- Who decides. CBSE does not check your eligibility before the exam. It follows the minimum qualifications set by NCTE. You must make sure you are eligible; the school or recruiting body checks your documents at the time of hiring.
- Paper I (Classes I–V): options. Any one of: (1) Class 12 with at least 50% marks and passed or in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed); (2) Class 12 with at least 45% and a 2-year D.El.Ed under the NCTE 2002 norms; (3) Class 12 with at least 50% and passed or in the final year of a 4-year B.El.Ed; (4) Class 12 with at least 50% and passed or in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education); (5) Graduation and passed or in the final year of a 2-year D.El.Ed.
- B.Ed for Paper I. From 2018 to 2023, B.Ed graduates were allowed for primary posts with a bridge course. In August 2023 the Supreme Court (Devesh Sharma v. Union of India) upheld that B.Ed is not a valid qualification for primary (Classes I–V) teachers. If you only have a B.Ed, plan for Paper II, not Paper I.
- Paper II (Classes VI–VIII): options. Any one of: (1) Graduation and passed or in the final year of a 2-year D.El.Ed; (2) Graduation with at least 50% and passed or in the final year of a B.Ed; (3) Graduation with at least 45% and a B.Ed under NCTE norms; (4) Class 12 with at least 50% and passed or in the final year of a 4-year B.El.Ed; (5) Class 12 with at least 50% and passed or in the final year of a 4-year B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed; (6) Graduation with at least 50% and a B.Ed (Special Education). The B.Ed is now a 2-year course under NCTE rules.
- Final-year students. You can apply while in the final year of your D.El.Ed, B.Ed, B.El.Ed or equivalent course. Enter the marks of the years or semesters you have finished.
- Relaxation in qualifying degree marks. SC, ST, OBC and differently abled candidates get up to 5% relaxation in the percentage needed in Class 12 or graduation.
- Age. The CTET bulletin sets no minimum or maximum age. Age limits apply only when you apply for a job (for example, KVS PRT up to 30 years, TGT up to 35 years in the 2025 recruitment).
- Attempts. No limit. You can take CTET again to improve your score.
The Sept 2026 bulletin does not print the qualification list; it points to NCTE rules. The options above come from older official CBSE CTET notices and may have been updated by NCTE since. Check ncte.gov.in before applying.
Sources: cbse.gov.in · cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in · cbse.gov.in · livelaw.in