TET Exam 2026: CTET & UPTET Complete Guide
Master the CTET/UPTET exam with our comprehensive guide covering notification dates, eligibility, salary ₹35K-₹95K, exam strategy & rank rank #1
📊 TET Exam 2026 At a Glance
📑 Complete TET 2026 Guide Navigation
What is TET Exam 2026?
The TET Exam 2026 (Teacher Eligibility Test) is the gateway to securing government teaching positions in India. CTET (Central TET) and state-level TETs like UPTET are mandatory for anyone aspiring to teach in government schools.
CTET 2026: Central Teacher Eligibility Test
CTET 2026 exam date: February 8, 2026 (Official notification released November 27, 2025)
- Central test conducted by CBSE for teaching positions across India
- 150 questions per paper, 2.5 hours duration
- Paper 1: Classes 1-5 (Primary Teachers)
- Paper 2: Classes 6-8 (Upper Primary Teachers)
- Valid for lifetime (no expiry)
UPTET 2026: Uttar Pradesh TET
UPTET 2026 exam date: January 29-30, 2026
- State-level exam for UP government school teaching jobs
- Highest hiring state in India (40,000+ vacancies annually)
- Lifetime validity of certificate
- 150 questions, 2.5 hours per paper
TET Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before appearing for TET exam 2026, ensure you meet ALL eligibility requirements. Missing even one criterion disqualifies you.
CTET 2026 Paper 1 Eligibility (Primary Classes 1-5)
✅ Any ONE of the following:
Senior Secondary (12th) + 2-year D.El.Ed (Diploma in Elementary Education)
Senior Secondary + 4-year B.El.Ed (Bachelor of Elementary Education)
Graduation + 1-year B.Ed
Post-Graduation + 3-year integrated B.Ed-M.Ed (55% marks minimum)
CTET 2026 Paper 2 Eligibility (Upper Primary Classes 6-8)
✅ Any ONE of the following:
Graduation + 1-year B.Ed (50% marks minimum)
Graduation (45% marks) + 1-year B.Ed
Post-Graduation + 3-year integrated B.Ed-M.Ed
General Requirements for TET 2026
- Indian nationality (Or Nepal/Bhutan subject)
- Minimum 17 years age (no upper age limit)
- All marks relaxed by 5% for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD)
- Currently pursuing or completed teacher training courses
⚠️ Critical: Disqualification Criteria
You CANNOT appear if: You failed to meet minimum educational qualification, Don’t have required teacher training, Are below 17 years of age, Not in final year of teacher training course
TET Exam 2026 Pattern & Syllabus
Understanding the TET 2026 exam pattern is crucial for targeted preparation. Both CTET and UPTET follow similar patterns.
TET 2026 Exam Pattern Overview
| Aspect | Paper 1 (Classes 1-5) | Paper 2 (Classes 6-8) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 150 | 150 |
| Duration | 2 hours 30 minutes | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Total Marks | 150 | 150 |
| Negative Marking | NO | NO |
| Question Type | MCQ (Multiple Choice) | MCQ (Multiple Choice) |
| Qualifying Marks | 60% (General), 55% (Reserved) | 60% (General), 55% (Reserved) |
TET 2026 Paper 1 Syllabus (Classes 1-5)
- Child Development & Pedagogy: 30 questions (Concepts of development, learning, teaching)
- Language I (English/Hindi/Regional): 30 questions (Grammar, comprehension, pedagogy)
- Language II (English/Hindi/Regional): 30 questions (Grammar, comprehension, pedagogy)
- Mathematics: 30 questions (Number system, algebra, geometry, arithmetic)
- Environmental Studies: 30 questions (Science and social studies combined)
TET 2026 Paper 2 Syllabus (Classes 6-8)
- Child Development & Pedagogy: 30 questions
- Language I: 30 questions
- Language II: 30 questions
- Mathematics + Science OR Social Studies: 60 questions (Choose one)
TET Exam 2026: Salary & Career Progression
One of the biggest attractions of TET qualification is the stable government salary with pension benefits. Here’s the complete salary breakdown after 7th Pay Commission:
TET 2026 Teacher Salary by Position (Monthly In-Hand)
| Position | Basic Pay | Grade Pay | Gross Salary | In-Hand (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Teacher (PRT) | ₹35,400 | ₹4,200 | ₹62,658 | ₹60,000-₹65,000 |
| Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) | ₹44,900 | ₹4,600 | ₹80,000 | ₹52,000-₹55,000 |
| Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) | ₹47,600 | ₹4,800 | ₹94,744 | ₹90,000-₹95,000 |
Additional Benefits & Allowances
💰 What TET Teachers Get Beyond Salary
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): 30% of basic pay
- Dearness Allowance (DA): 58% of basic pay (as of 2026)
- Travel Allowance: ₹3,600 per month
- Enhanced Provident Fund (EPF): 12% employer + 12% employee
- Pension: Guaranteed government pension post-retirement
- Health Insurance: CGHS/State health scheme for self + family
- Annual Bonus: Varies by state
- Paid Leave: 30+ days annually
Salary Progression & Career Growth
TET teachers receive annual increments and can be promoted to Principal/Head positions after 15+ years of service.
TET Exam 2026: Winning Preparation Strategy
Success in TET 2026 requires strategic preparation across 5 diverse sections. Here’s your roadmap:
3-Month TET 2026 Preparation Timeline
✅ Month 1: Foundation Building (Weeks 1-4)
Child Development: Study NCERT based concepts (cognition, learning theories, development stages)
Languages: Focus on grammar basics, comprehension techniques, teaching methodology
Math/Science: Cover fundamental concepts from NCERT textbooks
Daily Target: 4-5 hours study, Focus on understanding concepts
✅ Month 2: Practice & Speed Building (Weeks 5-8)
Solve 50+ MCQs daily from each subject section
Time yourself: Practice with time limits (solve 30 questions in 30 minutes)
Weak areas: Identify and deep-dive into difficult topics
Revision: Revisit Month 1 concepts weekly
✅ Month 3: Full Mock Tests & Final Polish (Weeks 9-12)
Take 15+ full-length mock tests (2.5 hours each)
Analyze performance: Review wrong answers in detail
Target score: Achieve 70-75% consistently in mocks
Final revision: Last 2 weeks – revise important formulas and concepts
Best Resources for TET 2026
-
NCERT Books (Official):
Core syllabus content for all TET subjects published by NCERT.
https://ncert.nic.in/textbook.php -
CTET Official Website (CBSE):
Official notifications, syllabus, exam dates, and previous year papers.
https://ctet.nic.in -
State TET Official Portals:
Authentic state-level notifications and exam materials (example: UP TET).
https://updeled.gov.in -
PrepInsta & CampusMonk:
Practice-based preparation resources and mock tests.
https://prepinsta.com | https://campusmonk.com -
YouTube Learning Channels:
Concept clarity and pedagogy support.
Khan Academy India , Unacademy , Study IQ -
Mock Test Platforms:
Widely used apps for TET practice tests.
https://testbook.com | https://www.adda247.com
TET Exam 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely! CTET 2026 is open to any graduate with the required teacher training qualification (B.Ed, D.El.Ed, etc.). Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject.
However, you MUST have completed or be in the final year of a recognized teacher training course. Without B.Ed/D.El.Ed, you’re automatically disqualified, regardless of other qualifications.
Unlimited attempts. There’s no cap on how many times you can take CTET/UPTET. You can retake the exam in the next testing cycle (typically 6 months later).
Your certificate is valid for lifetime, so even if you fail now, qualify later, your certificate doesn’t expire.
CTET (Central): Exam for central schools (Kendriya Vidyalayas), private schools, and some state government schools. Valid nationally.
UPTET (State): Exam specifically for Uttar Pradesh government school positions. Only valid in UP. But UP is India’s largest recruiting state (40,000+ positions annually).
Smart Strategy: Clear both CTET and UPTET to maximize job opportunities. Cost is only ₹300-500 per exam.
Yes, you can take both! CTET 2026 allows candidates to appear for both Paper 1 (Primary) and Paper 2 (Upper Primary) on the same day.
Paper 1 is 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM, Paper 2 is 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM. This doubles your job opportunities.
Recommendation: Unless you’re 100% confident, focus on ONE paper first. Passing both requires different preparation.
No, but it’s mandatory. Clearing TET is a prerequisite for applying to teaching jobs, but not a guarantee. You still need to apply through official recruitment, appear for interviews, and compete with other qualified candidates.
That said, TET qualification dramatically increases your chances. With 40,000+ vacancies in UP alone annually and thousands more in other states, opportunities are genuine.
Immediately if CTET is in February 2026. With just 1+ month left, your preparation window is tight. Start daily 4-5 hour study sessions TODAY.
If you’re from other states with TET in different months: Start 3-4 months before your scheduled exam. Earlier start = better confidence and more practice attempts.
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