Diagnostic and remedial teaching.
Focus: Class 1–5 Maths content is conceptually simple but the pedagogy questions require understanding how children learn mathematics and common errors/misconceptions.
Mathematics and Science Syllabus (Paper 2 — Class 6–8 Level)
Mathematics content (20 marks): Number System, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Data Handling, Ratio and Proportion, Understanding Elementary Shapes.
Science content (20 marks): Food, Materials (properties, changes, fibres, plastics), The World of the Living (organisms, reproduction, life processes), Moving Things People and Ideas (force, work, energy), How Things Work (electricity, light, sound, magnets), Natural Phenomena (weather, rain, natural disasters), Natural Resources (air, water, land).
Pedagogical Issues — Mathematics (10 marks): Same as Paper 1 pedagogy focus but at upper primary level.
Pedagogical Issues — Science (10 marks): Nature and structure of Sciences. Aims and objectives of Science teaching. Understanding and appreciating science. Approaches to science teaching. Innovation. Text material/aids. Evaluation including formative assessment. Problems of teaching and remedial teaching.
Social Studies/Social Science Syllabus (Paper 2 — Alternative to Maths/Science)
History: When, Where and How; The Earliest Societies; The First Farmers and Herders; The First Cities; Early States; New Ideas; The First Empire; Contacts with Distant Lands; Political Developments; Culture and Science; New Kings and Kingdoms; Sultans of Delhi; Architecture; The Creation of an Empire; Social Change; Regional Cultures; The Establishment of Company Power; Rural Life and Society; Colonialism and Tribal Societies; The Revolt of 1857-58; Women and Reform; Challenging the Caste System; Nationalism; India After Independence.
Geography: Geography as a Social Study; Planet: Earth in the Solar System; Globe; Environment in its Totality; Air; Water; Human Environment; Resources; Agriculture.
Social and Political Life: Diversity; Government; Local Governance; Making a Living; Democracy; State Government; Understanding Media; Unpacking Gender; The Constitution; Parliamentary Government; The Judiciary; Social Justice and the Marginalised.
Pedagogical Issues (20 marks): Concept and Nature of Social Science/Studies; Classroom processes, activities and discourse; Developing critical thinking; Enquiry/empirical evidence; Problems of teaching Social Science/Studies; Sources and primary vs secondary resources; Projects work; Evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CTET mandatory for teaching in government schools?
CTET is mandatory for teaching in Central Government schools (KVS, NVS, DSSSB-run schools, Army schools etc.). For state government schools, the respective State TET (STET) or state-specific teacher eligibility test is typically required. Many state governments also accept CTET qualification in addition to their state TET. Some private schools prefer CTET-qualified teachers but it is usually not mandatory at private institutions.
What is the passing mark for CTET?
The minimum passing percentage for CTET is 60% — which means 90 out of 150 marks for general category candidates. For SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates, the minimum is 55% — which is 82–83 out of 150. There is no negative marking, so it is better to attempt all questions rather than leaving any blank. The CTET certificate (since 2021) is valid for life and does not need to be renewed.
Can I appear for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 in the same exam?
Yes — candidates can appear for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 in the same CTET examination, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for both. Each paper is conducted separately on the same day (usually Paper 1 in the morning and Paper 2 in the afternoon). Clearing both enables the candidate to teach classes 1–8 in eligible schools.
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