CTET July 2026 Syllabus – Paper 1 vs Paper 2, Qualifying Marks, Exam Structure & Complete Topic Breakdown

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) July 2026 is the next scheduled CTET cycle following the February 2026 exam — conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) as the mandatory eligibility certification for teachers in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, Central Tibetan Schools, and other central government-aided schools across India.

Two things make CTET preparation different from other government exams: First, every section in both Paper 1 and Paper 2 is split into Content (subject knowledge) and Pedagogy (teaching methodology) — you must know both the subject and how to teach it. Second, there is no negative marking — every one of the 150 questions should be attempted regardless of certainty, because a wrong answer costs nothing.

This guide covers the complete CTET July 2026 syllabus for both papers, section-wise with sub-topics, the exact internal weightage within sections, the differences between Paper 1 and Paper 2, and qualifying marks with a preparation framework.

CTET July 2026 – Exam Overview

Paper 1 vs Paper 2 – Core Difference

Candidates who want to teach both primary and upper primary can appear in both papers — the same day, different shifts.​

CTET Paper 1 – Complete Exam Pattern

Paper 1 has five sections of equal 30-mark weight:

CTET Paper 2 – Complete Exam Pattern

Paper 2 has four sections, with a key choice in the fourth section:

The choice between Maths+Science and Social Studies is made at the application stage — you select the subject area you wish to teach at upper primary level. This cannot be changed after application submission.​

Section 1: Child Development & Pedagogy (CDP) – 30 Marks (Both Papers)

CDP is the only fully common section between Paper 1 and Paper 2 — same topic framework, same marks, but Paper 2 requires deeper conceptual application.

The 30 questions are officially divided into three sub-parts:

Child Development — 15 Questions

• Growth and development — meaning, principles, stages (infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence).

• Physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and language development.

• Jean Piaget’s cognitive development theory — four stages, schema, assimilation, accommodation, equilibration.

• Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory — Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), scaffolding, More Knowledgeable Other (MKO).

• Erikson’s psychosocial development — eight stages, crisis at each stage.

• Kohlberg’s moral development — three levels, six stages.

• Influence of heredity and environment on development.

• Gender as a social construct — gender stereotypes and their impact on education.

• Socialisation processes — family, peer group, school, and media.

• Child-centred and progressive education — John Dewey.

• Critical perspective on the construct of intelligence — multiple intelligences (Howard Gardner’s eight intelligences).

Inclusive Education — 5 Questions

• Meaning, need, and importance of inclusive education.

• Right to Education Act 2009 — key provisions for inclusion.

• Addressing the needs of:

  • Children with learning disabilities (Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, ADHD, Autism).

  • Intellectually gifted and talented children.

  • Slow learners.

  • Children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds (SC/ST/minority/girls).

• Strategies for inclusive classrooms — differentiated instruction, peer tutoring, modified assessment.

Learning and Pedagogy — 10 Questions

• How children think and learn — active construction of knowledge.

• Motivation and learning — intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation; Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

• Basic learning theories — Thorndike (trial and error), Pavlov (classical conditioning), Skinner (operant conditioning), Kohler (insight).

• Factors affecting learning.

• Why children fail in school — cognitive, emotional, social, and motivational causes.

• Teaching strategies aligned with different learning styles.

• Assessment and evaluation — formative, summative, diagnostic; Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE).

• Classroom environment and teacher’s role in facilitating learning.

Section 2: Language I – 30 Marks (Both Papers)

Language I is the language the candidate chooses as their primary medium of instruction — it is tested at a higher proficiency level than Language II.

The 30 questions are divided equally:

Language Comprehension — 15 Questions

• Two unseen reading passages: One prose or drama passage + one poem.

• Questions test: Comprehension, inference drawing, literary appreciation, grammar in context, and verbal ability.

• Prose passages may be literary, scientific, narrative, or discursive in nature.

• Poetry questions test appreciation, theme, figure of speech identification, and mood.

Pedagogy of Language Development — 15 Questions

• Learning and acquisition of language — first and second language acquisition theories.

• Role of language in cognition and communication.

• Challenges of language teaching in diverse classrooms — multilingual and multilevel classes.

• Language skills — listening, speaking, reading, and writing (LSRW) and their development.

• Teaching-learning materials for language — textbooks, multimedia, multilingual resources.

• Communicative approach to language teaching.

• Remedial teaching for language difficulties.

• Evaluation of language comprehension and proficiency — formative and summative approaches.

Available Language I and II options in CTET:
Hindi, English, Assamese, Bengali, Garo, Gujarati, Kannada, Khasi, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Mizo, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Tibetan, Urdu.​

Language I and Language II must be different languages — you cannot choose the same language for both.​

Section 3: Language II – 30 Marks (Both Papers)

Language II tests communication ability and basic language pedagogy — at a slightly lower proficiency depth than Language I:

Comprehension — 15 Questions

• Two unseen prose passages (discursive, literary, narrative, or scientific).

• Questions test comprehension, grammar accuracy, and verbal ability.

• No poetry passage in Language II (unlike Language I which includes a poem).

Pedagogy of Language Development — 15 Questions

Same framework as Language I pedagogy — covers language acquisition, multilingual classroom strategies, LSRW skills, communicative language teaching, evaluation of language proficiency.

Section 4A (Paper 1): Mathematics – 30 Marks

Paper 1 Mathematics questions are at Class 1–5 level — basic arithmetic and elementary concepts with a 20:10 content-to-pedagogy split:

Mathematics Content — 20 Questions

• Number System:

  • Knowing our numbers — natural numbers, whole numbers, place value.

  • Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division — properties and operations.

  • Factors and multiples — LCM and HCF.

  • Fractions — types, comparison, operations.

  • Decimals — place value, operations.

• Geometry:

  • Basic shapes — 2D and 3D shapes, their properties.

  • Symmetry — line of symmetry, mirror image.

  • Measurement — length, weight, capacity, time, money.

• Algebra:

  • Basic introduction to patterns and relationships.

  • Simple equations (preparatory level — Class 4–5).

• Data Handling:

  • Reading and interpretation of tables, bar graphs, and pictographs.

  • Basic data organisation.

Pedagogical Issues — 10 Questions

• Nature of Mathematics — logical thinking, abstraction, structure.

• How children think about and understand mathematical concepts.

• Place of Mathematics in the curriculum.

• Language of Mathematics and common errors in learning.

• Teaching strategies — problem-solving approach, activity-based learning, games and puzzles.

• Maths anxiety — causes, identification, and remediation.

• Diagnostic and remedial teaching in Mathematics.

• Evaluation methods — formative assessment in Mathematics.

Section 5 (Paper 1): Environmental Studies (EVS) – 30 Marks

EVS is unique to Paper 1 — it does not appear in Paper 2. The 30-question section has a 20:10 content-to-pedagogy split:

EVS Content — 20 Questions

CTET EVS content is based on Class 3–5 NCERT EVS textbooks (“Looking Around”) and covers six thematic areas:

1. Family and Friends:

• Relationships — family structure, joint and nuclear families.

• Work and play — occupations in the community.

• Animals — pets, wild animals, domestic animals, insects.

• Plants — different types, uses, interdependence.

2. Food:

• Sources of food — plants and animals.

• Food we eat — regional variations in diet across India.

• Food preservation — methods and reasons.

• Nutrition basics — vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates.

3. Shelter:

• Types of houses — materials, climate-adapted housing across India.

• People without homes — social awareness.

• Animals and their shelters.

4. Water:

• Sources of water — rivers, ponds, wells, rainwater.

• Water management — conservation, traditional water harvesting methods in India.

• Water pollution — causes and effects.

• States of water — water cycle.

5. Travel:

• Means of transport — land, water, air.

• Maps and directions — basic map reading.

• Journeys and migration of people and animals.

6. Things We Make and Do:

• Crafts and occupations of India — weaving, pottery, metalwork.

• Tools and technology — simple machines and how they are used.

• Importance of local knowledge and traditional practices.

EVS Pedagogical Issues — 10 Questions

• Concept and scope of EVS — its integrated nature (Science + Social Studies at primary level).

• Significance of EVS in primary education.

• Learning principles in EVS — experiential learning, storytelling, activities, experiments.

• Activities and experiments — hands-on learning in EVS.

• Discussion and problem-solving in EVS.

• CCE in EVS — continuous, activity-based assessment.

• Teaching issues — making EVS relevant to children’s real lives.

• Environmental concerns — ecology, biodiversity, sustainability at primary level.

Section 4B (Paper 2 – Option A): Mathematics & Science – 60 Marks

For candidates wishing to teach Mathematics and/or Science at the upper primary level (Classes 6–8). This combined 60-mark section is tested at Class 6–8 level with questions potentially going up to senior secondary difficulty:

Mathematics (30 Questions, 30 Marks)

Content topics (Class 6–8 level):​

• Number System — rational numbers, exponents and powers, squares and square roots, cubes and cube roots.

• Algebra — algebraic expressions, identities, linear equations in one variable, introduction to graphs.

• Ratio and Proportion — unitary method, percentage, profit and loss, simple and compound interest.

• Geometry — lines and angles, triangles (properties, congruence, similarity), quadrilaterals (types and properties), circles (arc, chord, tangent — basic).

• Mensuration — area and perimeter of plane figures; surface area and volume of cube, cuboid, cylinder.

• Data Handling — frequency distribution tables, bar charts, pie charts, histograms, mean, median, mode, probability (basic).

Pedagogical Issues:

• Nature of mathematics, mathematical thinking, problem-solving.

• Community mathematics — connecting Maths to daily life.

• Assessment, error analysis, diagnostic teaching.

• Teaching strategies — constructivist approach, games, projects.

Science (30 Questions, 30 Marks)

Content topics (Class 6–8 NCERT Science):​

• Food — sources, components (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals), food preservation, microorganisms and food spoilage.

• Materials — properties of materials, separation of substances, synthetic fibres, metals and non-metals, coal and petroleum, combustion and flame.

• The World of the Living — cell structure, plant life (nutrition, respiration, transportation), animal life (nutrition, respiration, transportation, reproduction), microorganisms.

• Moving Things, People and Ideas — force, friction, sound, light (reflection and refraction), electricity, magnets.

• How Things Work — electric circuits and components, chemical effects of electric current.

• Natural Phenomena — earthquakes and natural disasters (basic), weather, climate and seasons, water cycle, air and water pollution.

• Natural Resources — water, air, soil, forests, mineral resources, conservation.

Science Pedagogical Issues:​

• Nature and structure of sciences.

• Natural Science aims and objectives — understanding and appreciating Science.

• Approaches to Science teaching — integrated, activity-based, inquiry-based.

• Observation, experimentation, discovery.

• Innovations and improvisation in Science teaching.

• Text material — beyond the textbook.

• Problems in Science teaching.

• Remedial teaching in Science.

Section 4B (Paper 2 – Option B): Social Studies / Social Sciences – 60 Marks

For candidates wishing to teach Social Studies at the upper primary level. This section is also 60 marks with a 40:20 content-to-pedagogy split:

Social Studies Content — 40 Questions (History + Geography + Political Science)

History (Class 6–8 NCERT):​

• When, Where and How — sources of history, timeline, archaeological evidence.

• Early Civilisations — Harappan Civilisation, Vedic period.

• Kingdoms, Empires and Republics — Mahajanapadas, Maurya Empire, Gupta Empire.

• New Kings and Kingdoms — Chola, Rashtrakuta, Pala.

• Delhi Sultanate — early and later sultans.

• The Mughal Empire — Akbar, Aurangzeb, administration, art and culture.

• Architecture as history — temple styles, Mughal architecture.

• Colonial period — establishment of British rule, economic impact.

• Tribal societies, pastoralists, and farmers in history.

• Nationalist movement — from 1857 to 1947.

• India after independence — partition, Constitution, integration of states.

Geography (Class 6–8 NCERT):​

• Solar System and the Earth — globe, latitudes, longitudes.

• Motions of the Earth — rotation, revolution, seasons.

• Maps — types, map reading, scale.

• Major domains of the Earth — lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere.

• India — physical features (mountains, plains, plateaus, rivers, coastal plains, islands).

• Climate of India — monsoon, seasons.

• Natural vegetation and wildlife.

• Human environment — settlement, transport, communication.

• Human environment interactions — tropical, desert, temperate environments.

• Resources — natural and human resources, types of resources, conservation.

• Agriculture — types, food crops, commercial crops.

Political Science / Social and Political Life (Class 6–8 NCERT):​

• Diversity — diversity in India, prejudice, discrimination.

• Government — local, state, national levels; types of government.

• Role of government — making and enforcing laws, providing public services.

• State government — functioning, legislature, judiciary.

• Parliamentary democracy — elections, Parliament, how laws are made.

• Judiciary — role of courts, FIR, public interest litigation.

• Understanding secularism — meaning and Indian context.

• Economic role of the government — markets, traders, producers.

• Social justice — understanding equality and inequality.

• Gender and social change — women’s role in society.

Social Studies Pedagogical Issues — 20 Questions

• Social Studies and Social Sciences — nature, concept, class.

• Sources of information in Social Studies — primary and secondary.

• Projects and field visits in Social Studies.

• Critical thinking in Social Studies.

• Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation — tools and approaches for Social Studies.

• Problems of teaching Social Studies — making it meaningful and relevant.

• Classroom discourse in Social Studies.

• Evaluation of learning outcomes in Social Studies.

CTET Qualifying Marks 2026

Lifetime validity: CTET certificates have permanent validity — the earlier 7-year limit was removed by the Government of India. A certificate earned in CTET July 2026 will be valid for your entire teaching career.​

Passing both papers: Candidates who appear for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 and meet qualifying marks in both receive separate certificates for each. This enables them to apply for both primary (Classes 1–5) and upper primary (Classes 6–8) teaching positions.

Paper 1 vs Paper 2 – Full Comparison

Internal Weightage Summary – Content vs Pedagogy

Every subject section in CTET has a content component and a pedagogy component. Here is the exact split:

The pedagogical questions carry approximately 33–40% of every section’s marks. Candidates who only prepare subject content and neglect pedagogy are leaving 40–50 marks unaddressed across both papers.

4-Month Preparation Strategy for CTET July 2026

Month 1: CDP + Language Foundation

• Complete CDP full syllabus (all three parts: Child Development, Inclusive Education, Learning & Pedagogy) — CDP is compulsory in both papers.

• Begin Language I and Language II reading comprehension practice: 1 passage daily.

• Study language pedagogy topics alongside.

Month 2: Subject Content

• Paper 1 candidates: Complete NCERT Class 3–5 Mathematics and EVS (“Looking Around” books).

• Paper 2 Maths/Science candidates: Complete NCERT Class 6–8 Science (all chapters) and Class 6–8 Mathematics.

• Paper 2 Social Studies candidates: Complete NCERT Class 6–8 History, Geography, and Civics (all three streams).

Month 3: Pedagogy + Section-wise Practice

• Study pedagogical issues for each subject — this is not textbook content but methodology understanding.

• Solve 30-question section-wise mock tests daily.

• Specifically target NEP 2020, RTE Act 2009, and CCE concepts (appear frequently across CDP and subject pedagogy both).

Month 4: Full Papers + Revision

• Two full 150-question mock papers per week (timed — 150 minutes strictly).

• Focus on attempted vs. correct rate — since there is no negative marking, all 150 must be attempted.

• Final 2 weeks: Revise theory summaries (Piaget, Vygotsky, Kohlberg, Thorndike, Skinner) and subject formula sheets only.

FAQs

Q. What is the CTET July 2026 exam date?
CTET July 2026 notification is expected in April–May 2026 on ctet.nic.in, with the exam likely scheduled in July 2026. Verify official dates from ctet.nic.in as CBSE confirms them.

Q. Is there negative marking in CTET 2026?
No. CTET has no negative marking — a wrong answer scores zero, not a deduction. This means all 150 questions should be attempted without exception.

Q. Can a candidate appear in both Paper 1 and Paper 2?
Yes. Candidates who wish to be eligible for both primary (Classes 1–5) and upper primary (Classes 6–8) teaching posts can appear for both papers. Separate certificates are issued if qualifying marks are achieved in each.

Q. What is the difference between Language I and Language II in CTET?
Language I is the candidate’s chosen medium of classroom instruction — tested at higher proficiency. Language II is a different language tested for general communication proficiency. The two languages must be different from each other.

Q. How long is the CTET certificate valid for?
The CTET certificate has lifetime validity — permanent, with no expiry. The government removed the earlier 7-year limit in 2021.​

Q. What percentage of marks should be allocated to pedagogy preparation?
Pedagogy questions account for approximately 33–40% of each subject section. CDP pedagogy, Language pedagogy, and subject-specific pedagogical issues together can account for 60–65 marks across a 150-mark paper — making pedagogy preparation as important as subject content preparation.

Q. Which NCERT books should be studied for CTET Paper 2 Social Studies?
Study all NCERT Class 6–8 textbooks for History (Our Pasts I, II, III), Geography (The Earth: Our Habitat, Our Environment, Resources and Development), and Civics/Social and Political Life (I, II, III) — six books in total. These are the primary source for all Paper 2 Social Studies content questions.​

Q. Does clearing CTET guarantee a government teaching job?
No. CTET is an eligibility test — it certifies you as eligible to apply for teaching posts. Actual appointment depends on state or central government teacher recruitment drives (TGT, PRT posts in KVS, NVS, state-level recruitment) where CTET-qualified candidates are eligible to apply.