Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the syllabus for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026 through its official information bulletin. The exam, originally scheduled for 6 September 2026, has been rescheduled and will now be conducted on 12 and 13 December 2026. This article gives you the complete, verified subject-wise syllabus for both Paper I and Paper II, along with the exam pattern and qualifying criteria.
CTET 2026 Syllabus: Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Full Form | Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) |
| Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Original Exam Date | 6 September 2026 |
| Revised Exam Date | 12 and 13 December 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Offline, Pen and Paper (OMR-Based) |
| Papers | Paper I (Classes 1 to 5) and Paper II (Classes 6 to 8) |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Official Website | ctet.nic.in |
CTET Paper I Syllabus 2026 (Classes 1 to 5)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Child Development and Pedagogy (Paper I)
This section covers the concept of development and its relationship with learning, Piagetian and Vygotskian frameworks of child development, understanding of gender construction in education, individual differences among learners, and continuous and comprehensive evaluation methods used to assess young learners.
Mathematics (Paper I)
The content areas include geometry and shapes, numbers including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, measurement covering weight, time and volume, data handling, patterns, and money concepts. On the pedagogy side, this section tests logical thinking, error analysis in student responses, and remedial teaching approaches for mathematics.
Environmental Studies (Paper I)
Topics covered include family relationships, work and play, animals, plants, food sources, shelter, water, travel, and objects created by people. The pedagogical focus is on integrated learning approaches, hands-on experimentation, and continuous assessment methods suited to young learners.
Language I and Language II (Paper I)
Each language section, worth 30 marks, is based on two unseen passages with comprehension-based questions. The pedagogy portion emphasises listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, the communicative role of grammar, and understanding diverse language challenges faced in the classroom.
CTET Paper II Syllabus 2026 (Classes 6 to 8)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics and Science OR Social Studies | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Child Development and Pedagogy (Paper II)
This section covers the same foundational topics as Paper I, focusing on principles of child development, inclusive education practices, and the broader learning process relevant to upper primary level students.
Mathematics and Science (Paper II, for Mathematics and Science Teachers)
Mathematics topics include number systems, algebra, geometry covering both 2-D and 3-D concepts, symmetry, construction, mensuration and data handling. Science topics include food sources, materials, living organisms, motion, electric circuits, magnets, natural phenomena and natural resources.
Social Studies (Paper II, for Social Studies Teachers)
This section covers History from the earliest societies through India’s independence movement, Geography including earth systems, environment, natural resources and agriculture, and Political Life covering government structure, the Constitution and the judiciary.
Language I and Language II (Paper II)
Similar to Paper I, both language sections are based on comprehension passages along with pedagogy questions focused on language teaching methods suited to upper primary classes.
CTET Exam Pattern and Qualifying Criteria 2026
The examination consists entirely of multiple-choice questions and is conducted bilingually in Hindi and English. Each paper carries 150 questions worth 150 marks, to be completed within 2 hours 30 minutes, with no negative marking for incorrect answers. The syllabus for both papers is based strictly on the NCERT curriculum for Classes 1 to 8.
| Category | Qualifying Marks (Out of 150) | Approximate Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| General/Unreserved | 90 | 60% |
| SC/ST/OBC/PwD | 82 to 83 | Approximately 55% |
The CTET qualifying certificate is valid for a lifetime, and candidates can reappear for the exam an unlimited number of times to improve their score or qualify in a paper they had not cleared earlier.
Important Links for CTET Syllabus 2026
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| CTET Official Information Bulletin Page | Click Here |
| CTET Official Website | Click Here |
About CTET
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test is a national-level eligibility examination conducted by CBSE to determine the eligibility of candidates for teaching positions at the primary and upper primary levels in schools under the Central Government, such as Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and Central Tibetan Schools, and is also accepted by several state governments and private schools as a teaching eligibility criterion. Candidates aspiring to teach Classes 1 to 5 must clear Paper I, while those aspiring to teach Classes 6 to 8 must clear Paper II, and candidates wishing to be eligible for both levels may appear for both papers.
Frequently Asked Questions on CTET Syllabus 2026
When is the CTET 2026 exam scheduled?
The exam has been rescheduled to 12 and 13 December 2026, after being postponed from its original date of 6 September 2026.
What is the total number of questions in each CTET paper?
Each paper, Paper I and Paper II, has 150 questions worth 150 marks.
Is there negative marking in CTET?
No, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers in CTET.
What is the qualifying mark for General category candidates?
General category candidates need to score at least 90 out of 150 marks, which is 60 percent.
Who should appear for CTET Paper I?
Candidates aspiring to teach Classes 1 to 5 should appear for Paper I.
Who should appear for CTET Paper II?
Candidates aspiring to teach Classes 6 to 8 should appear for Paper II.
Is the CTET syllabus based on NCERT books?
Yes, the syllabus for both papers is based strictly on the NCERT curriculum for Classes 1 to 8.
How long is the CTET qualifying certificate valid?
The CTET qualifying certificate is valid for a lifetime.
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