Difference between CTET & TET Exam - Check How to Apply, Exam Pattern & Syllabus

The main difference between CTET and TET is that CTET is conducted by CBSE under the Central Government, and clearing it allows you to teach in centrally-run schools like Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas anywhere in India. TET, on the other hand, is conducted by each state government separately, and qualifying it makes you eligible to teach only in that particular state's government schools.
TET and CTET are exams for recruiting teachers in government-run schools. The CTET is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) under the Central Government, while the TET is conducted by state governments. Although both serve the same purpose, they differ in job vacancies, applicable schools, and test applicability. CTET stands for Central Teacher Eligibility Test, and TET stands for Teacher Eligibility Test. Here are the key differences between TET and CTET.

Also Read: How to Crack CTET 2026 in First Attempt?

Difference Between TET and CTET

To learn the differences between TET and CTET, let’s individually understand both in detail.

What is CTET?

CTET or Central Teachers Eligibility Test is a test that is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for the purpose of recruiting eligible teachers for primary or elementary education in India. CTET is conducted twice a year by CBSE, and candidates can check the official CBSE website for the latest exam schedule and notification. The recent CTET exam was conducted on February 7 & 8, 2026. As per the latest update, the CTET certificate holds lifetime validity, meaning candidates do not need to reappear for the exam once they have cleared it.

Therefore, if you wish to secure a job in one of the Kendriya Vidyalayas or other Central Government-run schools, then you will be required to appear for the Central Teachers Eligibility Test or CTET. Applicants will be able to find a Central Government-run school situated all across India in all states. However, they will only be able to secure a job position in one of the Centrally-run Government Schools.

What is TET?

TET or Teachers Eligibility Test is a test that is conducted by the state governments of each state. As per the requirements, those who are interested in bagging a teachers position in one of the Government schools will need to appear for the Teachers Eligibility Test. Depending on the rank obtained by the candidate, the vacant positions in the Government schools will be filled.

Since TET is conducted at the state level, candidates will be eligible for teaching posts in government schools of the state they appear for the test. For instance, if you wish to take admission to the government schools in Karnataka, you will be required to appear for Karnataka TET. As per your rank in the Karnataka TET exam, you will be offered the teachers position. With the rank in the state TET score, the candidates will be able to take admission in one of the state government-run schools except for the central government-run schools of the state such as Kendriya Vidyalaya, etc.

Based on the TET and CTET definitions mentioned above, we can conclude the following statements:

• CTET will allow candidates to be recruited all over the country, meanwhile, TET examinations are only applicable for the particular state exam you appeared for.
• CTET score will allow the candidates to be recruited in central government-run schools such as Kendriya Vidyalaya Navodaya Vidyala, etc. Meanwhile, the TET scores will allow the student to be recruited in one of the state government-run schools situated in a particular state.
• Students appearing for CTET can appear in any language they are comfortable with, however, candidates who wish to appear for the TET examination will need to be fluent in the state language, i.e. the Domicile Language, respective to the TET exam they wish to sit in.

These are the major differences between TET and CTET exams in India. The other difference may include the application fee and the application of the Teachers Eligibility Test. Usually, TET application fees and application process will be determined by the state government for that particular year.

Application Fee for TET and CTET

As mentioned above, the application fee that the candidates will have to pay during the application process differs between TET and CTET. All candidates irrespective of the examination they choose will be asked to pay the application fee for TET and CTET. However, since these are government-conducted examinations, the candidates from different reserved categories will be offered relaxation in the payment of the application fee as per the government rules.

As mentioned above, the TET and CTET application fees will be determined by the respective governments, i.e. the Central Government or the State Governments. To apply for the CTET exam, the candidates from the general and OBC category will need to pay an application fee of ₹1,000 for one paper, while the application fee for both the papers will be ₹1,200. While the candidates from the SC, ST, and PWD categories will have to pay the CTET application fee of ₹500 for one paper, for both the papers, the application fee will be ₹600.

The candidates who are aspiring to appear for the TET exam of any particular state will be determined by the state government of each state. Since there is a TET examination for each state, the application fee for each state TET exam will vary from state to state. However, the average TET application fee will range between ₹400 to ₹500 for the General Category, while the application fee for the reserved category candidates may range between ₹200 to ₹300.

If you wish to attempt one of the State Teachers Eligibility Criteria, then here is a list of TET exams in India 2023-24 that are conducted across the country.

• Uttar Pradesh TET (UPTET)
• West Bengal TET (WBTET)
• Karnataka TET
• Rajasthan PTET
• Kerala TET
• Bihar STET
• Assam TET
• Andhra Pradesh TET (APTET)
• Tamil Nadu TET (TNTET)
• Punjab PSTET

Also Read: List of Documents Required to Fill CTET 2026 Application Form

If you are interested in appearing for either TET or CTET in the future, candidates are suggested to visit our page on various state-level TET exams and CTET exams that are conducted twice a year annually. You will be able to understand the eligibility criteria, application process and other important aspects of appearing for a Teachers Eligibility Test in India.

Eligibility Criteria for CTET and TET

Before applying for either of the teacher recruitment examinations, the candidates will need to ensure that they have satisfied the eligibility criteria for CTET and TET. Both examinations require candidates to have a valid degree in education or elementary education field, i.e. B.El.Ed, B.Ed, D.El.Ed.

The eligibility criteria for CTET and TET are the same and all candidates are required to have a degree in education along with other educational qualifications. For example;

• Candidates who have completed their class 12 board examination and have a D.El.Ed. degree and have obtained a minimum aggregate score of 50% (45% for reserved category) are eligible for the exam.
• Candidates with a graduate degree in any discipline and have completed a 2-year D.El.Ed programme, are eligible for the exam.
• Candidates who scored a minimum aggregate score of 50% in their class 12 board exam and completed a four-year B.El.Ed programme.
• Candidates who have cleared the class 12 board exam with a minimum aggregate score of 50% and completed a 2-year D.El.Ed programme in Special Education, are also eligible for the exam.
• Candidates who have completed their graduation and obtained a minimum aggregate score of 50% in the qualifying exam as well as have a valid B.Ed degree are also eligible for the exams.

Exam Pattern of TET and CTET

As mentioned above, there are not a lot of differences between the two examinations which is valid for the exam pattern of TET and CTET. The candidates who are preparing for one of the Teachers Eligibility Test and are confused about the exam pattern for either TET or CTET must note that there are no changes between the two exams. The duration of the examination for both TET and CTET is 150 minutes for each paper. In the table below, we have provided the information regarding the CTET exam pattern and TET exam pattern:

CTET and TET syllabus

CTET and TET typically follow the same syllabus. In the table below, we have pointed out the subject-wise contents of the TET and CTET syllabus 2026 along with the marks:

• Subject-wise CTET & TET syllabus for Paper 1

• Subject-wise CTET & TET Syllabus for Paper 2

Career Prospects after TET and CTET

Whether you clear CTET or TET, the career prospects are quite similar in terms of job role and growth. Both exams open doors to a stable government teaching career, and your salary and promotions will depend on your experience and performance over time.

The main difference lies in where you will be posted. Clearing CTET makes you eligible for teaching positions in central government schools like Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, which are located across the country. Clearing a state TET, on the other hand, makes you eligible only for state government schools in that particular state.

Also Read: CTET Salary 2026: Check Basic Pay Scale & In-hand Salary

To sum it up, both CTET and TET are great opportunities to build a stable career in government school teaching. If you want to teach anywhere across the country, go for CTET. If you prefer staying in your home state, appear for your state TET. Either way, the career growth and job security both exams offer are equally rewarding.

As an expert tip, start your preparation early, focus heavily on Child Development and Pedagogy, and practice previous years' papers regularly. Since there is no negative marking, attempt every question confidently. Also, keep checking official notifications for vacancies even after clearing the exam, as CTET and TET are eligibility certificates and not direct appointment letters. With consistent effort, clearing either exam in the first attempt is absolutely achievable.
In case of any queries on the topic, CTET and other TET exams, reach out to us on the CollegeDekho QnA zone . Also, please stay tuned to keep yourself updated on recruitment exams.