Review the comprehensive AP TET Eligibility Criteria 2026, including essential qualification requirements and age limits, prior to completing your online AP TET application form.
Overview of AP TET Eligibility Criteria
The Commissioner of School Education, Andhra Pradesh (CSEAP) is organizing the AP Teacher Eligibility Test (APTET) 2026 at designated centers across multiple districts in Andhra Pradesh, as well as in key cities such as Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, and Odisha. The examination will be conducted online as a Computer-Based Test (CBT). The official notification has announced the finalized exam dates for AP TET 2026.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the Examination | Andhra Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test (APTET) |
| Exam Conducting Body | Commissioner of School Education Andhra Pradesh (CSEAP) |
| Level of Exam | State Level – Andhra Pradesh |
| Total Question | 150 |
| Total Marks | 150 |
| Total Time | 2 hr 30 min |
| Medium of Instruction | Language I: Telugu, Urdu, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, and Odiya (Anyone), and Language II – English |
| APTET Exam Mode | Online |
| APTET Official Website | https://tet2dsc.apcfss.in/ |
| Official Eligibility Notice | Click Here |
Andhra Pradesh TET Eligibility Criteria Explained
The application window for the Andhra Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test (APTET) June 2026 cycle is now open on the official web portal. Aspiring candidates are strongly advised to thoroughly review the detailed AP TET eligibility guidelines before completing their registration. The AP TET exam serves as a qualifying test for both regular schools and special schools. For regular institutions, candidates can apply to teach Classes I to V and Classes VI to VIII. Similarly, special school aspirants can seek eligibility for Classes I to V and Classes VI to VIII.
AP TET Eligibility Criteria for Regular Schools
Candidates planning to teach in government, aided, or private regular schools across Andhra Pradesh must satisfy the eligibility norms established by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). The academic requirements vary between Paper 1A (intended for Classes I to V) and Paper 2A (intended for Classes VI to VIII). The complete educational qualifications for AP TET 2026 Papers I & II are outlined below for quick reference:
| Paper | Classes | Category | Qualification | Minimum Marks Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1A | I to V | General (OC/EWS) | Intermediate/Senior Secondary + 2-year D.El.Ed (after 2011) | 50% in Intermediate |
| Paper 1A | I to V | SC/ST/BC/PwBD | Intermediate/Senior Secondary + 2-year D.El.Ed (after 2011) | 45% in Intermediate |
| Paper 1A | I to V | General (OC/EWS) | Intermediate/Senior Secondary + 4-year B.El.Ed (after 2011) | 50% in Intermediate |
| Paper 1A | I to V | SC/ST/BC/PwBD | Intermediate/Senior Secondary + 4-year B.El.Ed (after 2011) | 45% in Intermediate |
| Paper 1A | I to V | General (OC/EWS) | Intermediate/Senior Secondary + 2-year Diploma in Education Special Education (after 2011) | 50% in Intermediate |
| Paper 1A | I to V | SC/ST/BC/PwBD | Intermediate/Senior Secondary + 2-year Diploma in Education Special Education (after 2011) | 45% in Intermediate |
| Paper 1A | I to V | General (OC/EWS) | Intermediate/Senior Secondary + 2-year D.El.Ed (before 2011) | 45% in Intermediate |
| Paper 1A | I to V | SC/ST/BC/PwBD | Intermediate/Senior Secondary + 2-year D.El.Ed (before 2011) | 40% in Intermediate |
| Paper 2A | VI to VIII | General (OC/EWS) | Graduation + B.Ed from NCTE recognized university (after 2011) | 50% in Graduation |
| Paper 2A | VI to VIII | SC/ST/BC/PwBD | Graduation + B.Ed from NCTE recognized university (after 2011) | 45% in Graduation |
| Paper 2A | VI to VIII | General (OC/EWS) | 4-year B.El.Ed from recognized university (after 2011) | 50% in B.El.Ed |
| Paper 2A | VI to VIII | SC/ST/BC/PwBD | 4-year B.El.Ed from recognized university (after 2011) | 45% in B.El.Ed |
| Paper 2A | VI to VIII | General (OC/EWS) | 4-year integrated B.A.Ed / B.Sc.Ed (after 2011) | 50% in the integrated course |
| Paper 2A | VI to VIII | SC/ST/BC/PwBD | 4-year integrated B.A.Ed / B.Sc.Ed (after 2011) | 45% in the integrated course |
| Paper 2A | VI to VIII | General (OC/EWS) | Graduation + 1-year B.Ed Special Education (after 2011) | 50% in Graduation |
| Paper 2A | VI to VIII | SC/ST/BC/PwBD | Graduation + 1-year B.Ed Special Education (after 2011) | 45% in Graduation |
| Paper 2A | VI to VIII | General (OC/EWS) | Post Graduation + 3-year integrated B.Ed–M.Ed (after 2011) | 55% in Post Graduation |
| Paper 2A | VI to VIII | SC/ST/BC/PwBD | Post Graduation + 3-year integrated B.Ed–M.Ed (after 2011) | 50% in Post Graduation |
| Paper 2A | VI to VIII | General (OC/EWS) | Graduation + 1-year B.Ed (before 2011) | 45% in Graduation |
| Paper 2A | VI to VIII | SC/ST/BC/PwBD | Graduation + 1-year B.Ed (before 2011) | 40% in Graduation |
| Paper 2A (Language Teachers) | VI to VIII | General (OC/EWS) | Graduation with Language as optional subject / B.O.L / Graduation in Literature / PG in Language + B.Ed or Language Pandit Training Certificate (after 2011) | 50% in Graduation |
| Paper 2A (Language Teachers) | VI to VIII | SC/ST/BC/PwBD | Graduation with Language as optional subject / B.O.L / Graduation in Literature / PG in Language + B.Ed or Language Pandit Training Certificate (after 2011) | 45% in Graduation |
| Paper 2A (Language Teachers) | VI to VIII | General (OC/EWS) | Graduation / Post Graduation + 1-year B.Ed (before 2011) | 45% in Graduation/PG |
| Paper 2A (Language Teachers) | VI to VIII | SC/ST/BC/PwBD | Graduation / Post Graduation + 1-year B.Ed (before 2011) | 40% in Graduation/PG |
Important Note: Only professional teaching degrees and diplomas recognized by the NCTE are valid for Paper 1A and Paper 2A. Undergrad and postgrad degrees must be obtained from a UGC-recognized university, and the Intermediate board qualification must be issued by the Board of Intermediate Education (BIE), Andhra Pradesh, or its equivalent.
AP TET Eligibility 2026 for Special Schools
Candidates aspiring to join special education schools in Andhra Pradesh must meet the rigorous criteria laid down by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). Eligibility pathways differ for Paper 1B (Special Schools: Classes I to V) and Paper 2B (Special Schools: Classes VI to VIII). Below are the essential academic and professional certifications required for APTET Paper I & II Part B candidates:
| Paper | Classes | Qualifying Qualification | Minimum Marks Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1B | I to V (Special Schools) | Intermediate/Senior Secondary + 2-year D.Ed. Special Education in any category of disability | 50% in Intermediate (45% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) |
| Paper 1B | I to V (Special Schools) | 1-year Diploma in Special Education (DSE) in any category of disability | As per RCI norms |
| Paper 1B | I to V (Special Schools) | Diploma in Community Based Rehabilitation (DCBR) + 6-month Certificate Course in Education of Children with Special Needs (CwSN) | As per RCI norms |
| Paper 1B | I to V (Special Schools) | Post Graduate Diploma in Community Based Rehabilitation (PGDCBR) + 6-month CwSN Certificate Course | As per RCI norms |
| Paper 1B | I to V (Special Schools) | Diploma in Multi Rehabilitation Worker (MRW) + 6-month CwSN Certificate Course | As per RCI norms |
| Paper 1B | I to V (Special Schools) | Junior Diploma in Teaching the Deaf | As per RCI norms |
| Paper 1B | I to V (Special Schools) | Primary Level Teacher Training Course in Visual Impairment | As per RCI norms |
| Paper 1B | I to V (Special Schools) | DVR-MR / DVTE-MR + 6-month CwSN Certificate Course | As per RCI norms |
| Paper 1B | I to V (Special Schools) | Diploma in Hearing Language and Speech (DHLS) + 6-month CwSN Certificate Course | As per RCI norms |
| Paper 1B | I to V (Special Schools) | Intermediate/Senior Secondary + any RCI recognized qualification of minimum 1-year duration + 6-month CwSN Certificate Course | As per RCI norms |
| Paper 1B | I to V (Special Schools) | Any other equivalent qualification approved by RCI | As per RCI norms |
| Paper 2B | VI to VIII (Special Schools) | Graduation or Post Graduation + B.Ed Special Education | 50% in Graduation/PG (45% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) |
| Paper 2B | VI to VIII (Special Schools) | Graduation or Post Graduation + B.Ed General + 1-year Diploma in Special Education | 50% in Graduation/PG (45% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) |
| Paper 2B | VI to VIII (Special Schools) | Graduation or Post Graduation + B.Ed General + 2-year Diploma in Special Education | 50% in Graduation/PG (45% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) |
| Paper 2B | VI to VIII (Special Schools) | Graduation or Post Graduation + B.Ed General + Post Graduate Professional Diploma in Special Education (PGPD) | 50% in Graduation/PG (45% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) |
| Paper 2B | VI to VIII (Special Schools) | B.Ed Special Education + Post Graduate Professional Certificate in Special Education (PGPC) | 50% in Graduation/PG (45% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) |
| Paper 2B | VI to VIII (Special Schools) | PG Diploma in Special Education (Mental Retardation) | 50% in Graduation/PG (45% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) |
| Paper 2B | VI to VIII (Special Schools) | PG Diploma in Special Education (Multiple Disability: Physical and Neurological) | 50% in Graduation/PG (45% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) |
| Paper 2B | VI to VIII (Special Schools) | PG Diploma in Special Education (Locomotor Impairment and Cerebral Palsy) | 50% in Graduation/PG (45% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) |
| Paper 2B | VI to VIII (Special Schools) | Secondary Level Teacher Training Course in Visual Impairment | 50% in Graduation/PG (45% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) |
| Paper 2B | VI to VIII (Special Schools) | Senior Diploma in Teaching the Deaf | 50% in Graduation/PG (45% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) |
| Paper 2B | VI to VIII (Special Schools) | B.A. B.Ed in Visual Impairment | 50% in Graduation/PG (45% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) |
| Paper 2B | VI to VIII (Special Schools) | Any other equivalent qualification approved by RCI | 50% in Graduation/PG (45% for SC/ST/BC/PwBD) |
Key Highlight: For Paper 1B and Paper 2B, only specialized qualifications certified by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) will be accepted. However, in-service teachers actively employed in government and private-aided special institutions are exempted from these standard parameters, in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment in Civil Appeal No. 1385/2025.
AP TET Eligibility for Language Teachers
To qualify as a language teacher, applicants must have completed their undergraduate studies with the specific language as one of their optional subjects. Alternatively, they can hold a Bachelor’s degree in Oriental Language (or its equivalent) or graduation in Literature. Candidates possessing a Postgraduate degree in the relevant language, coupled with a Language Pandit Training Certificate or a B.Ed specializing in that language methodology, are also fully eligible.
AP TET Age Limit Rules
To be eligible for the AP TET 2026 exam, candidates must have reached a minimum age of 18 years. According to the official AP TET 2026 eligibility norms, there is no maximum age limit, enabling candidates of all ages who meet the academic qualifications to register and appear for the examination.
AP TET Eligibility 2026: FAQs
Which official authority conducts the AP TET exam?
The AP TET exam is organized and conducted by the Commissioner of School Education, Andhra Pradesh (CSEAP).
What is the validity period of the AP TET certificate?
The AP TET qualifying certificate features a lifetime validity period, allowing candidates to utilize their scores indefinitely for employment purposes.