CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Paper 1 & Paper 2 Qualifications, Age Limit, and Attempts

Age Requirements

There is no upper age limit to appear for CTET. Candidates should verify any specific age criteria in the recruitment notification of the school or organization they wish to join, as some bodies may impose their own age limits.

CTET Eligibility Criteria Overview

The minimum educational qualifications for CTET are defined by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). Eligibility differs for Paper 1 and Paper 2, with a relaxation of up to 5% in qualifying marks for reserved category candidates. Appearing in CTET does not guarantee appointment; final eligibility is determined by the recruiting body.

Paper 1 (Classes 1 to 5) - Primary Stage

Candidates must have passed or be in the final year of one of the following qualifications:

• Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with a minimum of 50% marks and a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed), OR
• Senior Secondary with 45% marks and a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education), OR
• Senior Secondary with 50% marks and a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed), OR
• Graduation with 50% marks and a 2-year D.El.Ed, OR
• Any other qualification prescribed by NCTE.

This ensures candidates possess both subject knowledge and pedagogical skills for primary stage teaching.

Paper 2 (Classes 6 to 8) - Elementary Stage

Candidates must have passed or be in the final year of one of the following qualifications:

• Graduation with 50% marks and a 2-year D.El.Ed, OR
• Graduation with 50% marks and 1-year B.Ed, OR
• Graduation with 45% marks and 1-year B.Ed (Special Education), OR
• Senior Secondary with 50% marks and 4-year B.El.Ed, OR
• Senior Secondary with 50% marks and 4-year BA/BSc.Ed or BA.Ed/BSc.Ed, OR
• Any other NCTE-prescribed qualification.

Candidates aiming to teach both levels should apply for both papers.

Important Dates

• CTET February 2026 examination date: 08 February 2026
• Application window: 27 November 2025 to 18 December 2025
• Notification updates provided in May 2026

Application Fees (Illustrative for Reserved Categories)

• General/UR: [fee information not specified in the provided content]
• Reserved categories: Lower fees indicated, with possible variation by paper. For exact amounts, refer to the official CTET notification.

Important Instructions

• Ensure you meet the NCTE-prescribed qualifications for the intended paper (Paper 1 or Paper 2).
• Reserved category candidates may be eligible for relaxation in qualifying marks and fees; verify current guidance in the official notification.
• The CTET certificate remains valid for a lifetime across all categories.
• Keep ready your relevant documents and recent photograph when applying online.
• For dual eligibility (Paper 1 and Paper 2), apply for both papers if you intend to teach across classes.
• This listing summarizes the official criteria; always verify with the CTET Information Bulletin and the CBSE notification for the latest updates.