CTET Syllabus 2026: Official PDF for Paper 1 & 2 Exam Pattern

Candidates preparing for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026 should thoroughly review the exam pattern and comprehensive subject-wise syllabus to build a strategic study plan.

CTET 2026 Exam Syllabus

The CTET examination is divided into two parts: Paper 1 is designed for candidates aspiring to teach Classes 1 to 5, while Paper 2 is for those targeting teaching positions for Classes 6 to 8.

Both papers feature 150 objective-type questions in an offline format with no negative marking. Aligning your study schedule with the official CBSE CTET Paper 1 & 2 Syllabus 2026 helps you focus on high-yield topics and optimize your preparation time.

CTET 2026 Exam Structure

CTET Exam Pattern 2026 (Paper 1 & 2)

Gaining a clear understanding of the exam pattern is the first step toward success. The CTET 2026 exam consists of two distinct levels: Paper 1 for the primary stage (Classes 1–5) and Paper 2 for the elementary stage (Classes 6–8).

• There will be 150 multiple-choice questions (OMR-based) in each paper.
• There will be no negative marking for any incorrect answers.

CTET 2026 Notification Released: Click Here to View

CTET Paper 1 Exam Pattern 2026

CTET Paper 1 covers five key sections: Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I & II, Mathematics, and Environmental Studies (EVS).

CTET Paper 2 Exam Pattern 2026

CTET Paper 2 comprises four sections: Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I & II, and either Mathematics/Science or Social Studies/Social Science, based on the candidate's subject specialization.

What is the CTET Syllabus 2026?

The CTET 2026 syllabus is structured into two separate papers to test pedagogical and subject-specific knowledge.

• Paper 1 covers Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, Mathematics, and Environmental Studies for Primary Level teachers.
• Paper 2 covers Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, and either Mathematics & Science or Social Studies/Social Science for Upper Primary teachers.

CTET Paper 1 Syllabus 2026 (Classes 1 to 5 – Primary Stage)

CTET Paper 1 evaluates candidates on Language I & II, Child Development and Pedagogy, Mathematics, and Environmental Studies. Below is the detailed breakdown of the CTET Syllabus 2026 for the Primary Stage (Classes I-V):

1. Child Development and Pedagogy

2. Mathematics

3. Environmental Studies

4. Language 1

5. Language 2

CTET Paper 2 Syllabus 2026 (Classes 6 to 8 – Upper Primary Stage)

The CTET Paper 2 syllabus covers specific academic domains essential for elementary teaching. A thorough grasp of these topics is critical to excelling in the 2026 exam. The detailed subject-wise syllabus is outlined below.

1. Child Development and Pedagogy – 30 Questions

a) Child Development (Elementary School Child) – 15 Questions

(i) Concept of development and its relationship with learning
(ii) Principles of child development
(iii) Influence of heredity and environment
(iv) Socialisation processes: Social world of the child (Teacher, Parents, Peers)
(v) Theories of Piaget, Kohlberg, and Vygotsky
(vi) Child-centred and progressive education
(vii) Critical perspective of intelligence
(viii) Multi-dimensional intelligence
(ix) Language and thought
(x) Gender as a social construct; individual differences in diversity of language, caste, gender, and religion
(xi) Assessment for learning vs. of learning; school-based assessment and CCE
(xii) Formulating questions to assess learner achievement and critical thinking

b) Concept of Inclusive Education and Understanding Children with Special Needs – 5 Questions

(i) Supporting learners from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds
(ii) Addressing learning difficulties and impairments
(iii) Supporting talented, creative, and specially-abled learners

c) Learning and Pedagogy – 10 Questions

(i) Understanding how children think and factors behind school success or failure
(ii) Basic teaching-learning processes; social context of learning
(iii) Child as a problem solver and scientific investigator
(iv) Interpreting children's errors as integral to the learning process
(v) Cognition and emotions
(vi) Motivation and learning
(vii) Personal and environmental contributors to learning

2. Language 1 – 30 Questions

a) Language Comprehension – 15 Questions

Reading comprehension based on two unseen passages (prose/drama/poem) testing inference, grammar, and verbal ability.

b) Pedagogy of Language Development – 15 Questions

(i) Language acquisition and learning
(ii) Principles of teaching
(iii) Listening and speaking roles; language as a tool
(iv) Grammar in context
(v) Classroom diversity and learning disorders
(vi) Language skills
(vii) Proficiency evaluation
(viii) Teaching-learning materials and classroom resources
(ix) Remedial instruction

3. Language 2 – 30 Questions

a) Comprehension – 15 Questions

Two unseen prose passages (discursive, literary, narrative, or scientific) focusing on comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary.

b) Pedagogy of Language Development – 15 Questions

(i) Learning and acquisition principles
(ii) Principles of language instruction
(iii) Role of listening and speaking
(iv) Critical perspective on grammar
(v) Managing diversity and learning errors
(vi) Essential language skills
(vii) Evaluating proficiency
(viii) Classroom teaching materials and multimedia resources
(ix) Remedial teaching

4. Mathematics and Science – 60 Questions

Mathematics – 30 Questions

a) Content – 20 Questions

1. Number System
(i) Understanding Numbers
(ii) Playing with Numbers
(iii) Whole Numbers
(iv) Integers and Negative Numbers
(v) Fractions

2. Algebra
(i) Introduction to Algebra
(ii) Ratio and Proportion

3. Geometry
(i) Basic geometrical ideas (2D)
(ii) Understanding Elementary Shapes (2D and 3D)
(iii) Symmetry (Reflection)
(iv) Construction (Straight edge, scale, protractor, compasses)
(v) Mensuration
(vi) Data handling

b) Pedagogical Issues – 10 Questions

(i) Nature of Mathematics and logical thinking
(ii) Role of Mathematics in the curriculum
(iii) Language of Mathematics
(iv) Community Mathematics
(v) Evaluation techniques
(vi) Remedial teaching
(vii) Challenges in teaching Mathematics

5. Science – 30 Questions

a) Content – 20 Questions

1. Food
(i) Sources of food
(ii) Components of food
(iii) Food safety and cleaning

2. Materials
(i) Materials of daily use

3. The World of the Living

4. Moving Things, People, and Ideas

5. How things work
(i) Electric current and circuits
(ii) Magnets

6. Natural Phenomena

7. Natural Resources

b) Pedagogical Issues – 10 Questions

(i) Nature and structure of Sciences
(ii) Aims and objectives of Natural Science
(iii) Understanding and appreciating Science
(iv) Integrated approaches
(v) Scientific methods (Observation, Experiment, Discovery)
(vi) Innovation
(vii) Textual materials and teaching aids
(viii) Evaluation: cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains
(ix) Common problems
(x) Remedial teaching

6. Social Studies/Social Sciences – 60 Questions

a) Content – 40 Questions

1. History
(i) Early civilizations and societies
(ii) Evolution of farming and cities
(iii) Empires, political developments, and culture
(iv) Delhi Sultans, Mughals, and architecture
(v) Colonialism, 1857 Revolt, and social reforms
(vi) Nationalist movement and post-independence India

2. Geography
(i) Geography as a social and natural science
(ii) Planets, Earth, and Solar System
(iii) Environment (Air, Water)
(iv) Human Environment: settlement, transport, and communication
(v) Resources and Agriculture

3. Social and Political Life
(i) Diversity and Government
(ii) Democracy and Local/State Government
(iii) Understanding Media and Gender
(iv) The Constitution, Judiciary, and Parliamentary system
(v) Social Justice and Marginalisation

b) Pedagogical Issues

(i) Concept and nature of Social Science
(ii) Classroom processes and discourse
(iii) Critical thinking development
(iv) Empirical evidence and inquiry
(v) Problems in teaching Social Science
(vi) Primary and secondary sources
(vii) Project-based learning
(viii) Evaluation

CBSE CTET Syllabus 2026 PDF

The Central Board of Secondary Education has officially released the CTET Syllabus 2026 for Papers 1 and 2. For your convenience, we have provided the detailed syllabus PDF covering all essential topics for your 2026 examination preparation.