CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Updated Rules for Paper 1 & 2

INTRODUCTION

Are you planning to kickstart your teaching career in 2026? Navigating the CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria is the first and most crucial step for every aspirant. With the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) continuously refining the standards for teacher education, staying updated with the 2026 guidelines is essential to ensure your application isn't rejected.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) to certify the eligibility of teachers for Primary (Classes 1-5) and Elementary (Classes 6-8) levels. In this comprehensive guide, we break down the latest academic requirements, age limits, and category-wise relaxations for the 2026 sessions.

CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Core Requirements

To be eligible for the CTET 2026 examination, candidates must satisfy three primary pillars: Nationality, Age, and Educational Qualification.

1. Nationality

• The applicant must be a Citizen of India.

• Candidates from Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees who settled in India before January 1, 1962, are also eligible, provided they possess the necessary certificates issued by the Government of India.

2. Age Limit for 2026

One of the most frequent questions is about the maximum age. As per the latest 2026 updates:

• Minimum Age: 18 years.

• Maximum Age: No Upper Age Limit.

  This flexibility allows career-switchers and experienced professionals to enter the teaching stream at any stage of their life.

Detailed Educational Qualifications for Paper 1 (Classes I–V)

Paper 1 is designed for those aiming to teach the Primary wing. The CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria for this paper focus on foundational education degrees.

Educational Qualification	Minimum Percentage Required
Senior Secondary (12th) + 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education	50% (or 45% as per NCTE 2002 norms)
Senior Secondary (12th) + 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education	50%
Senior Secondary (12th) + 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education)	50%
Graduation + 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education	Passing Marks

Note for 2026: Candidates appearing in the final year of any of the teacher training courses (TTC) are also eligible to apply under the "Appearing" category.

Detailed Educational Qualifications for Paper 2 (Classes VI–VIII)

For the Elementary/Junior stage, the requirements shift towards specialized subject knowledge and higher education degrees.

• Graduation: Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed/appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education.

• Graduation + B.Ed.: Graduation or Post-Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed/appearing in bachelor's in education (B.Ed.).

• NCTE 2002 Norms: Graduation with at least 45% marks and passed/appearing in a 1-year B.Ed., in accordance with the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure).

• 4-Year Integrated Course: Senior Secondary with 50% marks and passed/appearing in the final year of 4-year B.A.Ed./B.Sc. Ed. Post-Graduation + Integrated: Post-Graduation with minimum 55% marks and passed/appearing in a 3-year integrated B.Ed. M.Ed. program.

Bridge Course Update: As per recent judicial and NCTE updates, B.Ed. holders qualifying for Paper 1 must complete an NCTE-recognized 6-month Bridge Course in Elementary Education within two years of their appointment as a primary teacher.

Is Your Stream Eligible?

The CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Paper 2 require candidates to choose between two main streams:

1. Mathematics & Science: For candidates with a B.Sc. or technical background.

2. Social Science: For candidates with B.A., Humanities backgrounds.

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CTET 2026 Qualifying Marks & Category Relaxation

While the eligibility to apply is based on your degree, the eligibility to teach is based on your CTET score.

Category	Qualifying Percentage	Qualifying Marks (Out of 150)
General	60%	90
OBC/SC/ST	55%	82

Reservation & Relaxation Rules

As per the updated CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria, candidates from reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/Differently Abled) receive a 5% relaxation in the minimum qualifying marks required in their Senior Secondary or Graduation exams.

How many times can you attempt CTET in 2026?

There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the CTET exam. Even if you have already qualified, you can appear again in 2026 to improve your score. The CTET certificate is now valid for a lifetime, meaning once you pass, you remain eligible for central government teaching jobs (KVS, NVS, etc.) forever.

Ready to ace the exam? 

CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the minimum percentage required in 12th for CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria Paper 1?

A1: For the General category, a minimum of 50% in Senior Secondary is required. However, there is a 5% relaxation for reserved categories, making the requirement 45% under the CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria.

Q2: Can a final-year B.Ed. student apply under the CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria?

A2: Yes, candidates who are appearing in the final year of their Teacher Training Course (B.Ed.) are fully eligible to apply for the exam as per the CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria.

Q3: Is there any change in the CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Post-Graduates?

A3: Yes, post-graduates with at least 55% marks can now apply for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 if they are enrolled in or have completed a 3-year integrated B.Ed. M.Ed. program, as per the updated CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria.

Q4: Do the CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria include an upper age limit?

A4: No, there is no upper age limit specified in the CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria, allowing candidates of all ages to pursue a teaching career.

Conclusion

Understanding the CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria is vital for a successful application. Whether you are opting for the Primary (Paper 1) or Elementary (Paper 2) stream, ensure your educational qualifications align with the latest NCTE norms mentioned above. Remember, qualifying CTET is not just about passing an exam; it is about meeting the high standards set for the future educators of India.

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