CTET 2026 — Paper I or Paper II?
Decide which paper fits your teaching goal · CBSE · 6 September 2026
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is conducted by CBSE twice a year as the qualifying gate for teaching positions in central government schools (KVS, NVS, central tribal schools) and most state government schools. CTET has TWO papers — Paper I qualifies you to teach Classes 1-5 (primary), Paper II for Classes 6-8 (upper primary). They are separate exams with different eligibility, different syllabi, and different career paths. On 6 September 2026, both papers run on the same day in different sessions; you can take one or both. The right choice depends on what age group you want to teach + your educational background. This page helps you decide; the dedicated pages for each paper carry the syllabus, mock tests, and prep strategy.
Eligibility Criteria
- Age Limit
- No upper age limit. Minimum 18 years for either paper.
- Educational Qualification
- Paper I: 12th + 2-year D.El.Ed (or equivalent). Paper II: Bachelor's degree + 2-year D.El.Ed OR 1-year B.Ed. See per-paper pages for full eligibility detail.
- Nationality
- Indian citizen.
- Number of Attempts
- No limit on attempts. Certificate (once obtained) is valid for lifetime since CBSE's 2021 rule change.
Exam Pattern
| Stage | Mode | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I — Classes 1-5 (Primary) | CBT (Computer-Based Test) | 2 hours 30 minutes | 150 |
| Paper II — Classes 6-8 (Upper Primary) | CBT (Computer-Based Test) | 2 hours 30 minutes | 150 |
Paper I — Classes 1-5 (Primary) sections: CDP (30) + Language I (30) + Language II (30) + Mathematics (30) + EVS (30). NO negative marking. See /exams/ctet-paper-1 for the full syllabus.
Paper II — Classes 6-8 (Upper Primary) sections: CDP (30) + Language I (30) + Language II (30) + ONE elective of 60 marks (Math & Science OR Social Studies/Social Science). NO negative marking. See /exams/ctet-paper-2 for the full syllabus.
Detailed Syllabus
Shared between Paper I and Paper II
- Child Development & Pedagogy (CDP) — same conceptual area, but Paper II tests at higher cognitive complexity (adolescent development emphasis)
- Language I and Language II — chosen language pedagogy + comprehension. Most candidates pick Hindi + English.
Paper I unique (Classes 1-5)
- Mathematics at NCERT Class 1-5 level — place value, four operations, primary geometry, measurement
- Environmental Studies (EVS) — family, food, shelter, water, travel, things we make and do
Paper II unique (Classes 6-8)
- Mathematics & Science elective (60 marks) — algebra, geometry, mensuration, physics/chemistry/biology at NCERT 6-8 level
- OR Social Studies / Social Science elective (60 marks) — medieval & modern Indian history, geography, civics, economics
Salary & Benefits
- Pay Level
- CTET is a qualifying exam. Actual teaching salaries depend on which recruiting authority hires you (KVS/NVS/state govt).
- Basic Pay
- Paper I cleared → Primary Teacher posts: KVS PRT ₹35,400 (Level 6). Paper II cleared → Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) posts: KVS TGT ₹44,900 (Level 7). See per-paper pages for full salary breakdown.
- Gross Salary
- KVS PRT: ~₹56K-65K/mo gross | KVS TGT: ~₹71K-81K/mo gross
- In-Hand Salary
- KVS PRT: ~₹46K-54K/mo | KVS TGT: ~₹58K-68K/mo
- Other Benefits
- Central Govt benefits (CGHS, NPS, LTC), pan-India transferable service for KVS/NVS, 60+ paid holidays + summer/winter vacations.
Important Dates
- Notification Release
- 11 May 2026
- Application Deadline
- 10 June 2026 (correction window 15-18 June 2026)
- Tier 1 Exam
- Both papers on 6 September 2026 — Paper II morning (9:30 AM - 12:00 PM), Paper I afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:30 PM)
- Tier 2 Exam
- Result
- Expected last week of October 2026
Feb 2026 cycle is complete. September 2026 is the upcoming opportunity. Verify exact timings at ctet.nic.in closer to date.
Preparation Strategy
- First decide which paper you're taking BEFORE choosing study material. Paper I and Paper II share CDP + Language sections but diverge significantly in their content papers — picking the wrong paper to prep for wastes 4-6 weeks.
- If you have a Bachelor's degree + B.Ed: Paper II opens TGT (Trained Graduate Teacher) posts with higher salary (₹44,900 basic vs ₹35,400 for PRT). Consider Paper II if your goal is salary.
- If you have 12th + D.El.Ed (or want to teach younger children): Paper I is your path. Primary teaching has its own joys + slightly less academic pressure.
- You can take BOTH papers in the same cycle (₹1,200 combined fee vs ₹600 for one) — opens both PRT and TGT post eligibility once cleared. Recommended if eligible for both.
- See the dedicated Paper I or Paper II pages for paper-specific syllabus, NCERT chapter alignment, and prep tips.
Why Sarkari Rise for CTET
Every CTET platform serves the same NCERT-anchored mock content. The difference is whether the platform adapts to where YOU lose marks. Sarkari Rise generates each mock per-section based on your topic-level proficiency, in either Paper I or Paper II mode. Bilingual paper rendering (English + Hindi), Simpler Hindi toggle for academic Sanskrit-register explanations, AI doubt-solving — every Pro feature works for both papers. Pick your paper, prep adaptively, walk into 6 September 2026 ready.
- Separate mock banks for Paper I and Paper II — pick your paper at start
- Per-section adaptive difficulty in BOTH papers
- Bilingual paper rendering + Simpler Hindi toggle on every explanation
- AI Cutoff-Backwards Planner (Pro+) — 14-week schedule for either paper
- Take both papers? One subscription covers both.
- One subscription. Plan refines every week. 7-day full refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I take CTET Paper I or Paper II?
Paper I is for aspiring PRIMARY teachers (Classes 1-5) — eligibility is 12th + D.El.Ed. Paper II is for aspiring UPPER-PRIMARY teachers (Classes 6-8, often subject-specific) — eligibility is Bachelor's + B.Ed. If you have only 12th + teaching diploma, Paper I is your only option. If you have a graduate degree + B.Ed, you can take either or both. Paper II opens higher-paying TGT posts (₹44,900 basic vs ₹35,400 PRT). Many candidates take BOTH to maximise job options.
Can I take both Paper I and Paper II in the same cycle?
Yes. Both papers are conducted on the same day (6 September 2026) in different sessions — Paper II morning, Paper I afternoon. Application fee is ₹1,200 for both vs ₹600 for one (50% saving). If you're eligible for both, taking both maximises your post eligibility once cleared.
Is there negative marking in CTET?
No — CTET has NO negative marking in either paper. +1 per correct, 0 for wrong/blank. Skip nothing. Even random guesses have positive expected value.
What is the CTET qualifying mark?
CTET is qualifying-only — there is no merit ranking. The standard qualifying threshold is 60% (90 out of 150 marks). Reserved category candidates get a relaxation per CBSE policy. Certificate has lifetime validity since 2021.
Is CTET conducted in Hindi?
Yes — CTET is fully bilingual. Question papers are printed in both Hindi and English. Language I and II sections test pedagogy + comprehension in chosen languages. Hindi-medium aspirants are NOT disadvantaged.
How does Sarkari Rise help with CTET preparation?
Sarkari Rise offers AI-powered CTET preparation with separate adaptive mock banks for Paper I and Paper II, bilingual paper rendering matching the official CBT pattern, Simpler Hindi toggle for academic NCERT register, AI doubt-solving, and the Pro+ Cutoff-Backwards Planner that schedules week-by-week practice from your current proficiency to your target marks before 6 September 2026. Free tier provides 2 mocks per day; Pro at ₹299/month (₹10/day) or ₹1,499/year (₹4/day) unlocks unlimited mocks and personalized weak-area drills.
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Disclaimer: Sarkari Rise is a private exam preparation platform and is not affiliated with the Staff Selection Commission, Government of India, or any official recruitment authority. Always verify official notifications and dates from the respective official websites.