• Updated on 18 Sept, 2025 by Souvik
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2025: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will conduct the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2025 in the coming months. Once the official notification and application form are released, candidates will have to complete the CTET registration process to apply for the exam. However, only those who meet the prescribed CTET 2025 eligibility criteria will be allowed to submit the application form.
The eligibility requirements differ for Paper 1 and Paper 2. For Paper 1, candidates must have passed Class 12 with at least 50% marks and should also hold a professional teaching qualification such as DElEd, BElEd, or BEd. For Paper 2, applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree along with one of these teaching qualifications: DElEd, BElEd, or BEd.
Applicants are strongly advised to check the detailed eligibility norms before applying online. The guidelines for CTET 2025 have been set in accordance with the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) norms. Below, the complete eligibility rules for Papers 1 and 2 are provided as per the CBSE’s official directions. The upcoming test will mark the 21st edition of the CTET exam. Check CTET 2025 Notification
NCET CTET Eligibility Criteria 2025: Minimum Qualification
Candidates appearing for CTET 2025 must meet the minimum qualifications prescribed for teaching staff. The eligibility norms for CTET are based on the following criteria:
- As per the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) regulations on minimum qualifications for individuals appointed as teachers (Education and Physical Education) in Pre-Primary, Primary, Upper Primary, Secondary, and Senior Secondary or Intermediate schools/colleges.
- The minimum educational standards are defined in the Recruitment Rules for teachers issued by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), and other recognized institutions.
Applicants should carefully check their eligibility before submitting the CTET application form, since they alone will be held accountable if found ineligible. Merely being permitted to take the CTET 2025 exam does not confirm a candidate’s eligibility. The final verification of qualifications will be carried out by the respective recruiting authority or school at the time of appointment.
Revised CTET Eligibility Criteria 2025
The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), through its notice dated October 13, 2021, introduced an additional eligibility criterion for CTET aspirants. Apart from the earlier educational requirements, candidates who have completed their post-graduation in any stream with at least 55% marks (or an equivalent grade) and possess a three-year integrated B.Ed-M.Ed degree holders are now eligible to apply for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 of the CTET examination. Also Read CTET Syllabus 2025
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2025
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2025 plays a crucial role for candidates aspiring to build a career in the teaching profession, especially in government schools across the country. It is essential for applicants to understand the eligibility requirements for both Paper I (Primary Level) and Paper II (Upper Primary Level). Since certain modifications have been introduced in the CTET, candidates planning to register for the CTET 2025 exam should carefully review the updated eligibility criteria before filling out the online application form.
CTET Nationality
Interested candidates have to be Indian citizens to apply for the CTET 2025 exam.
CTET Age Limit
To become eligible for teaching positions in Classes I–V (Primary) or Classes VI–VIII (Upper Primary), candidates must have attained a minimum age of 18 years. Notably, there is no upper age restriction in either category, which makes the process inclusive and accessible to individuals from varied backgrounds and career stages. This policy enables professionals from other fields to shift into teaching at any point in their careers without facing age limitations.
Furthermore, aspirants can attempt the CTET examination as many times as they choose, since there is no cap on the number of attempts. For Primary Stage (Classes I–V) as well as Elementary Stage (Classes VI–VIII), the age rule remains the same i.e., applicants must be at least 18 years old, but there is no maximum age limit.
CTET Educational Qualification for Paper 1
To qualify as a teacher for Classes 1 to 5 under CTET, a candidate must meet at least one of the following educational requirements:
- Completion of Senior Secondary (Class 12) with at least 50% marks, along with having completed or currently pursuing the final year of a two-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
- Completion of Senior Secondary (Class 12) with at least 45% marks, along with having completed or currently pursuing the final year of a two-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed), as per NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure), Regulations, 2002.
- Completion of Senior Secondary (Class 12) with at least 50% marks, along with having completed or currently pursuing the final year of a four-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).
- Completion of Senior Secondary (Class 12) with at least 50% marks, along with having completed or currently pursuing the final year of a two-year Diploma in Special Education.
- Graduation in any discipline with at least 50% marks, along with holding a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree.
CTET Educational Qualification for Paper 2
To be eligible for appointment as a teacher in Classes 6 to 8 through CTET, candidates must fulfill at least one of the following educational qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree along with completion or ongoing final year of a two-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
- A bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks and completion or enrollment in a one-year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programme.
- A bachelor’s degree with at least 45% marks and completion or enrollment in a one-year B.Ed. course, in accordance with NCTE norms and regulations.
- Successful completion of Class 12 with at least 50% marks, along with completion or ongoing final year of a four-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.) course.
- Successful completion of Class 12 with at least 50% marks along with completion or ongoing final year of a four-year integrated B.A./B.Sc.Ed or B.A.Ed./B.Sc.Ed programme.
- A bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks, along with completion or current enrollment in a one-year B.Ed. Special Education course.
Note: Candidates from reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD) are given a relaxation of 5% in the minimum marks criteria.
CTET Associate Eligibility Parameters
Candidates can check the parameters below.
- Candidates must ensure that the diploma or degree in teacher education they pursue is approved by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).
- For qualifications like a Diploma in Special Education or B.Ed. in Special Education, only those programs that are recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) will be considered valid.
- If a candidate has completed a Diploma in Special Education, it is mandatory for them to undergo a six-month NCTE-recognised Special Programme in Elementary Education after their appointment.
- The appointment of teachers in Physical Education is carried out as per the norms and guidelines set by the NCTE.
- For subjects such as Art Education, Craft, Home Science, Work Education, and similar fields, eligibility criteria are determined by state governments and school authorities until NCTE specifies minimum qualifications for these disciplines.
CTET Qualifying Marks
Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks to clear the CTET examination. For the General category, the passing requirement is 60%. A relaxation of 5% is provided to reserved categories, including Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Class (OBC), and Differently Abled candidates. Thus, aspirants from OBC/SC/ST categories need to score at least 55% marks to qualify.
CTET Application Process 2025
CTET 2025 application form is expected to be released in September 2025. The closing date to submit the application form will typically be in October 2025, giving candidates about three to four weeks to apply. Candidates are advised to check the official CTET website regularly for the exact dates to avoid missing the application window. Late submissions are not accepted, so a timely application is important to appear in the CTET 2025 exam.
How to fill CTET Application Form 2025?
Candidates who wish to fill out CTET Application Form 2025 can follow the steps below.
- Visit the official CTET website at ctet.nic.in and click on the “Apply for CTET 2025” link.
- Register as a new candidate by entering personal details like name, date of birth, email ID, and mobile number. Create a password and note down the application number generated.
- Complete the application form by filling in details such as educational qualifications, category, paper preference, exam center choice, and language.
- Upload scanned copies of a recent passport-size photograph and signature as per specifications.
- Pay the application fee online through debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI.
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page for future reference.
Make sure all details are accurate before submitting the form, as corrections are allowed only during the correction window if announced.
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2025 FAQs
What are the basic educational qualifications to apply for CTET 2025?
Candidates for Paper 1 must have passed Senior Secondary (12th) with at least 50% marks and cleared or be appearing in a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education. For Paper 2, candidates need a graduation degree with 50% marks and B.Ed or equivalent qualifications. Some relaxations exist for reserved categories. Meeting these qualifications is essential to be eligible for the CTET exam and future teaching jobs.
Can students appearing in the final year of their B.Ed or Diploma apply?
Yes, candidates appearing in the final year of their B.Ed or Diploma in Elementary Education can apply for CTET 2025. However, passing the final exam is mandatory before the appointment. This allows fresh students to sit for the exam while completing their courses, increasing accessibility to the teaching profession.
Is there any age limit to apply for CTET 2025?
The minimum age limit to apply for CTET is 17 years. There is no upper age limit, so candidates of any age who meet the educational criteria can apply. This enables both younger and older aspirants to appear for the exam without restrictions on maximum age.
Who can apply for Paper 1 and Paper 2 of CTET?
Paper 1 is for candidates aiming to teach Classes 1 to 5 and requires 12th pass plus Diploma or equivalent. Paper 2 is for teaching Classes 6 to 8; candidates need graduation with B.Ed or equivalent. Some candidates fulfill eligibility for both and can appear in both papers.
Are postgraduates eligible for CTET?
Yes, postgraduates with at least 55% marks and a 3-year integrated B.Ed-M.Ed degree can apply for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 of CTET. This revised criterion by NCTE broadens eligibility for candidates with higher education qualifications.
Are reserved category candidates given any relaxation?
Yes, candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/PwD categories get relaxation in minimum qualifying marks or education percentage as per government norms. This helps promote inclusivity and equal opportunities in teaching jobs.
Can candidates with special education qualifications apply?
Candidates who have passed or are appearing in a Diploma or Degree in Special Education (2 years or more) can apply for CTET eligibility, meeting the minimum marks criteria. This encourages teachers for special education needs.
Is a CTET certificate mandatory for teaching jobs?
Yes, most central government and many state government schools require the CTET qualification as eligibility for teaching Classes 1 to 8. Private schools may also prefer CTET-qualified teachers.
Can candidates apply if only graduation is done without B.Ed?
For Paper 2, graduation without B.Ed is not enough. The candidate must have completed or be appearing in a B.Ed degree or equivalent teacher training course. Graduation alone is insufficient.
Are candidates pursuing teacher training courses eligible?
Candidates currently enrolled in a recognized Teacher Training Course or Diploma can apply for CTET 2025, as per the revised NCTE guidelines, supporting those still completing their courses.
Is there any nationality requirement for CTET?
Candidates must be Indian citizens, or subjects of Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugees, or migrants settled in India permanently to be eligible to appear in CTET.
Can a candidate appear in both Papers 1 & 2 in the same year?
Yes, if a candidate fulfills the eligibility for both papers, they can appear for both Paper 1 (primary teacher) and Paper 2 (upper primary teacher) in the same CTET exam cycle.
Is the CTET eligibility the same for all states of India?
CTET eligibility is set by CBSE and NCTE and applies nationwide for central government schools. However, some state boards may have additional conditions for state TET exams.
Does CTET have any limit on the number of attempts?
No, there is no limit to how many times a candidate can appear for CTET. They can keep trying until they qualify.
What documents are required to prove CTET eligibility during the application process?
Candidates need to provide mark sheets and certificates of educational qualifications, caste certificate if applicable, identity proof, and other relevant documents as per the CTET guidelines during application and recruitment.