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Understanding whether you’re eligible for CTET is the first step toward becoming a teacher. With new updates and different criteria for Paper 1 and Paper 2, it’s normal to feel confused. That’s why getting a clear idea of the CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 can save you time and stress. In this blog, we break everything down in simple language so you know the updated eligibility criteria for the CTET exam 2026. Let’s make it easy and start from the basics.
| Particulars | Details |
| Examination | CTET or Central Teacher Eligibility Test |
| Conducting Body | CBSE or Central Board of Secondary Education |
| Level of Examination | National |
| Frequency | Twice a year |
| Minimum Age limit | 17 years |
| Maximum age limit | No maximum age limit |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Official Website | ctet.nic.in |
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026
The National Council for Teachers Education (NCTE) has made some changes to the CTET eligibility criteria this year. The revised eligibility criteria, including the educational qualifications, age limit, changes from previous years, subject combination, reserved category requirements, etc., have been given in this blog along with complete information about the new pointers that have been added to the revised CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026.
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Educational Qualification for Papers 1 & 2
There are differences in CTET eligibility between Paper 1 (primary teachers) and Paper 2 (elementary teachers). Read the information below:
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2024 for Paper 1
- Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education
- Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 45% marks and passed 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 its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education.
- Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education).
- Graduation with at least 50% marks and a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.).
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2024 for Paper 2
- Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor’s in Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.).
- Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed in the final year of a 4-year B.A/B.Sc. Ed or B.A.Ed/B.Sc. Ed.
- Graduation with at least 50% marks and passing in the 1-year B.Ed. (Special Education).
- Candidates having a qualified B.Ed. Programmes recognised by the NCTE are eligible to appear in TET/CTET.
- Post-graduation candidates with a minimum 55% marks or equivalent grade and a 3-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed. are also eligible.
Also Read: How to Become a Teacher? | Leverage Edu Learn
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2024: Nationality
To be eligible to sit in the CTET exam, candidates must meet one of the following nationality requirements:
- Indian citizen
- Nepalese citizen
- Bhutanese citizen
- A Tibetan who entered India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of settling there permanently.
- Permanent residents of India who have immigrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya, and Vietnam.
Age Limit For CTET 2026
There is no such age limit for appearing for the CTET exam 2026. Candidates can attempt the exam as many times as they wish to improve their CTET score.
Also Read: Learning Outcomes in Teaching
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2024: Reserved Category
For reserved category candidates (SC, ST, OBC, or PWD), there is no provision for seat reservations. Candidates with a 60% or more score will qualify for the next process. However, Reserved Category students can get a 5% mark relaxation in the qualifying exam for the CTET.
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Minimum Qualifying Marks
The minimum qualifying mark set by the Central Board of Secondary Education is 60%. There is no deduction of marks for wrong answers. The qualifying marks differ for unreserved and reserved categories.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
| Unreserved | 90 |
| Reserved (SC/ST/OBC/PwD, etc.) | 82 |
FAQs
No, you are not eligible for CTET. The eligibility criteria require the candidate to either complete or be enrolled in a two-year teacher training diploma course in elementary education.
The CTET Eligibility Certificate now has a lifetime validity period instead of just seven years.
B.Ed. is not a mandatory qualifying educational requirement; it’s an option. You can check the list of educational requirements to look for other qualifying degrees and courses.
B.Ed. and CTET serve different purposes. B.Ed. is a professional teaching degree, while CTET is a qualifying exam. For government teaching jobs, both are important and complement each other.
Yes, candidates with a B.Ed. degree are eligible for CTET Paper 2. It qualifies them to apply for teaching positions for Classes 6 to 8 in government schools.
Related Blogs
| CTET Exam Date | CTET Admit Card |
| How to Prepare for the CTET Exam | CTET Exam Pattern |
| Discover Your Path to Academic Excellence | CTET Previous Year Question Paper |
This was all about the CTET Eligibility Criteria. For more such informative blogs, check out our Teaching Exam Section, or you can learn more about us by visiting our Indian exams page on Leverage Edu.
