🗓️Last Updated: June 2026

Teacher Jobs 2026: CTET, TET, KVS — Eligibility, Application & Exam Guide

Government teacher jobs in India require qualifying the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) or State TET for primary and upper-primary levels. KVS (Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan) and NVS (Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti) conduct separate direct recruitment exams for teachers. This guide covers CTET, major State TETs, and direct recruitment by KVS and NVS.

🔗CTET — ctet.nic.in — Official Portal →

📋 Overview

Teaching in government schools requires candidates to clear a Teacher Eligibility Test (TET). The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts the CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) twice a year for central government schools. Each state also conducts its own State TET for appointments in state government schools. KVS recruits PRT (Primary Teacher), TGT (Trained Graduate Teacher), and PGT (Post Graduate Teacher) through a separate written exam and interview. NVS similarly recruits for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas. A TET certificate is valid for a lifetime (made permanent since 2021). Qualifying TET is only an eligibility condition — it does not guarantee a job; vacancies are filled through separate recruitment processes.

✅ Eligibility

  • ✓CTET Paper-I (Class I–V): Minimum 50% marks in Senior Secondary (Class XII) and passed or appearing in 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) / B.El.Ed / B.Ed (Special Education) / or 4-year B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed.
  • ✓CTET Paper-II (Class VI–VIII): Bachelor's degree with minimum 50% marks AND passed or appearing in B.Ed (2 year) from a recognised university. Candidates with B.El.Ed/4-year B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed also eligible.
  • ✓KVS PRT (Primary Teacher): Senior Secondary with 50% marks + D.El.Ed or B.El.Ed; and CTET Paper-I qualified.
  • ✓KVS TGT: Bachelor's degree in relevant subject with 50% marks + B.Ed; and CTET Paper-II qualified.
  • ✓KVS PGT (Post Graduate Teacher): Post Graduate degree in relevant subject with 50% marks + B.Ed. No TET required for PGT.
  • ✓NVS TGT/PGT: Similar to KVS with B.Ed qualification required. Age limit generally 35 years (relaxation for reserved categories).
  • ✓State TET eligibility varies by state but broadly follows NCTE norms similar to CTET. Check respective state's TET notification.
  • ✓Age limit: Generally 18–35 years for most teacher recruitment. Relaxation for OBC (3 years), SC/ST (5 years), PwBD (10 years).

📁 Documents Required

▸CTET / State TET Admit Card for the exam
▸Valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar / Passport / PAN / Voter ID)
▸Class X and XII marksheets and certificates
▸Graduation/Post-Graduation degree marksheets
▸B.Ed / D.El.Ed / B.El.Ed degree certificate and marksheets
▸CTET/TET pass certificate (for KVS/NVS/State recruitment applications)
▸Category certificate — OBC/SC/ST/EWS issued by competent authority
▸Experience certificate (if applying for senior positions)
▸Recent passport-size photographs
▸Birth certificate / Age proof

💰Fees & Processing Time

Fee
CTET 2026: Single paper — General/OBC: ₹1000, SC/ST/Diff-Abled: ₹500. Both papers — General/OBC: ₹1200, SC/ST/Diff-Abled: ₹600. KVS application fee: PGT/TGT/PRT — ₹1500 for General/OBC; SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen: nil. State TET fees vary by state (₹400–₹1000 range).
Processing Time
CTET is conducted twice a year (usually July and December). Result declared within 6–8 weeks of exam. CTET certificate is now valid for lifetime. KVS recruitment cycle typically takes 6–9 months from notification to joining. State TET and state teacher recruitment vary considerably.

🖥️ How to Apply Online

  1. 1For CTET: Visit ctet.nic.in → Click 'Apply Online' when notification is active → Register with email and mobile → Fill the application form with personal and educational details.
  2. 2Upload scanned passport photo (10–100 KB) and signature (3–30 KB) in JPG format as per CTET specifications.
  3. 3Pay CTET fee online via Debit/Credit Card or Net Banking through the payment gateway on the portal.
  4. 4Submit the application and note your Application Number. Download and print the confirmation page.
  5. 5Admit card will be available on ctet.nic.in approximately 2–3 weeks before the exam date.
  6. 6For KVS recruitment: visit kvsangathan.nic.in → Recruitment section → Apply online for the relevant post (PRT/TGT/PGT) when notification is released.
  7. 7For NVS recruitment: visit navodaya.gov.in → Recruitment → Apply online with required documents.
  8. 8For State TET: visit respective state's exam board portal (e.g., Maharashtra: mahatet.in, UP: updeled.gov.in, Tamil Nadu: trb.tn.gov.in).

🏢 How to Apply Offline

  1. 1CTET, KVS, and NVS applications are available online only — there is no offline application mode.
  2. 2For State TETs: some states may still accept applications through post or offline challan payment — check respective state exam authority notification.
  3. 3After qualifying CTET/TET, applications for state government teaching posts are made to District Education Offices or State Education Departments when vacancies are announced.
  4. 4For KVS walk-in or direct recruitment (for certain contractual posts), visit the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya Commissioner's office.
  5. 5Helpdesk: For CTET queries, visit CBSE headquarters — Plot No.2, Community Centre, Preet Vihar, New Delhi-110092 or call 011-22240112.

⚠️Common Problems & Solutions

✗CTET application form not submitting / payment failed
→Ensure your browser is updated (use Chrome or Firefox). Clear cache and cookies before applying. For payment failure, wait 48 hours — amount usually reverses. Re-attempt payment. Contact CBSE helpline (011-22240112) with your application number and transaction details if the amount is deducted but form status shows unpaid.
✗Uploaded photo/signature rejected in CTET form
→Photo must be recent, clear, and in JPG format between 10–100 KB. Signature must be in JPG format between 3–30 KB. Use an image compression tool if the file size is too large. Ensure no text, borders, or white background issues. CTET allows corrections during the correction window after form submission.
✗B.Ed from distance education — is it valid for CTET/TET?
→Only B.Ed from NCTE-recognised universities/institutions is valid. Distance education B.Ed is only valid if the institution is specifically approved by NCTE for distance mode. Check NCTE's list of recognised institutions at ncte.gov.in. Many distance B.Ed courses are not NCTE-recognised — verify before applying.
✗CTET certificate validity and renewal queries
→Since 2021, CTET certificates are valid for lifetime (previously 7 years). There is no renewal required. Candidates who passed earlier can use their old certificates for recruitment. If you lost your certificate, apply for duplicate on ctet.nic.in by logging in with your roll number.
✗Qualified CTET but not getting government teacher job
→CTET is only an eligibility qualification — it does not guarantee appointment. Jobs are filled through separate state/central government vacancy announcements. Keep checking NCS portal (ncs.gov.in), Rozgar Samachar, and respective state education department websites for teacher vacancy notifications.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q.What is the difference between CTET Paper-I and Paper-II?

CTET Paper-I is for teachers of Classes I to V (Primary level). Paper-II is for teachers of Classes VI to VIII (Upper Primary/Middle level). Those who want to teach Classes I to VIII must qualify both papers. Paper-I has Child Development & Pedagogy, Language-I, Language-II, Mathematics, and Environmental Studies. Paper-II has Child Development, Language-I, Language-II, and either Mathematics & Science or Social Studies.

Q.What is the passing marks/cut-off for CTET?

Minimum passing marks: General category — 60% (90 out of 150 marks). SC/ST/OBC/PwBD — 55% (82.5 marks, rounded up to 83). There is no negative marking in CTET. Each paper has 150 questions for 150 marks, duration 2.5 hours.

Q.Can I appear in CTET without B.Ed?

Yes, candidates appearing in the final year of B.Ed / D.El.Ed are eligible to appear in CTET. You must produce the B.Ed/D.El.Ed degree at the time of actual appointment. However, for KVS and most state recruitments, you must have completed the degree by the application closing date.

Q.What are the major State TET portals in India?

Key State TET portals: Maharashtra MAHATET — mahatet.in; Uttar Pradesh UPTET — updeled.gov.in; Tamil Nadu TRB TET — trb.tn.gov.in; Karnataka KARTET — schooleducation.kar.nic.in; Rajasthan RTET — rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in; West Bengal TET — wbbpe.org; Bihar BTET — biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in. Check your state education board's official website.

Q.How many vacancies does KVS release per year?

KVS typically announces 5,000–15,000 vacancies across PRT, TGT, and PGT posts depending on the year. PRT (Primary) posts are usually the largest group. KVS has over 1,250 schools across India and abroad. Check kvsangathan.nic.in for current recruitment notifications.

Q.What is the KVS selection process for TGT/PGT?

KVS selection has 3 stages: Written Examination (Objective, 180 marks), Demo Lesson, and Interview. For PGT: 150-mark written test + 30-mark interview. For TGT: 150-mark written test + 30-mark interview. For PRT: 180-mark written test. Written test covers General Knowledge, English, Hindi, Reasoning, and subject knowledge. Minimum qualifying marks: 40% (General), 35% (OBC/SC/ST/PwBD).

Q.Is there an age limit for CTET? Can experienced teachers re-appear?

There is NO age limit for appearing in CTET. Anyone who meets the educational qualification can apply at any age. Experienced teachers can also re-appear to improve their score, though CTET is now lifetime valid, so retaking is optional. You can hold multiple valid CTET certificates — the best score is considered.

Q.What is the salary of KVS PGT, TGT, and PRT teachers?

KVS salary as per 7th Pay Commission: PGT — Pay Level 8, basic ₹47,600 (gross ~₹70,000+). TGT — Pay Level 7, basic ₹44,900 (gross ~₹65,000+). PRT — Pay Level 6, basic ₹35,400 (gross ~₹50,000+). Includes DA, HRA, and other allowances. NVS salaries are similar. State government teacher salaries vary by state.

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