CTET September 2026 Exam Details 2026

CTET September 2026 applications were open from 11 May 2026 to 10 June 2026. The examination is scheduled for 06 September 2026, with Paper-II in the morning shift and Paper-I in the evening shift; the bulletin notes 05 September may also be used if candidate volume requires it.

Candidates preparing for the exam should first understand the CTET 2026 Syllabus and exam pattern properly. Knowing the exam structure, marking scheme & subject-wise distribution helps candidates prepare in a proper way. Candidates can check the complete overview in the following table. \n\n| CBSE CTET Syllabus 2026 Overview | Particulars |\n| --- | --- |\n| Details | |\n| Exam Name | |\n| Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) | |\n| Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |\n| Exam Level | |\n| National Level | |\n| Exam Mode | |\n| Offline (OMR-based Pen & Paper mode) | |\n| Number of Papers | |\n| Two Papers: Paper I and Paper II | |\n| Purpose | |\n| - For teaching Classes I–V (Primary) <br> - For teaching Classes VI–VIII (Upper Primary) | |\n| Type of Questions | |\n| Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | |\n| Total Questions (Each Paper) | |\n| 150 Questions | |\n| Total Marks (Each Paper) | |\n| 150 Marks | |\n| Marking Scheme | |\n| +1 mark for each correct answer; no negative marking | |\n| Exam Duration | 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes) |\n| Medium of Exam | |\n| English and Hindi (Bilingual) | |\n| Qualifying Marks | |\n| 60% (i.e., 90 out of 150) for the General category <br> Relaxation for reserved categories as per govt. norms | |\n| Validity of Certificate | |\n| Lifetime | |\n| Frequency of Exam | |\n| Twice a year | |\n| Official Website | |\n\n ctet.nic.in

Mastering this CTET exam syllabus 2026 is important for teachers who want to secure teaching positions in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalaya & other CBSE-affiliated schools across India. The syllabus is made to test teaching skills, child psychology & classroom understanding. With the help of the syllabus, they can understand the type & level of questions asked in the exam and start exam planning.

The CTET Syllabus 2026 PDF Paper 1 covers several areas, like Child Development & Pedagogy, to get the understanding of child psychology and teaching approaches. Language paper which assesses the candidate's knowledge in comprehension & communication skills. Mathematics & Environmental Studies, to check conceptual clarity & classroom application. To know the topics in each of these subjects, scroll below.

Pedagogy and child development are the two most important topics provided under the CTET syllabus PDF. If the students thoroughly research each issue, they should do well on this portion. To make aspirants' preparation a little more comforting and easier, we have provided chapter-wise important topics. Check out the table below for the CTET 2026 syllabus for Child Development and Pedagogy. \n\n| Chapters | Important Topics |\n| --- | --- |\n| Child Development (Primary School Child) | |\n| Concept of development and its relationship with learning | |\n| Principles of the Development of Children | |\n| Influence of Heredity & Environment | |\n| Socialization processes: Social world & children (Teacher, Parents, Peers) | |\n| Piaget, Kohlberg, and Vygotsky: constructs and critical perspectives | |\n| Concepts of child-centred and progressive education | |\n| Critical Perspective of the Construct of Intelligence | |\n| Multi-Dimensional Intelligence | |\n| Language & Thought | |\n| Gender as a social construct: gender roles, gender bias, and educational practice | |\n| Individual differences among learners based on diversity of language, caste, gender, community, religion, etc. | |\n| Distinction between Assessment for learning and Assessment of learning | |\n| School-Based Assessment and Continuous & Comprehensive Evaluation: Perspective and Practice | |\n| Formulating appropriate questions for assessing readiness levels, enhancing learning and critical thinking, and assessing learner achievement | |\n| Concept of Inclusive education and understanding children with special needs | |\n| Addressing learners from diverse backgrounds | |\n| Addressing the needs of children with learning difficulties and impairments | |\n| Addressing talented, creative, and specially-abled learners | |\n| Learning and Pedagogy | |\n| How children think and learn; how and why children fail to achieve success in school performance | |\n| Basic processes of teaching and learning | |\n| Children’s strategies of learning | |\n| Learning as a social activity and the social context of learning | |\n| Child as a problem solver and a scientific investigator | |\n| Alternative conceptions of learning and understanding children’s errors as part of the learning process | |\n| Cognition and emotions | |\n| Motivation and learning | |\n\n Factors contributing to learning: personal and environmental

The emphasis in Language 1 provided under the CTET Syllabus 2026 will be on proficiency with the teaching medium. Although it is a scoring section, it requires careful planning. There are 30 questions, and each question carries one mark. The detailed syllabus has been provided below. \n\n| CTET Language 1 Syllabus (Paper 1) | Chapter name | Important Topics |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Language Comprehension | Reading unseen passages – two passages, one prose or drama and one poem, with questions on comprehension, inference, grammar, and verbal ability (Prose passage may be literary, scientific, narrative, or discursive) | |\n| Pedagogy of Language Development | - Learning and acquisition <br> - Principles of Language Teaching <br> - Role of listening and speaking, the function of language, and how children use it as a tool <br> - A critical perspective on the role of grammar in learning a language for communicating ideas verbally and in written form <br> - Challenges of teaching language in a diverse classroom: language difficulties, errors, and disorders <br> - Language Skills <br> - Evaluating language comprehension and proficiency: speaking, listening, reading, and writing <br> - Teaching-learning materials: Textbook, multimedia materials, multilingual resources of the classroom <br> - Remedial Teaching | |

Similar to Language 1, Language 2 is completely built on fundamental ideas. The components of language and comprehension skills are the main focus of Language 2. Candidates must note that there are 30 questions, where each correct answer is awarded one mark. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. The detailed Language 2 CTET syllabus has been given below. \n\n| Chapter Name | Important Topics | Comprehension | Two unseen prose passages (discursive or literary narrative, or scientific) with questions on comprehension, grammar, and verbal ability | Pedagogy of Language Development | Learning and acquisition |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Principles of Language Teaching | Role of listening and speaking, the function of language, and how children use it as a tool | A critical perspective on the role of grammar in learning a language for communicating ideas verbally and in written form | Challenges of teaching language in a diverse classroom: language difficulties, errors, and disorders | Language skills | |\n| Evaluating language comprehension and proficiency: speaking, listening, reading, and writing | Teaching-learning materials: textbook, multimedia materials, and multilingual resources of the classroom | | | | |\n\n Remedial teaching

Despite the extensive nature of the mathematics subject, the exam difficulty level is moderate. The majority of questions are based on first through fifth-grade fundamental math. There will be 30 questions, and for each correct answer, candidates will be awarded 1 mark. The NCERT books for Classes 1st to 5th are the main source of questions in the test. Candidates can check the detailed Mathematics CTET Syllabus 2026 that has been provided below. \n\n| Chapter Name | Important Topics | Content | Geometry | Shapes & Spatial Understanding |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Solids around Us | Numbers | Addition and Subtraction | Multiplication | |\n| Division | Measurement | Weight | Time | |\n| Volume | Data Handling | Patterns | Money | |\n| Pedagogical Issues | Nature of Mathematics and logical thinking; understanding children’s thinking and reasoning patterns and strategies for learning | Place of Mathematics in the Curriculum | Language of Mathematics | |\n| Community Mathematics | Evaluation through formal and informal methods | Problems of Teaching | Error analysis and related aspects of learning and teaching | |\n\n Diagnostic and Remedial Teaching

The Environmental Studies section of the CTET exam is a section in which candidates mostly score highly. It tests the candidate’s pedagogical knowledge and problem-solving skills. The detailed Environmental Studies Syllabus of CTET has been provided below. \n\n| Chapter Name | Important Topics | Content |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Family and Friends: Relationships, Work and Play, Animals, Plants | Food | |\n| Shelter | Water | |\n| Travel | Things We Make and Do | |\n| Pedagogical Issues | Concept and scope of EVS | |\n| Significance of EVS and integrated EVS | Environmental Studies and Environmental Education | |\n| Learning principles | Scope and relation to Science and Social Science | |\n| Approaches to presenting concepts | Activities | |\n| Experimentation / Practical Work | Discussion | |\n| Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) | Teaching material/aid | |\n\n Problems

For the CTET Paper 2 syllabus, candidates should focus on upper primary teaching concepts. The paper includes 30 questions from Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I and II have 30 questions, and 60 questions from Mathematics & Science or Social Studies, evaluating subject expertise and application.

CTET Paper 2 Syllabus 2026 evaluates a candidate’s understanding of educational psychology that focuses on the developmental stages of learners aged between 6 and 14. The detailed CTET CDP syllabus is stated below. \n\n| Chapter Name | Important Topics |\n| --- | --- |\n| Child Development (Elementary School Child) | |\n| Concept of development and its relationship with learning | |\n| Principles of the Development of Children | |\n| Influence of Heredity and Environment | |\n| Socialization processes: Social world and children (Teacher, Parents, Peers) | |\n| Piaget, Kohlberg, and Vygotsky: constructs and critical perspectives | |\n| Concepts of child-centred and progressive education | |\n| Critical perspective of the construct of intelligence | |\n| Multi-dimensional intelligence | |\n| Language and thought | |\n| Gender as a social construct: gender roles, gender bias, and educational practice | |\n| Individual differences among learners based on diversity of language, caste, gender, community, religion, etc. | |\n| Distinction between assessment for learning and assessment of learning; school-based assessment and continuous and comprehensive evaluation: perspective and practice | |\n| Formulating appropriate questions for assessing readiness levels, enhancing learning and critical thinking, and assessing learner achievement | |\n| Concept of inclusive education and understanding children with special needs | |\n| Addressing learners from diverse backgrounds, including disadvantaged and deprived | |\n| Addressing the needs of children with learning difficulties and impairments | |\n| Addressing talented, creative, and specially-abled learners | |\n| Learning and Pedagogy | |\n| How children think and learn; how and why children fail to achieve success in school performance | |\n| Basic processes of teaching and learning | |\n| Children’s strategies of learning | |\n| Learning as a social activity and the social context of learning | |\n| Child as a problem solver and a scientific investigator | |\n| Alternative conceptions of learning and understanding children’s errors as part of the learning process | |\n| Cognition and emotions | |\n| Motivation and learning | |\n\n Factors contributing to learning – personal and environmental

The CTET Syllabus 2026 for Language 1 is made to assess candidates’ proficiency in the medium of instruction chosen by them for Classes VI to VIII. Language I primarily evaluates skills in reading comprehension, grammar, etc. The detailed CTET language syllabus is given below. \n\n| Chapters | Important Topics |\n| --- | --- |\n| Language Comprehension | |\n| Reading unseen passages – two passages, one prose or drama and one poem, with questions on comprehension, inference, grammar, and verbal ability (prose passage may be literary, scientific, narrative, or discursive) | |\n| Pedagogy of Language Development | |\n| Learning and acquisition | |\n| Principles of Language Teaching | |\n| Role of listening and speaking, the function of language, and how children use it as a tool | |\n| A critical perspective on the role of grammar in learning a language for communication | |\n| Challenges of teaching language in a diverse classroom: language difficulties, errors, and disorders | |\n| Language skills | |\n| Evaluating language comprehension and proficiency: speaking, listening, reading, and writing | |\n| Teaching-learning materials: textbook, multimedia materials, multilingual classroom resources | |\n| Remedial teaching | |\n\n IT as a tool

CTET Paper 2 Syllabus for language checks candidates' understanding of language comprehension, grammar, and teaching methods. Candidates should prepare both language skills and pedagogy topics carefully for better performance in the exam. \n\n| Chapter Name | Important Topics | Comprehension | Two unseen prose passages (discursive or literary narrative or scientific) with questions on comprehension, grammar, and verbal ability | Pedagogy of Language Development | Learning and acquisition |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Principles of Language Teaching | Role of listening and speaking, the function of language, and how children use it as a tool | A critical perspective on the role of grammar in learning a language for communication | Challenges of teaching language in a diverse classroom: language difficulties, errors, and disorders | Language skills | |\n| Evaluating language comprehension and proficiency: speaking, listening, reading, and writing | Teaching-learning materials: textbook, multimedia materials, multilingual classroom resources | | | | |\n\n Remedial teaching

To help you with the Maths section, we have tabulated the complete CTET Maths Syllabus below. Candidates must know that there will be 30 math questions that will be completely based on the latest exam pattern. The mathematics syllabus is extensive and difficult, but the level of questions in the exam is simple to moderate. The majority of the questions are from NCERT Classes 6th to 8th. \n\n| Chapter Name | Important Topics | Number System | Knowing our numbers | Playing with numbers |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Whole numbers | Negative numbers and integers | Fractions | Algebra | |\n| Introduction to algebra | Ratio and proportion | Geometry | Basic geometrical ideas (2D) | |\n| Understanding elementary shapes (2D and 3D) | Symmetry (reflection) | Construction (using straight edge, scale, protractor, compasses) | Mensuration | |\n| Data handling | Pedagogical Issues | Nature of Mathematics and logical thinking | Place of Mathematics in the Curriculum | |\n| Language of Mathematics | Community Mathematics | Evaluation | Remedial teaching | |\n\n Problems of teaching

Despite the lengthy and challenging nature of the science subject as given under the CTET Syllabus 2026, the difficulty level of the questions asked in the exam is moderate. This section will have a total of 30 questions that will be based on topics from biology, physics, and chemistry. Questions will be directly asked from the 6th grade to the 8th grade NCERT syllabus; however, the level of difficulty may reach senior secondary level. To make the accessibility easier, the paper 2 CTET Science syllabus has also been tabulated below. \n\n| Chapter Name | Important Topics |\n| --- | --- |\n| Content | |\n| Food: sources of food, components of food, and cleaning food | |\n| Materials: materials of daily use | |\n| The world of the living | |\n| Moving things, people, and ideas | |\n| How things work: electric current and circuits, magnets | |\n| Natural phenomena | |\n| Natural resources | |\n| Pedagogical Issues | |\n| Nature and structure of sciences | |\n| Natural science aims and objectives | |\n| Understanding and appreciating science | |\n| Approaches and an integrated approach | |\n| Observation, experiment, discovery (method of science) | |\n| Innovation | |\n| Teaching material and aids | |\n| Evaluation (cognitive, psychomotor, affective) | |\n\n Problems and remedial teaching

The themes in the CTET Social Science Syllabus are split into two groups: the first group covers topics like history, geography, social life, and politics, while the second group covers pedagogical concerns. The detailed CTET Social Science syllabus has been provided below. \n\n| Chapter Name | Important Topics |\n| --- | --- |\n| History | |\n| When, where, and how | |\n| The earliest societies | |\n| The first farmers and herders | |\n| The first cities | |\n| Early states | |\n| New ideas | |\n| The first empire | |\n| Contacts with distant lands | |\n| Political developments | |\n| Culture and science | |\n| New kings and kingdoms | |\n| Sultans of Delhi | |\n| Architecture | |\n| Creation of an empire | |\n| Social change | |\n| Regional cultures | |\n| Establishment of Company power | |\n| Rural life and society | |\n| Colonialism and tribal societies | |\n| Revolt of 1857–58 | |\n| Women and reform | |\n| Challenging the caste system | |\n| Nationalist movement | |\n| India after independence | |\n| Geography | |\n| Geography as a social study and as a science | |\n| Planet Earth in the solar system | |\n| Globe | |\n| Environment: natural and human | |\n| Air | |\n| Water | |\n| Human environment: settlement, transport, communication | |\n| Resources: natural and human | |\n| Agriculture | |\n| Social and Political Life | |\n| Diversity | |\n| Government | |\n| Local government | |\n| Making a living | |\n| Democracy | |\n| State government | |\n| Understanding media | |\n| Unpacking gender | |\n| Constitution | |\n| Parliamentary government | |\n| Judiciary | |\n| Social justice and marginalized | |\n| Pedagogical Issues | |\n| Concept and nature of social science | |\n| Classroom processes, activities, discourse | |\n| Developing critical thinking | |\n| Inquiry and empirical evidence | |\n| Problems of teaching social science | Sources: primary and secondary |\n| Project work | |\n\n Evaluation

Candidates should check the CTET Exam Pattern 2026 along with the recent syllabus before starting preparation. The exam pattern explains the number of questions, marking scheme, duration, and subjects included in Paper 1 and Paper 2. Knowing the complete exam pattern makes preparation easier.

CTET Paper 1 is conducted for candidates who want to teach classes I to V. The paper includes questions from Child Development and Pedagogy, Languages, Mathematics, and Environmental Studies. Understanding subject-wise marks and question distribution helps in preparing for each section. Candidates can refer to the subject-wise distribution of questions below. \n\n| Subject | Number of Questions Asked | Marks |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |\n| Language-I | 15 | 15 |\n| Language-II | 15 | 15 |\n| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |\n| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |

CTET Paper 2 is for candidates who want to teach Classes VI to 8 in schools. The paper tests candidates on child development and pedagogy, languages, and subject- specific knowledge. Candidates can choose either Mathematics and Science or Social Science based on teaching preference. Candidates can refer to the following table for the section-wise distribution of questions below. \n\n| Subject | Number of Questions Asked | Marks |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |\n| Language-I | 30 | 30 |\n| Language-II | 30 | 30 |\n| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |\n| Science | 30 | 30 |\n| or Social Studies | 60 | |\n| 60 <br> CTET Free Mock Test | Mock Test | |\n| 👉 Attempt Now | CTET Mock Test 1 | |\n| Attempt Now | CTET Mock Test 2 | |\n| Attempt Now | CTET Mock Test 3 | |\n| Attempt Now | CTET Mock Test 4 | |\n\n Attempt Now

The qualifying marks are the minimum marks required to clear the exam. Candidates can check the category-wise marks through the table below: \n\n| Category | Minimum % Required | Qualifying Marks (Out of 150) | General (UR) | 60% | 90 Marks |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| OBC / SC / ST | 55% | 82 Marks | PwD | 55% | |\n| 82 Marks | | | | | |

Candidates preparing for exams should avoid common mistakes during exam preparation. Proper planning and regular practice can improve performance in the exam. Understanding the CTET Syllabus and solving questions daily helps candidates to score well. The following are some common mistakes to avoid during exam preparation. \n\n- Do not leave any subject. Every section in the syllabus is important. \n\n- Do not study without understanding. Focus on concept clarity. \n\n- Do not skip the Mock Test. Mock Tests help candidates to enhance speed and accuracy. \n\n- Avoid last-minute preparation. Daily revisions are more effective than studying at the last moment. \n\n- Do not ignore past papers. Previous year papers help to understand important topics.

Choosing the right study material is important for effective preparation. The following are the best books recommended by teachers for the CTET preparation. \n\n| Subject / Section | Book Name |\n| --- | --- |\n| Author / Publication | |\n| Child Development & Pedagogy | |\n| CTET Child Development & Pedagogy | |\n| Arihant Publications | |\n| Mathematics | |\n| Quantitative Aptitude & Maths Pedagogy for CTET | |\n| Arihant Publications | |\n| Environmental Studies (Paper 1) | |\n| CTET Environmental Studies & Pedagogy | |\n| Arihant Publications | |\n| Science (Paper 2) | |\n| CTET Maths & Science (Paper 2) | |\n| Arihant Publications | |\n| Social Studies (Paper 2) | |\n| CTET Social Studies/Social Science (Paper 2) | |\n| Arihant Publications | |\n| English Language | |\n| CTET English Language & Pedagogy | |\n| Arihant Publications | |\n| Hindi Language | |\n| CTET Hindi Bhasha Evam Shikshan | |\n| Arihant Publications | |\n| Core Foundation (All Subjects) | |\n| NCERT Books (Class 1–8) | |\n| NCERT <br> We hope the article on the CTET Syllabus is helpful. Download the Testbook App for free now and get access to more such learning resources, mock tests, study materials, and expert coaching to stay ahead of the curve in competitive government exams. | |\n| Assistant Professor Syllabus | |\n| TNPSC Assistant Professor Syllabus | |\n| HPSC Assistant Professor Syllabus | |\n| CSIR NET Syllabus | |\n| UPHESC Assistant Professor Syllabus | |\n| OPSC Assistant Professor Syllabus | |\n| APPSC Assistant Professor Syllabus | |\n| Punjab Assistant Professor Syllabus | |\n| UGC NET Syllabus | |\n| TN TRB Assistant Professor Syllabus | |\n| MPPSC Assistant Professor Syllabus | |\n| RPSC Assistant Professor Syllabus | |\n| UPPSC Assistant Professor Syllabus | |\n| WBPSC Assistant Professor Syllabus | |\n| CGPSC Assistant Professor Syllabus | |\n\n BPSC Assistant Professor Syllabus

CTET has two papers: Paper-I for classes I to V and Paper-II for classes VI to VIII. Each paper is 2 hours 30 minutes, uses MCQs, and has no negative marking.

CTET eligibility follows NCTE minimum teacher-education qualifications. Candidates should verify whether they are eligible for Paper-I, Paper-II or both before applying.