CTET Syllabus 2026: Paper 1 and Paper 2 Complete Subject-Wise Guide with Official PDF Download
CTET Syllabus 2026 has been officially released by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) along with the CTET September 2026 notification on 11 May 2026. The Central Teacher Eligibility Test is scheduled for 6 September 2026 and will be conducted in offline OMR-based mode across exam centres all over India. Candidates preparing for both Paper 1 (Classes 1–5) and Paper 2 (Classes 6–8) must thoroughly understand the updated syllabus, exam pattern, and subject-wise topics before building their preparation strategy.
CTET 2026 — Quick Overview
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Exam Name | Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026 |
Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
Official Website | |
Notification Released | 11 May 2026 |
Syllabus Released | 27 November 2025 |
Exam Date | 6 September 2026 |
Exam Mode | Offline — Pen and Paper / OMR Based |
Number of Papers | 2 (Paper 1 and Paper 2) |
Total Questions per Paper | 150 (All MCQ) |
Total Marks per Paper | 150 |
Duration per Paper | 2 Hours 30 Minutes (150 minutes) |
Negative Marking | None |
What Is CTET? Which Paper Should You Appear For?
CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) is one of the most important teacher eligibility exams in India. It is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for candidates who want to become teachers in central government schools like KVS, NVS, and others. Clearing CTET means you meet the basic eligibility standard to teach Classes I to VIII.
Paper | Who Should Appear | Class Level |
|---|---|---|
Paper 1 | Candidates who want to teach Classes 1 to 5 | Primary Level |
Paper 2 | Candidates who want to teach Classes 6 to 8 | Upper Primary Level |
Both Papers | Candidates who want to be eligible for Classes 1 to 8 | Both Levels |
Important: Candidates can appear for both papers on the same day by paying the requisite fee for each paper. If you want to maximise your career options in central government schools, appearing for both papers is strongly recommended.
CTET 2026 Exam Pattern — Paper 1 (Primary Level, Classes 1–5)
# | Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Child Development & Pedagogy (CDP) | 30 | 30 |
2 | Language I (as per choice) | 30 | 30 |
3 | Language II (different from Language I) | 30 | 30 |
4 | Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
5 | Environmental Studies (EVS) | 30 | 30 |
Total | 150 | 150 |
CTET 2026 Exam Pattern — Paper 2 (Upper Primary Level, Classes 6–8)
# | Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Child Development & Pedagogy (CDP) | 30 | 30 |
2 | Language I (as per choice) | 30 | 30 |
3 | Language II (different from Language I) | 30 | 30 |
4A | Mathematics & Science (for Maths/Science teachers) | 60 | 60 |
4B | Social Studies / Social Science (for SST teachers) | 60 | 60 |
Total | 150 | 150 |
CTET Syllabus 2026 — Paper 1 Complete Subject-Wise Topics
Section 1: Child Development & Pedagogy (CDP) — 30 Marks
Part A — Child Development (Primary School Child): 15 Questions
Topic | Key Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
Concept of Development | Relationship between development and learning; Principles of child development |
Heredity and Environment | Role of heredity and environment in shaping a child |
Socialisation Processes | Social world and children — teachers, parents, and peers |
Piaget, Vygotsky, and Kohlberg | Theories of cognitive and moral development |
Child-Centred and Progressive Education | Concept, principles, and classroom application |
Intelligence | Concept of multi-dimensional intelligence (Gardner); critical perspective |
Gender | Gender as a social construct; gender roles, gender bias, and educational practice |
Individual Differences | Understanding differences based on diversity of language, caste, gender, community, religion |
Assessment | Distinction between Assessment for learning and assessment of learning; CCE; School-Based Assessment |
Critical Thinking | Formulating questions to enhance learning and critical thinking in the classroom |
Part B — Inclusive Education & Children with Special Needs: 5 Questions
Topic | Key Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
Diverse Learners | Addressing the needs of gifted, creative, specially-abled, disadvantaged learners |
Learning Disabilities | Dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD — identification and classroom strategies |
Inclusive Classroom | Strategies for creating an inclusive learning environment |
Part C — Learning and Pedagogy: 10 Questions
Topic | Key Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
How Children Think and Learn | Motivation, learning environment, learning as problem-solving |
Teaching Approaches | Child as a problem solver; alternative conceptions of learning in children |
Cognition and Emotions | Factors affecting learning — attention, perception, memory |
National Curriculum Framework | NCF 2005, NEP 2020 — key guidelines for primary education |
Section 2: Language I — 30 Marks
Part | Topics | Questions |
|---|---|---|
Language Comprehension | Reading unseen passages — one prose/drama passage and one poem; Questions on comprehension, inference, grammar, and verbal ability | 15 |
Pedagogy of Language Development | Learning and acquisition; Principles of language teaching; Role of listening and speaking; Role of grammar in learning a language; Challenges of teaching language in a diverse classroom; Language difficulties, errors, and disorders; Language skills (LSRW); Teaching-learning materials; Remedial Teaching | 15 |
Section 3: Language II — 30 Marks
Part | Topics | Questions |
|---|---|---|
Comprehension | Two unseen prose passages (discursive, literary, narrative, or scientific); Questions on comprehension, grammar accuracy, and verbal ability | 15 |
Pedagogy of Language Development | Language acquisition and learning; Approaches and methods of teaching; Role of listening, speaking, reading, writing; Communicative language teaching; Evaluation of language proficiency | 15 |
Section 4: Mathematics — 30 Marks
Part | Topics | Questions |
|---|---|---|
Content (20 Questions) | Geometry (shapes, spatial understanding), Shapes and Spatial Understanding, Numbers, Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Measurement (Length, Weight, Capacity, Time, Area), Data Handling, Patterns, Money | 20 |
Pedagogical Issues (10 Questions) | Nature of Mathematics / Logical Thinking; Place of Mathematics in Curriculum; Language of Mathematics; Community Mathematics; Evaluation through Formal and Informal Methods; Problems of Teaching Mathematics; Error Analysis and Remedial Teaching; Diagnostic and Remedial Teaching | 10 |
Section 5: Environmental Studies (EVS) — 30 Marks
Part | Topics | Questions |
|---|---|---|
Content (20 Questions) | Family and Friends — Relationships, Work and Play, Animals, Plants; Food — sources, types, nutrition; Shelter — types of houses, construction; Water — sources, conservation; Travel — modes, safety; Things We Make and Do — tools, games, art and craft | 20 |
Pedagogical Issues (10 Questions) | Concept and Scope of EVS; Significance of EVS; Integrated EVS; Environmental Studies and Environmental Education; Learning Principles; Activities, Experimentation, and Practical Work; Discussion; Comprehensive and Continuous Evaluation (CCE); Teaching Materials and Aids | 10 |
CTET Syllabus 2026 — Paper 2 Complete Subject-Wise Topics
Section 1: Child Development & Pedagogy (CDP) — 30 Marks
Sub-Section | Key Topics | Questions |
|---|---|---|
Child Development | Adolescent development; Piaget's formal operational stage; Vygotsky's ZPD; Kohlberg's moral reasoning; Individual differences; Gender and socialization | 15 |
Inclusive Education | Gifted and creative children; Learning disabilities; CWSN strategies; Inclusive classroom environment | 5 |
Learning & Pedagogy | Motivation in adolescents; Critical thinking development; Teaching strategies for abstract concepts; Assessment of learning; NEP 2020 and NCF guidelines | 10 |
Section 2 & 3: Language I and Language II — 30 Marks Each
The Language I and Language II syllabus and structure for Paper 2 is identical to Paper 1, with one difference: the questions are set at a slightly higher level of language proficiency appropriate to the upper primary stage (Classes 6–8).
Both sections are divided into:
Comprehension (15 Questions): Unseen passages with grammar and inference-based questions
Pedagogy of Language Development (15 Questions): Language acquisition, teaching methods, diversity in classrooms, LSRW skills, remedial teaching
Section 4A: Mathematics & Science — 60 Marks (for Maths/Science Teachers)
Mathematics (30 Questions — Content 20 + Pedagogy 10)
Topic | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
Number System | Knowing our numbers, playing with numbers, whole numbers, negative numbers and integers, fractions |
Algebra | Introduction to algebra, ratio and proportion, simple linear equations |
Geometry | Basic geometrical ideas, understanding elementary shapes, symmetry, construction, mensuration |
Mensuration | Area, perimeter, surface area, volume of 2D and 3D figures |
Data Handling | Data collection, representation — bar graphs, pie charts, mean, median, mode |
Pedagogical Issues | Nature of mathematics / logical thinking; place of mathematics in curriculum; language of mathematics; problem-solving; error analysis; remedial teaching; evaluation methods |
Science (30 Questions — Content 24 + Pedagogy 6)
Topic | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
Food | Sources of food, components of food, cleaning food |
Materials | Materials of daily use — properties and uses; fibres to fabric; metals and non-metals |
The World of the Living | Cell structure and function; reproduction in plants and animals; microorganisms; body movements; living organisms and their surroundings |
Moving Things, People and Ideas | Force and pressure; friction; sound; electricity and electric circuits; light |
How Things Work | Electric current and circuits; magnets |
Natural Phenomena | Earthquakes; light — reflection and refraction; weather, climate, and water cycle |
Natural Resources | Air, water; coal and petroleum; conservation of natural resources; pollution |
Pedagogical Issues | Nature and structure of sciences; natural science / aims and objectives; understanding and appreciation; approaches / integrated approach; observation, experiment, discovery; innovation; text material; evaluation; problems; remedial teaching |
Section 4B: Social Studies / Social Science — 60 Marks (for SST Teachers)
History (Topics from NCERT Class 6–8)
Topic Area | Key Chapters / Events |
|---|---|
When, Where and How | Sources of history; timelines and chronology |
The Earliest Societies | Hunters and gatherers; the first farmers and herders |
The First Cities | Indus Valley Civilisation |
Early States | Janapadas, Mahajanapadas; the Mauryan Empire |
New Ideas | Jainism and Buddhism; Ashoka's dhamma |
The First Empire | Gupta period; science and art under the Guptas |
Contacts with Distant Lands | Silk Route; Kushana Empire; trade with Rome |
Political Developments | Vardhana Dynasty; South Indian Kingdoms |
Culture and Science | Medieval art, literature, and science |
New Kings and Kingdoms | Cholas; Rajputs |
Sultans of Delhi | Delhi Sultanate — major rulers and administration |
Architecture | Temple architecture; mosques and minarets |
The Mughal Empire | Akbar, Aurangzeb; Mughal administration and culture |
Social Change | Medieval society; caste, gender, and religion |
Regional Cultures | Bhakti and Sufi movements |
The Establishment of Company Power | East India Company; Battle of Plassey |
Rural Life and Society | Land revenue system; Zamindari |
Colonialism and Tribal Societies | Tribal uprisings; impact of British rule |
The Revolt of 1857 | Causes, events, outcomes |
Women and Reform | 19th-century social reform movements |
The Nationalist Movement | Indian independence movement — key events and leaders |
India After Independence | Partition; Constitution; early years of independent India |
Geography (Topics from NCERT Class 6–8)
Topic Area | Key Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
The Earth | Interior of the earth; rocks; major relief features |
Globe | Latitudes, longitudes, time zones |
Environment | Natural and human environment; components and interaction |
Air | Composition, weather and climate, atmospheric pressure |
Water | Hydrological cycle, ocean currents, freshwater resources |
Natural Vegetation and Wildlife | Types of vegetation; biodiversity; conservation |
Human Environment — Settlement | Rural and urban settlements; life in cold and hot deserts |
Agriculture | Types of farming; major crops; agricultural development |
Industries | Types of industries; industrial regions; impact |
Transport and Communication | Modes of transport; communication networks |
Resources | Types; sustainable development |
Social and Political Life / Civics (Topics from NCERT Class 6–8)
Topic Area | Key Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
Democracy | What is democracy; features of Indian democracy |
Government | Central, State, and Local Government; Panchayati Raj |
Parliament | Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha; functions of Parliament |
The Judiciary | Courts; role of judiciary; Fundamental Rights |
Social Justice | Poverty, inequality; constitutional provisions |
Media | Role of media; free press; media and democracy |
Gender | Gender discrimination; women's rights |
Marginalisation | Dalits, minorities, tribals — issues and rights |
Constitution | Making of the constitution; key provisions |
Pedagogical Issues for Social Studies (6–8 Questions)
Pedagogical issues include concept and nature of Social Science/Social Studies, classroom processes, activities and discourse, developing critical thinking, enquiry/empirical evidence.
CLICK HERE TO DAWNLOAD FULL SYLLABUS - Dawnload PDF
Available Languages for Language I and Language II
Language | Code No. | Language | Code No. | Language | Code No. | Language | Code No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
English | 01 | Khasi | 08 | Punjabi | 15 | Dogri | 22 |
Hindi | 02 | Malayalam | 09 | Sanskrit | 16 | Kashmiri | 23 |
Assamese | 03 | Manipuri | 10 | Tamil | 17 | Konkani | 24 |
Bengali | 04 | Marathi | 11 | Telugu | 18 | Maithili | 25 |
Garo | 05 | Mizo | 12 | Tibetan | 19 | Santhali | 26 |
Gujarati | 06 | Nepali | 13 | Urdu | 20 | Sindhi | 27 |
Kannada | 07 | Odia | 14 | Bodo | 21 |
CTET Paper 1 vs Paper 2 — Full Comparison
Parameter | Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
|---|---|---|
Teaching Level | Classes 1 to 5 | Classes 6 to 8 |
Total Sections | 5 | 4 (with subject stream choice) |
CDP | 30 Marks | 30 Marks (deeper conceptual level) |
Language I | 30 Marks | 30 Marks |
Language II | 30 Marks | 30 Marks |
Academic Subject | Mathematics (30) + EVS (30) | Maths & Science (60) OR Social Studies (60) |
NCERT Base | Class 1–5 | Class 6–8 (some topics at higher level) |
Question Difficulty | Class 8 level | Class 12 level (Maths/Science stream) |
Subject Stream Choice | Not applicable | Must choose either Maths+Science or SST |
Common Section | CDP | CDP |
CTET 2026 Qualifying Marks
Category | Minimum Marks | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
General / Unreserved | 90 out of 150 | 60% |
SC / ST / OBC / PwD | 83 out of 150 | ~55% |
CTET Certificate Validity 2026
As per the latest NCTE guidelines, the CTET certificate is valid for a lifetime. This is a major advantage over state-level TETs like UPTET, whose certificates are valid for only 5 years. Once you clear CTET, you remain eligible to apply for central government teaching posts permanently.
How to Download the Official CTET Syllabus 2026 PDF
Follow these steps to download the official syllabus from CBSE:
Visit the official CTET website — ctet.nic.in
Click on the "Notification" or "Latest Updates" section on the homepage
Look for the "CTET September 2026 Information Bulletin / Notification" link
Click to open the PDF
Navigate to the "Syllabus and Exam Pattern" section inside the bulletin
Download and save the PDF for offline preparation reference
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