The CTET September 2026 examination consists of two objective papers conducted in offline pen-and-paper mode. Paper I and Paper II each carry 150 marks for 150 multiple choice questions with a total duration of 150 minutes and no negative marking.
Paper I (for Classes 1 to 5)
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 | 30 mins (implied) |
| Language I | 30 | 30 | 30 mins (implied) |
| Language II | 30 | 30 | 30 mins (implied) |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 | 30 mins (implied) |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 | 30 mins (implied) |
| Total | 150 | 150 | 150 minutes |
Paper I evaluates educational psychology, child development, and basic concepts across primary subjects for teaching classes 1 to 5. The questions focus on pedagogical understanding and age-appropriate teaching methods.
There is no negative marking in CTET Paper I. Every correct response earns 1 mark, while unattempted or incorrect answers receive zero marks.
Paper II (for Classes 6 to 8)
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 | 30 mins (implied) |
| Language I | 30 | 30 | 30 mins (implied) |
| Language II | 30 | 30 | 30 mins (implied) |
| Mathematics and Science OR Social Studies/Social Science | 60 | 60 | 60 mins (implied) |
| Total | 150 | 150 | 150 minutes |
Paper II tests subject specialization and advanced child psychology required for upper primary teaching. Candidates choose between Mathematics and Science or Social Studies based on their teaching discipline.
There is no negative marking in CTET Paper II. Each question carries 1 mark, and no marks are deducted for wrong answers.
Marking & Normalization
CTET is purely a qualifying examination, and score normalization is not performed. General category candidates must score at least 60% (90 out of 150 marks) to qualify, whereas candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, and PwD categories require 55% (82 out of 150 marks). Qualifying CTET grants an eligibility certificate with lifetime validity.
Pattern FAQs
Is there any negative marking in the CTET 2026 exam?
No, there is no negative marking for incorrect or unanswered questions in either Paper I or Paper II.
Can I attempt both Paper I and Paper II?
Yes, eligible candidates who fulfill the required educational qualifications can opt to appear for both Paper I and Paper II in the same examination cycle.
What is the minimum passing score for CTET 2026?
General category candidates must score a minimum of 90 marks (60%), while SC, ST, OBC, and PwD candidates need 82 marks (55%) out of 150 to qualify.