Teaching Jobs 2026: CTET, State TET, KVS and School Recruitment

Teaching is the largest single source of government vacancies for graduates in India, with central and state recruitments running every year. This hub covers the eligibility test route, the recruitments that follow it, and the pay structure at each level.

Teaching Jobs 2026 at a Glance

Head	Detail
Central eligibility test	CTET, conducted twice a year by CBSE
State eligibility tests	State TETs conducted by state education boards
Recruitments that follow	State teacher recruitment, KVS, NVS, DSSSB schools
Minimum qualification	Senior secondary with D.El.Ed, or graduation with B.Ed
Pay range	Level 5 to Level 8, depending on the post and stage
Selection	Eligibility test, then written exam and sometimes an interview

Paper Structure: CTET and State TETs

Paper	Classes covered	Questions	Marks	Time
Paper 1	Classes 1 to 5	150	150	150 minutes
Paper 2	Classes 6 to 8	150	150	150 minutes
State TET paper 1	Primary level	State pattern, usually 150 questions	150	150 minutes
State TET paper 2	Upper primary level	State pattern, usually 150 questions	150	150 minutes

Both papers carry 150 multiple choice questions in 150 minutes, with no negative marking in CTET. The qualifying mark is 60 per cent overall, which is 90 marks out of 150, and the certificate is valid for a limited period as notified by the board.

A candidate can appear for Paper 1 and Paper 2 in the same cycle if eligible for both. The same sitting is used for both papers in CTET, so the subject preparation has to be planned together.

Eligibility Route to a Teaching Job

Level	Qualification required
Primary teacher (classes 1 to 5)	Senior secondary with 50 per cent marks and a two-year diploma in elementary education, plus Paper 1 of the eligibility test
Upper primary teacher (classes 6 to 8)	Graduation with a B.Ed or equivalent qualification, plus Paper 2 of the eligibility test
Trained graduate teacher	Graduation with B.Ed, subject to the state recruitment rules
Post graduate teacher	Post-graduation in the subject with B.Ed
Assistant professor	Post-graduation with a national eligibility test qualification

A D.El.Ed is the standard route for primary level, while a B.Ed is required for upper primary and above.
The state TET is usually mandatory for state government schools, and CTET is accepted for central schools.
Keep the eligibility certificate number and validity date noted for every application.

Pay Structure Across Teaching Posts

Post	Pay level	Indicative basic pay
Primary teacher	Level 5 to 6	29,200 to 35,400 rupees
Trained graduate teacher	Level 7	44,900 rupees
Post graduate teacher	Level 8	47,600 rupees
Assistant professor	Level 10	57,700 rupees
Head master	Level 8 to 9	47,600 to 53,100 rupees

Teaching posts carry the same dearness allowance and house rent allowance structure as other government posts, along with leave benefits and a defined service framework. Many states also run a separate pay scale for contractual teachers, which differs from the regular scale.

Preparing for a Teaching Recruitment

Subject	What is asked	Weight
Child development and pedagogy	Learning theories, assessment, inclusive education	High
Language 1 and language 2	Grammar, comprehension, pedagogy of language	High
Mathematics and science	Class 1 to 8 level concepts and pedagogy	Medium to high
Social studies	History, geography, civics with pedagogy	Medium
Environmental studies	Basic environmental concepts	Medium

Clear the eligibility test first, because the certificate is the entry condition for state recruitment.
Prepare pedagogy along with the subject, since a large share of questions is teaching-method based.
Solve previous year papers of both CTET and your state TET.
Keep the D.El.Ed or B.Ed completion certificate ready before the recruitment window opens.

Most candidates clear the eligibility test on the second or third attempt. The scoring pattern rewards consistent practice rather than last-minute preparation, and the same syllabus reappears in the recruitment exam.

Teacher Eligibility Tests: CTET and State TET

Every government school teacher recruitment in the country now requires a teacher eligibility test qualification. CTET is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education and is accepted by central schools and by states that have adopted it, while each state also runs its own TET for state government schools. The two papers under CTET are for the primary level, classes one to five, and the elementary level, classes six to eight.

Test	Levels covered	Validity	Accepted by
CTET	Primary and elementary	Lifetime as per current rules	Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya and adopting states
State TET for primary	Classes one to five	State specific, generally lifetime	State government primary schools
State TET for upper primary	Classes six to eight	State specific	State government upper primary schools
TET for secondary	Classes nine and ten in some states	State specific	State secondary schools
Subject specific eligibility test	Post graduate teacher level	State specific	Senior secondary schools

A state TET qualifies you only in that state, while CTET is accepted wherever the state has not made its own test mandatory. Candidates who plan to work in a particular state should attempt that state’s TET even if they have already cleared CTET.

Recruitment Routes After Clearing TET

Clearing the eligibility test does not by itself give you a job. The test qualifies you to appear in teacher recruitment, which is conducted separately through state-level recruitment boards, district-level panels or school management committees depending on the state. The written merit list in these recruitments is what finally decides the appointment.

Route	Conducting authority	Typical stages
State teacher recruitment board	State government	Written test, document verification
District level panel	District education office	Merit based on eligibility test and academic marks
Kendriya Vidyalaya	KVS	Written examination and interview
Navodaya Vidyalaya	NVS	Written examination and interview
Sainik and military schools	School administration	Written test and interview
Higher secondary recruitment	State board	Subject test and interview

Several states give weightage to academic marks and to the eligibility test score while preparing the final merit list. Candidates with a higher percentage in graduation and in the teacher training diploma usually have an advantage in these states.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum qualification to become a government teacher?

For primary level it is senior secondary with 50 per cent marks and a diploma in elementary education; for upper primary it is graduation with a B.Ed, along with the required eligibility test.

Is CTET compulsory for state teacher jobs?

CTET is compulsory for central schools. For state schools, the state TET is usually the mandatory qualification, although several states accept CTET.

How many marks are needed to pass CTET?

Sixty per cent of the total, which is 90 marks out of 150, with relaxation for reserved categories as notified.

Which is better, CTET or a state TET?

Both serve different purposes. CTET is accepted in central schools and in states that have adopted it, while a state TET is required for that state’s own government schools.

Is the teacher eligibility test valid for a lifetime?

Yes, the validity of the teacher eligibility certificate has been extended, so candidates do not need to reappear unless the rules for a specific recruitment state otherwise.

Related Guides on This Site

These guides cover the stages that follow a notification, from the application form to the physical test and the final salary structure.

More Job Hubs on This Site

Browse all 40 job hubs: All Job Hubs — jobs by qualification, sector and state

Last updated: 18 September 2026.