CTET Exam Pattern 2026: Detailed Paper 1 & 2 Marking Scheme & Syllabus
Access the comprehensive CTET Exam Pattern 2026 for Paper 1 & Paper 2 in this guide. Discover the latest syllabus, marking distribution, and expert insights to streamline your preparation.
CTET Exam Pattern 2026
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a premier national-level examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to establish teaching standards across India. CTET Paper 1 is designed for educators aspiring to teach Classes 1 to 5, while Paper 2 is mandatory for those aiming to teach Classes 6 to 8. Candidates seeking a comprehensive teaching career for Classes 1 to 8 must qualify for both papers. Successfully clearing the CTET is a prerequisite for securing teaching positions in prestigious institutions like Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and other Union Government-managed schools.
CTET Exam Pattern 2026: How to check?
The official CTET Exam Pattern 2026 is published alongside the official notification. Follow the simplified steps below to download the latest exam pattern directly from the source.
Step 1: Visit the official CTET website.
Step 2: Navigate to the 'Information' section on the homepage and click to expand.
Step 3: Select and click the 'Information Bulletin' link.
Step 4: This will open the detailed notification PDF for the CTET 2026 exam.
Step 5: Refer to the examination section of the PDF to review the official CTET Exam Pattern 2026.
CTET Exam Pattern Paper 1 and 2
Aligned with the latest CTET 2026 guidelines, candidates must solve 150 multiple-choice questions within a 150-minute time limit for both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
The CTET examination consists of two distinct papers:
- Paper 1: For candidates who wish to teach primary classes (Classes 1 to 5).
- Paper 2: For candidates who wish to teach upper primary classes (Classes 6 to 8).
| CTET Exam Pattern 2026 | |
| Number of Papers | Two Papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2) |
| Number of Questions | 150 Questions |
| Total Marks | 150 Marks |
| Marking Scheme | 1 Mark for each correct answer |
| Negative Marking | No |
| Time Duration | 150 Minutes (2 Hours and 30 Minutes) |
CTET Exam Pattern 2026: Paper 1
CTET Paper 1 is structured into five core sections: Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, Mathematics, and Environmental Studies. Each section features 30 questions, with each question carrying a value of 1 mark. Refer to the table below for a complete breakdown of section-wise weightage and structure.
| Sections | Topics | Number of Questions | Marks |
| Child Development and Pedagogy |
|
30 Questions | 30 Marks |
| Language 1 |
|
30 Questions | 30 Marks |
| Language 2 |
|
30 Questions | 30 Marks |
| Mathematics |
|
30 Questions | 30 Marks |
| Environmental Studies |
|
30 Questions | 30 Marks |
| Total | 150 Questions | 150 Marks | |
CTET Exam Pattern 2026: Paper 2
CTET Paper 2 comprises four sections: Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, and your chosen subject specialization (Mathematics and Science or Social Studies). The subject-specific section carries a significant weightage of 60 marks, while the other three sections are allocated 30 marks each. Given this distribution, candidates should prioritize their subject mastery to maximize their total scoring potential.
| Sections | Topics | Number of Questions | Marks |
| Child Development and Pedagogy |
|
30 Questions | 30 Marks |
| Language 1 |
|
30 Questions | 30 Marks |
| Language 2 |
|
30 Questions | 30 Marks |
| Mathematics & Science or Social Studies | Mathematics & Science
Social Studies
|
60 Questions | 60 Marks |
| Total | 150 Questions | 150 Marks | |
CTET Exam Pattern 2026
The CTET 2026 examination includes two papers: Paper 1 (Classes 1–5) and Paper 2 (Classes 6–8). Each paper consists of 150 objective-type MCQs worth 150 marks, to be completed in a duration of 150 minutes.
Candidates pursuing primary teaching (Classes 1–5) should take Paper 1, while those targeting upper primary (Classes 6–8) must take Paper 2. Aspiring teachers who aim to work across the full spectrum of primary and upper primary levels (Classes 1–8) are required to qualify for both papers.
There is no negative marking in the CTET examination. Candidates are encouraged to attempt all 150 questions to improve their chances of success.
Each paper features 150 objective-type questions designed to assess pedagogical knowledge and subject proficiency.
Candidates are allotted a total of 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) to complete each paper.