CTET / TET

The Teacher Eligibility Test, known as TET, is the minimum qualification required in India for a person to be eligible for appointment as a teacher for Classes I to VIII. The test is mandatory for teaching jobs in Indian government schools. There are two papers: Paper 1, for teachers of Classes I to V, and Paper 2 for Classes VI to VIII. The TET is conducted both by the central and state governments of India. Most states conduct their own TET. The test is conducted to meet the objectives of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.

History

The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) was introduced by the Government of India in 2011 to improve standards in teaching. Teachers already working were expected to pass the exam within two years.

The Test

The exam is based on the Government of India’s National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education, and is a mandatory qualification for incoming teachers for Classes I through VIII. People with professional teaching qualifications, including the B.T.C (D.El.Ed), B.Ed, and B.El.Ed, are eligible to take the test. Candidates must score over 60% to pass.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) maintains the TET database and guides government bodies on conducting the test.

Central Teacher Eligibility Test

The CTET was established when, in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1) of Section 23 of the RTE Act, the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) received notifications dated 23 August 2010 and 29 July 2011 stipulating minimum qualifications for eligibility to teach Classes I to VIII. Passing the TET, conducted in accordance with NCTE Guidelines, is an essential requirement for appointment as a teacher in any of the schools referred to in clause (n) of section 2 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE Act).

The national Ministry of Human Resource Development entrusted responsibility for conducting the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) to the CBSE, Delhi, which conducts the CTET twice a year. The CTET is held in 20 Indian languages. Approximately 14 lakh candidates apply to sit the examination. The thirteenth edition of CTET was held on 8 December 2019 in 110 Indian cities.”CTET Exam Centres for 2019 updated to 110 cities”.

Candidates must score a minimum of 60% to become CTET Qualified, and the certificate is valid for seven years. Successful candidates become eligible to apply for recruitment as teachers of Classes I to VIII in schools under the purview of the Central Government (KVS, NVS, Central Tibetan Schools, etc.), and schools under the administrative control of the union territories (UTs) of Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). The examination is demanding, with qualification rates of 1-14% in the exams held to date.

The TET was made a necessary prerequisite for appointment as a teacher to meet the following objectives:

  •   To establish a national benchmark and standards for teacher quality and recruitment
  •   To encourage further improvement in the performance standards of teacher education institutions and theirstudents
  •   To communicate the Government’s particular focus on teacher qualityCTET Exam Pattern 2020, Marking Scheme and Syllabus for Paper 1 & 2CTET Exam Pattern 2020: The national level exam is conducted at two levels, Paper 1 (Primary Stage) and Paper 2 (Elementary Stage). Both the papers are conducted on a single day in different shifts.
  •   Paper 1: for candidates who wish to teach classes 1 to class 5
  •   Paper 2: for candidates who wish to teach class 6 to class 8
  •   In case candidates wish to qualify to teach classes 1 – 8, they can appear for both the papers in CTET exam.
  •   Paper 1 consists of 5 sections while Paper 2 consists of 4 sections. Candidates have to choose betweenMathematics & Science and Social Studies in Paper 2.
  •   Candidates securing a minimum of 60% in CTET will be issued eligibility