Teaching is a much sought-after career in India, with benefits like attractive salaries and job security. Entrance exams for teachers are the most common way to get a government or private teaching job. CTET, STET, KVS, and various other teacher entrance exams are conducted annually.
Read on to learn more about the entrance exams for teachers in India.
TET – Teacher Eligibility Test
As per the Right to Education Act, qualifying TET is the minimum eligibility criterion for appointment as a teacher in an Indian school.
These exams for teachers are divided into two categories. Candidates can apply to one or both tests.
- Level 1 Test – For those who want to teach classes I to V.
- Level 2 Test – For those who want to teach classes VI to VIII.
The TET is conducted at the central and state levels.
- At the central level – It is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education and is called Central Teacher Eligibility Test, CTET.
- At the state level - It is conducted by various state governments.
CTET – Central Teacher Eligibility Test
CTET is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education, Delhi. They ensure the minimum level of qualification of candidates who intend to teach in the pre-primary and primary classes. It is generally conducted twice a year in 112 cities across India. Qualifying CTET is mandatory for recruitment as a teacher in Central Government schools or schools under the administrative control of the Union Territories of Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and NCT of Delhi. In addition, CTET is considered the qualifying exam in certain unaided private schools and states where the State Teacher Eligibility Test is not conducted.
CTET Eligibility:
- Age Limit: Minimum 17 years with no upper limit
- Educational Qualification: Must fulfill one of these criteria:
- Graduation with a minimum of 50% marks and B.Ed.
- Graduation with a minimum of 50% marks and B.Ed. (Special Education).
- Post-graduation with a minimum of 55% marks or equivalent and a 3-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed.
STET – State Level Teacher Eligibility Test
The state governments conduct the STET exam for teachers to shortlist candidates for state-run schools and colleges. The state-wise TET exams for teachers are as follows:
Eligibility of State TET:
- Eligibility for Paper 1 (for classes 1-5) - Must fulfil one of these criteria:
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with a minimum of 50% marks. Passed or in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with a minimum of 50% marks. Passed or in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education.
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with a minimum of 50% marks. Passed or in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education).
- Graduation with a minimum of 50% marks and B.Ed.
- Eligibility for Paper 2 (for classes 6-8) - Must fulfill one of these criteria:
- Graduation. Passed or in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education.
- Graduation with a minimum of 50% marks. Passed or in the final year of B.Ed.
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with a minimum of 50% marks. Passed or in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor in Elementary Education.
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with a minimum of 50% marks. Passed or in the final year of a 4-year B.A/B.Sc.Ed or B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed.
- Graduation with a minimum of 50% marks. Passed or in the final year of B.Ed. (Special Education).
SC/ST/OBC/differently-abled categories are given a relaxation of up to 5% in the qualifying marks.
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) Teacher Recruitment Exam
KVS exam is conducted to select candidates for various faculty posts for KV schools across the country.
KVS Teacher Eligibility Criteria:
- For Post Graduate Teachers (PGT):
- Master’s Degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks.
- B.Ed. or equivalent degree from a recognized university.
- Proficiency in teaching in Hindi and English.
2. For Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT):
- B.Ed. or equivalent from a recognized University.
- Must have cleared CTET Paper 2.
- Proficiency in teaching in Hindi and English.
- Must fulfil one of the following criteria:
- 4-year integrated degree course recognized by NCERT with a minimum of 50% marks overall and in the subject.
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent from a recognized University with a minimum of 50% marks.
3. For Primary Teacher (PRT):
- Must have cleared CTET Paper 1.
- Proficiency in teaching in Hindi and English.
- Must fulfill one of the following criteria:
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with a minimum of 50% marks. Passed or in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with a minimum of 50% marks. Passed or in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education.
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with a minimum of 50% marks. Passed or in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education).
- Graduation with a minimum of 50% marks and B.Ed.
KVS teacher selection is a 2-step process.
Step 1 - Written Examination: The paper is divided into two parts. Part 1 has questions on general English and general Hindi. Part 2 questions general knowledge, current affairs, reasoning ability, computer literacy, pedagogy, and the subject concerned.
Step 2 - Personal Interview: Candidates who qualify for the written examinations are called for a personal interview.
Ultimately, qualifying for these teacher exams is a great way to start an individual’s journey in a noble profession. Every year lakhs of students appear for these exams, so early and consistent efforts are the key to cracking these exams.
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