CTET Syllabus 2026: Complete Paper 1 & Paper 2 Syllabus, Exam Pattern, PDF Download
Jagdeep Singh
CTET Syllabus 2026
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a national-level teaching eligibility examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Candidates who want to become teachers in government schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and CBSE-affiliated schools must qualify for CTET. The CTET syllabus is divided into two papers: Paper 1 for teaching Classes 1 to 5 and Paper 2 for teaching Classes 6 to 8.
In this article, we provide the complete CTET Syllabus 2026, exam pattern, subject-wise topics, and preparation tips.
CTET Exam Pattern 2026
CTET consists of two papers:
- Paper 1: For Primary Teachers (Classes I to V)
- Paper 2: For Upper Primary Teachers (Classes VI to VIII)
CTET Paper 1 Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
CTET Paper 2 Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies/Social Science | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Important Points:
- Total Duration: 2 Hours 30 Minutes
- Total Marks: 150
- No Negative Marking
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
CTET Paper 1 Syllabus 2026
Paper 1 is designed for candidates who want to teach Classes 1 to 5. It includes five subjects.
1. Child Development and Pedagogy
Child Development
- Concept of Development
- Principles of Child Development
- Influence of Heredity and Environment
- Socialization Processes
- Piaget's Theory
- Kohlberg's Theory
- Vygotsky's Theory
Inclusive Education
- Learning Difficulties
- Special Needs Children
- Inclusive Classroom
Learning and Pedagogy
- Learning Theories
- Intelligence
- Motivation
- Classroom Management
- Assessment and Evaluation
2. Language I
Reading Comprehension
- Unseen Passages
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
Language Development Pedagogy
- Language Learning
- Language Skills
- Teaching Methods
- Remedial Teaching
3. Language II
- Comprehension
- Grammar
- Language Acquisition
- Teaching Strategies
- Communication Skills
4. Mathematics
Content Topics
- Numbers
- Addition and Subtraction
- Multiplication and Division
- Fractions
- Geometry
- Measurement
- Time
- Data Handling
Pedagogical Issues
- Nature of Mathematics
- Teaching Methods
- Problem Solving
5. Environmental Studies
Content Topics
- Family and Friends
- Food
- Shelter
- Water
- Travel
- Plants and Animals
- Natural Resources
Pedagogical Issues
- Teaching EVS
- Activities and Experiments
- Environmental Awareness
CTET Paper 2 Syllabus 2026
Paper 2 is for candidates who want to teach Classes 6 to 8. It includes Child Development & Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, and either Mathematics & Science or Social Studies.
1. Child Development and Pedagogy
- Adolescent Psychology
- Learning Theories
- Inclusive Education
- Intelligence
- Motivation
- Assessment Techniques
- Teaching-Learning Process
2. Language I
- Reading Comprehension
- Grammar
- Language Skills
- Pedagogy of Language Development
3. Language II
- Comprehension
- Language Acquisition
- Teaching Methods
- Communication Skills
4. Mathematics and Science
Mathematics
- Number System
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Statistics
Science
- Food
- Materials
- Natural Phenomena
- Natural Resources
- Living Organisms
Pedagogy
- Teaching Mathematics
- Teaching Science
- Evaluation Methods
5. Social Studies/Social Science
History
- Ancient India
- Medieval India
- Modern India
Geography
- Earth and Environment
- Resources
- Agriculture
- Climate
Political Science
- Democracy
- Government
- Constitution
Economics
- Development
- Resources
- Markets
Pedagogy
- Teaching Social Science
- Classroom Activities
- Assessment Methods
Best Books for CTET Preparation
- CTET Success Master by Arihant
- CTET & TETs Child Development and Pedagogy
- NCERT Books Class 1 to 8
- Environmental Studies NCERT
- Quantitative Aptitude Books
- Previous Year CTET Papers
CTET Preparation Tips
1. Understand the Syllabus
Study the complete syllabus before starting preparation.
2. Make a Study Plan
Allocate daily time to each subject.
3. Read NCERT Books
Most CTET questions are based on NCERT concepts.
4. Practice Previous Year Papers
Solve at least 5–10 years of previous papers.
5. Focus on Pedagogy
Pedagogy questions carry significant weight in both papers.
6. Take Mock Tests
Regular mock tests improve speed and accuracy.
CTET Qualifying Marks
Candidates generally need to score 60% marks (90 out of 150) to qualify. Relaxation is available for reserved categories according to government rules.
Conclusion
The CTET Syllabus 2026 is designed to evaluate teaching aptitude, child psychology, subject knowledge, and classroom teaching skills. Candidates should thoroughly study Child Development and Pedagogy, Language subjects, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, Science, and Social Studies according to their chosen paper. A proper understanding of the syllabus and consistent practice can significantly increase the chances of qualifying CTET and securing a teaching career in India.