CTET Syllabus 2026: Check Complete Paper 1 & Paper 2 Syllabus, Exam Pattern and Preparation Strategy.The CTET Syllabus 2026 is an important part of the preparation process for candidates planning to appear for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test. Before starting preparation, candidates should clearly understand which subjects are included in the examination, what topics need to be covered and how the two papers differ.
CTET is conducted for candidates seeking teaching eligibility at the primary level (Classes 1 to 5) and upper-primary level (Classes 6 to 8). The examination is divided into Paper 1 and Paper 2, with candidates able to choose the paper according to the classes they intend to teach.
Each paper contains 150 multiple-choice questions carrying 150 marks, with a duration of 2 hours 30 minutes. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
This article covers the complete CTET Syllabus 2026 for Paper 1 and Paper 2, along with the exam pattern, subject-wise topics and a practical preparation strategy.
Overview of CTET Syllabus 2026
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Education |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Exam Mode | Offline / OMR Based |
| Number of Papers | Two |
| Paper 1 | Classes 1 to 5 |
| Paper 2 | Classes 6 to 8 |
| Questions in Each Paper | 150 |
| Marks in Each Paper | 150 |
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Negative Marking | No |
| Paper 2 Choice | Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies/Social Science |
CTET Exam Pattern 2026
Understanding the exam pattern along with the syllabus makes preparation much easier. Both papers contain 150 questions, but the subject combination changes depending on the teaching level.
CTET Paper 1 Exam Pattern
Paper 1 is for candidates who want to teach Classes 1 to 5.
| Subject | 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 |
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
CTET Paper 2 Exam Pattern
Paper 2 is for candidates who want to teach Classes 6 to 8.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies/Social Science | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Candidates selecting Mathematics & Science will attempt that section, while those choosing Social Studies/Social Science will attempt the corresponding 60 questions.
CTET Paper 1 Syllabus 2026
Paper 1 consists of five sections:
- Child Development and Pedagogy
- Language I
- Language II
- Mathematics
- Environmental Studies
Let’s understand each section in detail.
1. Child Development and Pedagogy
This section carries 30 questions for 30 marks and focuses on child development, learning processes and teaching methods.
Child Development
Important topics include:
- Concept of development and its relationship with learning
- Principles of child development
- Heredity and environment
- Socialisation processes
- Role of teachers, parents and peers
- Piaget, Kohlberg and Vygotsky
- Child-centred and progressive education
- Concept of intelligence
- Multi-dimensional intelligence
- Language and thought
- Gender as a social construct
- Gender roles and gender bias
- Individual differences among learners
- Assessment and evaluation
Inclusive Education and Children with Special Needs
Candidates should study:
- Concept of inclusive education
- Learners from diverse backgrounds
- Learning difficulties
- Children with impairments
- Talented and creative learners
- Specially abled learners
- Approaches for addressing different learning needs
Learning and Pedagogy
This part includes:
- How children think and learn
- Learning strategies
- Teaching and learning processes
- Learning as a social activity
- Social context of learning
- Children as problem solvers
- Alternative conceptions of learning
- Understanding children’s errors
- Cognition and emotions
- Motivation and learning
- Factors affecting learning
Preparation Tip: Questions in this section are often connected with classroom situations. Instead of simply memorising definitions, understand how different theories can be applied in a real classroom.
2. CTET Language I Syllabus 2026
Language I contains 30 questions for 30 marks.
Language Comprehension
The syllabus includes:
- Unseen passages
- Prose
- Drama
- Poetry
- Comprehension
- Inference
- Grammar
- Verbal ability
The passages may be literary, scientific, narrative or discursive.
Pedagogy of Language Development
Important topics include:
- Learning and acquisition
- Principles of language teaching
- Role of listening and speaking
- Language as a tool for communication
- Role of grammar in language learning
- Language difficulties and errors
- Language disorders
- Language skills
- Speaking and listening
- Reading and writing
- Evaluation of language comprehension
- Teaching-learning materials
- Textbooks and multimedia resources
- Multilingual classroom
- Remedial teaching
3. CTET Language II Syllabus 2026
Language II is also worth 30 marks and must be different from Language I.
Comprehension
Candidates should prepare:
- Unseen prose passages
- Literary passages
- Narrative passages
- Discursive passages
- Scientific passages
- Comprehension
- Grammar
- Verbal ability
Language Pedagogy
The major topics are:
- Language learning and acquisition
- Principles of language teaching
- Listening and speaking
- Role of grammar
- Language skills
- Challenges of teaching language
- Language difficulties and errors
- Evaluation
- Teaching-learning materials
- Multilingual resources
- Remedial teaching
Exam Tip: Practice comprehension passages regularly. Try to solve them within a fixed time so that you become comfortable with passage-based questions.
4. CTET Mathematics Syllabus 2026
Mathematics carries 30 questions for 30 marks in Paper 1.
Mathematics Content
The important topics include:
- Geometry
- Shapes and spatial understanding
- Solids around us
- Numbers
- Addition
- Subtraction
- Multiplication
- Division
- Measurement
- Weight
- Time
- Volume
- Data handling
- Patterns
- Money
Mathematics Pedagogy
Candidates should also prepare:
- Nature of mathematics
- Logical thinking
- Children’s thinking and reasoning
- Learning mathematics
- Place of mathematics in the curriculum
- Language of mathematics
- Community mathematics
- Formal and informal evaluation
- Problems in teaching mathematics
- Error analysis
- Diagnostic teaching
- Remedial teaching
Preparation Tip: Don’t restrict your preparation to calculations. CTET also tests your understanding of children’s mathematical thinking and teaching methods.
5. CTET Environmental Studies Syllabus 2026
Environmental Studies carries 30 questions for 30 marks.
EVS Content
The main areas include:
- Family and Friends
- Relationships
- Work and Play
- Animals
- Plants
- Food
- Shelter
- Water
- Travel
- Things We Make and Do
EVS Pedagogy
Important topics include:
- Concept and scope of EVS
- Significance of EVS
- Integrated EVS
- Environmental Studies and environmental education
- Learning principles
- Relationship of EVS with Science and Social Science
- Different approaches to presenting concepts
- Activities
- Experimentation and practical work
- Discussion
- Evaluation
- Teaching-learning materials
- Problems in teaching EVS
CTET Paper 2 Syllabus 2026
Paper 2 consists of four sections:
- Child Development and Pedagogy
- Language I
- Language II
- Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies/Social Science
The first three sections broadly cover child development, language comprehension and language pedagogy. The final section depends on the candidate’s selected subject.
Child Development and Pedagogy for Paper 2
Important areas include:
- Child development
- Relationship between development and learning
- Principles of development
- Heredity and environment
- Socialisation
- Piaget, Kohlberg and Vygotsky
- Child-centred education
- Progressive education
- Intelligence
- Individual differences
- Gender
- Inclusive education
- Children with special needs
- Learning difficulties
- Assessment
- Learning and pedagogy
- Motivation
- Cognition and emotions
- Learning strategies
- Classroom learning
Language I and Language II for Paper 2
Both language sections cover comprehension and pedagogy.
Comprehension
Candidates should prepare:
- Unseen prose
- Literary passages
- Narrative passages
- Discursive passages
- Scientific passages
- Comprehension
- Grammar
- Verbal ability
- Inference-based questions
Language Pedagogy
Important topics include:
- Language learning and acquisition
- Principles of language teaching
- Listening and speaking
- Grammar
- Language skills
- Diverse and multilingual classrooms
- Language difficulties
- Evaluation
- Teaching-learning materials
- Remedial teaching
CTET Mathematics & Science Syllabus 2026
Candidates who select Mathematics and Science have to attempt 60 questions for 60 marks.
Mathematics
Major topics include:
- Number System
- Whole Numbers
- Integers
- Fractions
- Algebra
- Ratio and Proportion
- Geometry
- Shapes
- Symmetry
- Construction
- Mensuration
- Data Handling
Mathematics Pedagogy
Prepare topics such as:
- Nature of mathematics
- Mathematical thinking
- Children’s reasoning
- Language of mathematics
- Community mathematics
- Evaluation
- Error analysis
- Diagnostic and remedial teaching
- Teaching-learning resources
Science
Important areas include:
- Food
- Materials
- The world of living
- Moving things, people and ideas
- How things work
- Electric current and circuits
- Magnets
- Natural phenomena
- Natural resources
Science Pedagogy
The syllabus includes:
- Nature of science
- Understanding science
- Observation
- Experimentation
- Activities
- Discovery approach
- Discussion
- Teaching-learning materials
- Evaluation
- Problems in science teaching
- Remedial teaching
CTET Social Studies/Social Science Syllabus 2026
Candidates selecting Social Studies/Social Science attempt 60 questions for 60 marks.
History
Important areas include:
- Ancient India
- Medieval India
- Modern India
- Major historical developments
- Indian National Movement
- Important events and personalities
Geography
Topics include:
- Earth and its environment
- Geography
- Natural resources
- Agriculture
- Human environment
- Settlement
- Transport
- Communication
Social and Political Life
Candidates should prepare:
- Diversity
- Government
- Democracy
- Constitution
- Parliamentary government
- Judiciary
- Social justice
- Social and political issues
Social Science Pedagogy
Important topics include:
- Nature of Social Science
- Classroom processes
- Critical thinking
- Teaching-learning methods
- Discussion
- Activities
- Project work
- Evaluation
- Teaching materials
- Problems in teaching Social Science
- Remedial teaching
CTET 2026 Marking Scheme
The marking scheme is simple:
- Correct answer: +1 mark
- Incorrect answer: 0 marks
- No negative marking
- Total questions: 150 per paper
- Total marks: 150 per paper
- Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Because there is no negative marking, candidates should try to attempt all questions after using proper elimination and time-management techniques.
How to Prepare for CTET 2026?
Start With the Syllabus
Before opening your books, make a checklist of the syllabus. This will help you identify exactly what needs to be studied.
Give Special Attention to Pedagogy
Child Development and Pedagogy is common to both papers. Understand the major theories, learning processes, inclusive education and classroom situations.
Practise Language Every Day
Spend some time every day solving comprehension passages and revising grammar and vocabulary.
Strengthen Subject Basics
For Paper 1, give adequate time to Mathematics and EVS. For Paper 2, focus on your selected Mathematics & Science or Social Studies/Social Science section.
Solve Previous-Year Questions
Previous-year questions are useful for understanding the question style and identifying areas that need more practice.
Take Mock Tests
Mock tests should become part of your preparation, especially during the final phase. After every test, check:
- Which questions were incorrect?
- Which topics caused difficulty?
- Where did you spend too much time?
- Which questions were guessed?
This analysis is often more useful than simply looking at the final score.
CTET 90-Day Preparation Plan
Days 1–30: Build Concepts
Focus on completing the basic syllabus.
- Child Development and Pedagogy
- Language I
- Language II
- Mathematics
- EVS / Science / Social Science
Make short notes while studying.
Days 31–60: Practice
Start solving:
- Topic-wise questions
- Previous-year questions
- Pedagogy questions
- Comprehension passages
- Sectional tests
Identify your weak areas and revise them regularly.
Days 61–75: Mock Tests
Start taking full-length tests.
Focus on:
- Speed
- Accuracy
- Time management
- Question selection
- Weak topics
Days 76–90: Final Revision
Use this period mainly for:
- Short notes
- Important concepts
- Pedagogy theories
- Previous-year questions
- Mock-test analysis
- Revision of mistakes
Avoid starting large new topics during the final days unless they are essential.
CTET Preparation: Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Studying Without the Syllabus
Without a clear syllabus, candidates often spend too much time on topics that are not important for the examination.
2. Ignoring Pedagogy
CTET is not only about subject knowledge. Understanding teaching and learning processes is equally important.
3. Leaving Language Preparation for the End
Both languages carry significant marks. Regular practice is much more effective than trying to complete them in a few days.
4. Not Solving Previous-Year Questions
Reading theory alone is not enough. Question practice helps you understand how concepts are actually tested.
5. Taking Mock Tests Without Analysis
A mock test is useful only when you analyse your mistakes and work on them.
6. Using Too Many Books
Too many study materials can create confusion. Select reliable material and revise it multiple times.
CTET Syllabus 2026: Quick Revision
- Paper 1: Classes 1 to 5
- Paper 2: Classes 6 to 8
- Questions: 150 in each paper
- Marks: 150 in each paper
- Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Question Type: MCQs
- Negative Marking: No
- Paper 1 Subjects: CDP, Language I, Language II, Mathematics and EVS
- Paper 2 Subjects: CDP, Language I, Language II and Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies/Social Science
- CDP: 30 marks
- Language I: 30 marks
- Language II: 30 marks
- Paper 1 Mathematics: 30 marks
- Paper 1 EVS: 30 marks
- Paper 2 subject section: 60 marks
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