What is TET? Full List of TET Exams in India (State-Wise, 2026)

What Is TET 2026? TET stands for Teacher Eligibility Test. It is an eligibility exam that assesses whether a candidate meets the minimum requirements to teach Classes 1 to 8 in schools. If you want to become a government school teacher in India, you will come across the term TET early in your career. Almost every state has its own TET, along with the national-level CTET, which can make the list of exams seem confusing.

This guide explains what TET means, why it exists, who needs to take it, how the papers are structured, and provides a state-wise list of TET exams along with their conducting bodies.

What is TET? Full Form and Meaning

TET = Teacher Eligibility Test (also written Teachers Eligibility Test). It is a qualifying exam that tests whether a candidate has the knowledge and teaching aptitude needed for school-level teaching. Passing TET does not give you a job. It makes you eligible to apply for teacher recruitment.

Why was TET Introduced?

TET was introduced under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) laid down that, in addition to the required academic and professional qualifications, a person must pass a Teacher Eligibility Test to be appointed as a teacher for Classes 1 to 8. The aim is to keep teaching standards high and bring uniformity to recruitment.

Who Needs to Take TET?

• Candidates who want to teach Classes 1 to 5 (primary)
• Candidates who want to teach Classes 6 to 8 (upper primary)
• Candidates applying to government and government-aided schools, and often to private schools that prefer TET holders

Some states have added categories for high school (Classes 8 to 10) or language and specialist teachers, as KTET does in Kerala.

Types of TET: Central and State

• CTET is the national test, accepted for central schools such as KVS and NVS.
• State TETs are for teaching jobs in that state’s schools.

TET VS CTET 2026

Basic Eligibility for TET 2026

The base rules are set by NCTE, and states may add their own conditions.

Paper 1 (Classes 1 to 5):

• Senior Secondary with the prescribed marks plus a D.El.Ed (or equivalent teacher training course)

Paper 2 (Classes 6 to 8):

• Graduation with the prescribed marks plus a B.Ed, or the other recognised routes

Final-year students of the qualifying course can usually apply. Read the official notification for the exact marks, categories and relaxations.

Common TET Exam Pattern 2026

Most TETs follow a similar pattern:

• Paper 1 and Paper 2 based on the class level
• 150 multiple-choice questions for 150 marks, in many states
• Subjects: Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, Mathematics, Environmental Studies (Paper 1) or Science / Social Science (Paper 2)
• Qualifying mark commonly 60% for General and lower for reserved categories

Patterns differ by state, so read your state’s notification for marks, negative marking and language options.

Complete List of TET Exams in India (2026)

The HTET is held at Stage I, II and III for the primary, secondary and senior secondary levels. The Maharashtra TET, REET and HP TET are conducted by their respective state boards, and the CTET is conducted by CBSE.

Conducting bodies and names can change (for example, UP exams have moved between authorities), so always confirm on the official website. Some sources list 33 or more TETs, counting smaller states and union territories.

KTET (Kerala): Categories Explained

Kerala’s TET has separate categories, so it is not just Paper 1 and Paper 2:

• Category I: Lower Primary (up to Class 4)
• Category II: Upper Primary (Classes 5 to 7)
• Category III: High School (Classes 8 to 10)
• Category IV: Language teachers (Arabic, Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu) and specialist teachers (such as drawing, needlework, PT) up to upper primary

Verify the current category structure and qualifications in the KTET notification. If you plan to teach in Kerala, KTET is the exam to target, and you can add CTET for wider options.

TET vs Recruitment Exams

TET is an eligibility exam, and recruitment is a separate step.

• TET: Confirms you meet the minimum standard.
• Recruitment: State PSC, board or commission exams and merit lists decide who gets each vacancy.

Example: In Uttar Pradesh, you need UPTET or CTET and then must clear the Super TET recruitment exam for the actual posts. In Kerala, teacher appointment happens through the PSC, and a KTET pass is an essential qualification.

Validity of TET Certificates

The CTET certificate is valid for life. State TET validity varies, and many states now follow lifetime validity. Check your state’s rules, because older articles mention 5 or 7 years.

How to Choose the Right TET

• Want to work in your home state? Take your state’s TET.
• Want central school jobs or freedom to move between states? Take CTET.
• Want maximum options? Take both. The core subjects, especially Child Development and Pedagogy and languages, overlap.
• Non-education graduate? Complete the required teacher training course first (see “Are Engineering Graduates Eligible for CTET?”, internal link).

How to Prepare for TET 2026

1. Read the latest notification and syllabus of your target TET.
2. Start with Child Development and Pedagogy. It carries heavy weight in every TET.
3. Strengthen your language sections. Language I and II together are about 40% of a typical paper.
4. Cover NCERT-level subject content for Maths, EVS, Science and Social Science.
5. Solve previous year papers to learn the pattern.
6. Take timed mock tests and review mistakes.
7. Revise regularly, and keep the last 2 weeks for mocks only.

Prepare with the Entri App

The Entri app supports preparation for CTET and state TETs from one place.

• Mock tests in the exam patterns
• Child Development and Pedagogy classes
• Language I and II practice for major languages
• Subject revision for Maths, EVS, Science and Social Science
• Previous year papers with solutions
• Progress analytics to spot weak areas

Download the Entri app and start your TET preparation today.