CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026, Qualification and Age Limit

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is going to conduct the 21st edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) on Sunday, 8th February 2026, covering both Paper-I and Paper-II. Candidates planning to apply for the exam must review the CTET eligibility criteria 2026. The eligibility criteria include the details of like education, age, and nationality, which are explained in the article below.

CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026

A CTET certificate is mandatory for teaching aspirants to get a teaching job in government as well as government-aided schools. The CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 depend on three major aspects, to ensure the final selection candidates have to fulfill the CTET Eligibility 2026 given below:

1. CTET Nationality
2. CTET Age Limit
3. CTET Qualification

• The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has released revised CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 for candidates who are pursuing Teacher Training Courses (TTC)
• As per NCTE, Candidates who have been admitted and undergoing any Teacher Training Course(TTC) can be referred to as “Pursuing” and they can be eligible to apply for the CTET Examination.
• The candidates whose appointments are challenged were eligible to appear in the CTET exam when they are pursuing a Teacher Training Course(TTC).
• National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) Regulations for eligibility criteria will be followed as previously mentioned.
• Post-graduation candidate with a minimum 55% marks or equivalent grade and three-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed.
• Minimum qualifications laid down in the Recruitment Rules for the teachers by the Appropriate Government where the school is situated or the Recruitment Rules for the teachers of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangthan or Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti.
• Central Teacher Eligibility Test(CTET) does not imply that the candidate’s eligibility has been verified for Recruitment.
• Central Teacher Eligibility Test(CTET) does not vest any right with the candidate for appointment.
  The final eligibility for any teaching recruitment by the concerned authority shall be finally verified.

CTET Exam Date 2026- Click to Check

CTET Educational Qualification

According to NCTE, Candidates who are undergoing any Teacher Training Course(TTC) can be referred to as “Pursuing” and they can be eligible to apply for the CTET Exam 2026. The CTET Qualification prescribed for CTET 2026 is detailed below.

CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Paper 1

Candidates applying as teachers for classes 1st to 5th in primary schools must check the CTET Qualification for Paper 1.

• Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (by whatever name known). OR
• Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (by whatever name known), by the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure), Regulations, 2002. OR

• Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passing or appearing in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed). OR

• Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education). OR

• Graduation with at least 50% marks and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed).

CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Paper 2

Candidates applying as teachers for classes 6th to 8th in government schools must first check the CTET Qualification for Paper 2.

• Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor in Elementary Education (B.El.Ed). OR
• Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of 4-year B.A/B. Sc. Ed or B.A.Ed/ B. Sc. Ed. OR
• Graduation with at least 50% marks and passing or appearing in 1-year B.Ed. (Special Education).
• Candidates having a qualified B.Ed Programme recognized by the NCTE is eligible to appear in TET/CTET. OR
• Post-graduation candidate with a minimum 55% marks or equivalent grade and three-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed.

Nationality for CTET 2026 Exam

The candidates need to meet the CTET Eligibility Criteria to be eligible for the CTET 2026 exam. If candidates fail to meet the following nationality criteria his/her candidature can be terminated at any stage of the selection process. The CTET Nationality Criteria 2026 are detailed below.

• A Nepalese subject.
• A Bhutanese subject.
• A Tibetian who arrived In India before the 1st of January 1962 to settle permanently in India.
• Candidates who have migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Vietnam, and Burma permanently reside in India.

CTET Age Limit 2026

There is no prescribed age limit to apply online for CTET Exam 2026. Candidates can attempt several times as they want to improve their CTET score. There is no age restriction for applying CTET Exam 2026.

CTET Eligibility Criteria for Reserved Category

There are no reservation criteria for reserved categories like SC/ ST/ OBC/ PwD/ Transgenders, etc. Although they get 5% relaxation in the minimum qualifying marks required to qualify for CTET Exam 2026.

Candidates who fulfill the eligibility parameters mentioned in the article are eligible to apply online for the CTET exam 2026. Candidates can submit their online application form from the official website of https://ctet.nic.in/ or by clicking on the link given below.

CTET 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 minimum qualifying marks are different for unreserved and reserved categories.