The system of CTET was introduced in the year 2011. The exam consists of two papers, Paper 1 for candidates aspiring to teach classes 1-5 and Paper 2 for the candidates who are interested in teaching classes 6-8. It is to be noted that the candidates interested in teaching classes 6-8 are required to clear both the papers in order to be eligible for the desired appointment. Both the papers (1 and 2) account for 150 marks. The exam is conducted twice a year and the exam is conducted online in a format referred to as CBT(Computer Based Test). The exam fee varies according to the caste categories. A person belonging to the general or OBC (Other Backward Classes) category has to pay INR 1000 while people belonging to SC (Scheduled Castes) /ST (Scheduled Tribes) / PwD (Person with Disabilities) have to pay INR 500 as the exam fee. The total duration of the CTET exam is 2.5 hours. The total number of questions in each paper (1 and 2) is 150 which are of MCQ format. The languages available for CTET are English and Hindi.
Eligibility
The minimum educational qualifications have been laid out for an individual to become a teacher for classes 1-5 as well as for 6-8.
The person has to be a citizen of India and should be of a minimum of 18 years of age.
In order to appear for the Paper 1 of CTET (primary teachers), a person has to meet any one of the following eligibility criteria as per the minimum educational qualifications:
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Passed senior secondary(or its equivalent) with at least 50 per cent marks and passed or appeared in the final year of the two-year Diploma in Elementary Education(D.Ed.)
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Passed senior secondary(or equivalent) with at least 45 per cent marks and passed or appeared in the final year of the two-year Diploma(D.Ed.) in Elementary Education in line with the guidelines mentioned in NCTE, Regulations,2002
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Has completed senior secondary education (or its equivalent) with at least 50 per cent marks and passed or appeared in the final year of four-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.Ed)
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Passed senior secondary (or it’s equivalent) with at least 50 per cent marks and passed or appeared in the final year of the two-year Diploma in Special Education
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Graduated in any stream with at least 50 per cent marks and a B.Ed. degree
In order to appear for Paper 2 (Elementary Teachers) of the CTET exam, a person has to meet any one of the following eligibility criteria as per the minimum educational qualifications:
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Graduated and passed or appeared in the final year of two-year Diploma in Elementary Education(D.Ed)
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Graduated with at least 50 per cent marks and passed/appearing in one-year B.Ed. course
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Graduated with at least 45 per cent marks and passed/appearing in one year B.Ed. course in line with the rules and guidelines of NCTE
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Received at least 50 per cent marks in the senior secondary exams and passed/appeared in the final year of four-year B.EI.Ed
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Received at least 50 per cent marks in the senior secondary exams and passed/appeared in the final year of the four-year BA/BSc.Ed or BA.Ed/BSc.Ed
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Graduated with at least 50 per cent marks and passed/appearing in one-ear BEd in Special Education
If a candidate belongs to SC/ST/OBC/PwD category, a relaxation of 5 per cent marks is to be provided in the qualifying marks required in the CTET examination.
The following are some important points with regards to eligibility in CTET:
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The diploma/degree in teacher education pursued by the candidate should be recognised by the NCTE
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In cases pertaining to Diploma in Education(Special Education) and B.Ed.(Special Education), only a teacher education course as recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India shall be liable for consideration
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A candidate with Diploma in Special Education, after appointment, has to necessarily undergo an NCTE recognised six-month Special Programme in Elementary Education
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The applicants for physical education are appointed in accordance with the regulations and norms of NCTE
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The teachers for Art/Craft Education, Home Science, Work Education shall be chosen according to the norms of the school management and state governments until a special set of regulations and norms are laid down by the NCTE
Syllabus and Exam Pattern
The syllabus and exam pattern for the CTET Paper 1 is as follows:
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Child Development and Pedagogy(30 questions)
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Child Development (Primary School)-15 questions
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Concept of inclusive education and understanding children with special needs-5 questions
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Learning and pedagogy-5 questions
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Language I (30 questions)
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Comprehension-15 questions
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Pedagogy of Language Development-15 questions
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Language II(30 questions)
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Comprehension-15 questions
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Pedagogy of Language Development-15 questions
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Mathematics(30 questions)
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Content-15 questions
Geometry
Shapes and Spatial Understanding
Solids around us
Numbers
Addition, Subtraction
Multiplication
Division
Measurement
Weight
Time
Volume
Data Handling
Patterns
Money
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Pedagogical issues-15 questions
5. Environmental Studies(30 questions)
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Content-15 questions
Family and Friends
Food
Shelter
Water
Travel
Things we make and do
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Pedagogical issues-15 questions
The syllabus and exam pattern for CTET Paper 2 is as follows:
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Child Development and Pedagogy(30 questions):
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Child Development (Elementary School)-15 questions
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Concept of inclusive education and understanding children with special needs-5 questions
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Learning and pedagogy-10 questions
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Language I(30 questions):
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Language Comprehension-15 questions
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Pedagogy of Language Development-15 questions
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Mathematics and Science (60 questions)
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Mathematics-30 questions
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Content-20 questions
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Pedagogical issues-10 questions
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Science-30 questions
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Content-20 questions
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Pedagogical issues-15 question
4. Social Studies/Science (60 questions)
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Content-40 questions
History
Geography
Social and Political Life
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Pedagogical Issues-20 questions
Conclusion
Often abbreviated as CTET, the central teacher eligibility test is the examination for the aspiring teachers who are looking to teach the students of classes 1-8. The article focuses on the relevant information required to be eligible for appearing in the CTET examination.