CTET 2025: Complete Guide with Syllabus, Exam Pattern & Preparation Tips
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is one of the most important entrance exam for become teachers in India. Conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), CTET ensures that only qualified and skilled teachers are recruited to teach students from Class I to VIII in central government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and other schools under the administrative control of the Union Government, as well as schools that accept CTET scores.
With CTET 2025 approaching, thousands of candidates across the country are preparing to take the exam. In this blog, we will provide you with all the essential details about CTET 2025, including its exam pattern, eligibility, syllabus, preparation strategies, and tips to crack it successfully.
What is CTET?
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) was introduced in 2011 under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. Its primary aim is to set a national benchmark for the quality of teachers in schools. The exam is conducted twice a year in an offline (pen-paper) mode and is available in 20 different languages, making it accessible for candidates from different regions of India.
Clearing CTET not only qualifies a candidate to apply for teaching posts in government schools but also improves their chances of getting hired by private schools, which often prefer CTET-certified teachers.
CTET 2025: Key Highlights
Examination is held by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Mode of Examination: Offline (OMR-based)
Exam Frequency: Twice a year (usually January and July)
Papers:
Paper I For who want to become teacher of class 1 to 5
Paper II for who wants to become teacher of class 6 to 8
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes for each paper
Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Total Marks: 150 marks per paper
Qualifying Marks: 60% (90 marks out of 150)
Validity of Certificate: Lifetime (earlier it was 7 years, extended by NCTE)
Eligibility Criteria for CTET 2025
The eligibility criteria for CTET different for Paper I (Primary Level teacher) and Paper II (Upper Primary Level teacher ).
For Paper I (Classes I–V):
Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed/appearing in 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.)
OR
Senior Secondary with at least 45% marks and passed/appearing in 2-year D.El.Ed. as per NCTE norms
OR
Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed/appearing in 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.)
OR
Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed/appearing in 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education
For Paper II (Classes VI–VIII):
Graduate and passed/appearing in 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.)
Ther is other option is
Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed/appearing in 1-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed.)
Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed/appearing in 4-year B.A./B.Sc.Ed. or B.A.Ed./B.Sc.Ed.
CTET 2025 Exam Pattern
Paper I (For Classes I–V: Primary Level)
Subjects No. of Questions Marks
Child Development and Pedagogy 30 30
Language I 30 30
Language II 30 30
Mathematics 30 30
Environmental Studies 30 30
Total 150 150
Paper II (For Classes VI–VIII: Upper Primary Level)
Subjects No. of Questions Marks
Child Development and Pedagogy 30 30
Language I 30 30
Language II 30 30
Mathematics & Science (for Science/Math teachers) OR Social Studies (for Social Science teachers) 60 60
Total 150 150
CTET 2025 Syllabus
The syllabus of CTET 2025 is broadly divided into two parts: Paper I and Paper II, covering subjects like pedagogy, languages, mathematics, environmental studies, science, and social studies.
Paper I Syllabus (Primary Stage: Classes I–V)
1. Child Development and Pedagogy
Concept of development and learning theories (Piaget, Kohlberg, Vygotsky and others)
Principles of child development
Inclusive education and addressing learners with special needs
Understanding teaching and learning processes
2. Language I (Candidate’s choice – Hindi, English, Sanskrit, etc.)
Language comprehension
Pedagogy of language development
Grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills
3. Language II (different from Language I)
Comprehension passages
Pedagogy of language learning
Communication and grammatical skills
4. Mathematics
Numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
Geometry and Mensuration (basic)
Data handling
Pedagogical issues in teaching mathematics
5. Environmental Studies (EVS)
Family, food, shelter, water, travel
Animals, plants, natural resources
Environmental education and its pedagogy
Paper II Syllabus (Upper Primary Stage: Classes VI–VIII)
1. Child Development and Pedagogy
Cognitive development of learners
Learning theories and principles
Inclusive education, learning difficulties, gifted learners
Classroom interaction and pedagogy
2. Language I
Reading comprehension, prose, poetry
Pedagogy of language learning
Grammar and language skills
3. Language II
Comprehension
Pedagogical questions
Vocabulary and grammar
4. Mathematics and Science (for Math/Science teachers)
Number system, algebra, geometry, mensuration, statistics
Food, materials, natural phenomena, the world of the living
Pedagogical issues in math and science teaching
5. Social Studies/Social Science (for Social Science teachers)
History, geography, political science, economics
Pedagogy of social studies teaching
Social and political life in India
Preparation Tips for CTET 2025
1. Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: Go through the official syllabus carefully before starting your preparation.
2. Strengthen Child Development and Pedagogy: This section is the backbone of CTET and is common in both papers.
3. Practice Previous Year Papers: Solve past question papers to understand the exam trend and difficulty level.
4. Focus on Language Papers: Both Language I and II are compulsory; practice comprehension and grammar daily.
5. Revise NCERT Books: For subjects like Mathematics, Science, and EVS, NCERT textbooks (Classes I–VIII) are the best resource.
6. Attempt Mock Tests: Regular mock tests will help you manage time and improve accuracy.
7. Stay Updated: Keep track of CBSE notifications regarding exam dates, admit cards, and syllabus changes.
