Many teaching candidates often wonder the difference between CTET and State TET, especially when it decides which exam to take for the teaching career. Both Central Teacher Eligibility Testing (CTET) and State Teacher Eligibility Testing (State TET) are examinations eligible for candidates who want to become teachers in government or aided schools. While CTET is conducted at the national level by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and is valid for central government schools such as KVS, NVS, and Army schools, the state’s TETs are conducted by the state governments for recruitment in their state-driven schools. Candidates often get confused about whose efforts- CTET or State Tate- especially if they aim to teach in a specific area. In the section below, we break the major differences and benefits of both CTET and State TET to guide the candidates to choose the right path to prepare for their TET exam.
What is CTET?
CTET, or Central Teacher Eligibility Test, is a national level examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in India. It is designed to assess the eligibility of candidates wishing to become teachers in central government schools such as central government schools such as Kandriya Vidyalayala (KVS), Jawahar Navidya Vidyalayas (JNVs), and under the administrative control of the center states in other schools. In these institutions, qualification of CTET is an essential requirement for teaching positions.
What is the state tate?
Aspiring teachers in India need to clear a compulsory state-level examination teacher eligibility test (TET) conducted by the respective State Education Boards. Usually known as the state tate, this examination assesses the eligibility of a candidate and teaches qualifications for primary and upper primary school posts within that specific state. It is necessary to clean the state TET with the aim of securing the government in the state and the government in the jurisdiction of the state, ensuring that they have the basic skills and subject knowledge required to teach effectively.
CTET vs TET exam body
In the following table, candidates will get more information about various TET exams and bodies of their examination conduct. CTET is conducted by CBSE at the national level. State TET exams are conducted at the state level by various state examinations.
| Exam name | level | Examination body |
| Central teacher eligibility test | National | Central board of secondary education |
| Urtar State Teacher Eligibility Test (UPTET) | State | Uttar Pradesh Education Services Selection Commission (UPESC) |
| Bihar State Teacher Eligibility Test (BSTET) | State | Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) |
| Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (Maha Tate) | State | Maharashtra State Examination Council (MSCE) |
| Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET) | State | BSE Odisha |
| Tamil Nadu Teacher Eligibility Test (TNTET) | State | Teacher Recruitment Board, Tamil Nadu |
| Himachal Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test (HPTET) | State | Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBOSE) |
| Chhattisgarh Teacher Eligibility Test (CG TET) | State | CG Vyapam or CPEB |
| Odisha Secondary School Teacher Eligibility Test (OSSTET) | State | BSE Odisha |
| Meghalaya Teacher Eligibility Test (MTET) | State | Directorate of Educational Research and Training (DERT) |
| Madhya Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test (MP Tate) | State | MP Vyapam or MPPEB |
| Karnataka Teacher Eligibility Test (Map) | State | State Education Board of Karnataka |
| Rajasthan Eligibility Test for Teacher (REET) | State | Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan (RBSE) |
| Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test (KTET) | State | Kerala Paraxa Bhawan |
| West Bengal Teacher Eligibility Test (WBTET) | State | West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE) |
| Andhra Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test (APTET) | State | School Education Department, AP Government |
| Tripura Teacher Eligibility Test (T-Tet) | State | Teacher Recruitment Board, Tripura |
| Telangana State Teacher Eligibility Test (TSTET) | State | School Education Department, Government of Telangana |
| Bihar Teacher Eligibility Test | State | Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) |
| Punjab State Teacher Eligibility Test (PSTET) | State | Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) |
| Haryana Teacher Eligibility Test (HTET) | State | Haryana Board of School Education (BSEH) |
| Uttarakhand Teacher Eligibility Test (UTET) | State | Uttarakhand School Education Board (UBSE) |
What is the difference between CTET and TET?
There are two major eligibility test CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) and State Tate to teach aspirations in India. CTET operated by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) receives candidates to apply for teaching positions like Central Government schools such as Kandriya Vidyalayala (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya (NVS), and DSSSB. Once the candidates clean the CTET, they receive a eligibility certificate, which allows them to apply for various central teaching vacancies across the country.
On the other hand, the state’s tate is organized by the individual state governments to recruit teachers in schools run by the state. These examinations are only valid within the respective state, and the candidates who have qualified are not eligible for the posts of the Central School. For example, if you are aiming for a teaching work in the schools of Rajasthan State Government, then you have to clean the REIT (Rajasthan Eligibility Test for Teachers) or Rajasthan Tate. Understanding this distinction is important for candidates planning their teaching career based on their target institutions.
Major points of Difference CTET vs TET
The table below exposes significant differences between CTET and State TET exams to help candidates understand who aligns with their career goals. From examination level and circle to application process and job opportunities, both examinations serve various objectives. See comparison to make an informed decision for your teaching career.
| key points | CTET | State tet |
| Conduct the exam | It is organized by CBSE from the central government. | This is done by various state government education boards |
| All exam information | It is held twice a year. | This is done according to the validity of the vacancies In state government schools, |
| Age limit for exam | There is no upper age limit | This includes age criteria according to various posts of teachers. |
| Primary medium of paper | A CTET exam is completely comfortable in every language. | The TET exam requires the necessary flow in the state language. |
| Teaching jobs | The job is safe in central government schools. | The posts are safe in state government schools. |
| Verification of certificate | CTET exam is certified for life time. | The verification of the certificate depends on the Board of Education. |
| Application fee | CTET’s single paper Rs. 1000. However, you have Rs. 1200 for both exams. | The application fee varies according to the state. |
CTET and State TET exam pattern
The composition of CTET and State TET exams is divided into paper 1 and paper 2, with subject options affecting specific materials. Both papers follow a multi-passe question (MCQ) format, where each question has four options and only one correct answer. Paper 1 is designed for candidates wishing to teach class 1 to 5 and include five sections, each of which has 30 questions, there are a total of 150 questions. Paper 2, for teaching classes 6 to 8, including four parts: three sections with each 30 questions, and a subject-specific section with 60 questions. This subject is selected on the basis of their expertise by the field candidate. This clear division ensures that the examination evaluates both basic teaching capacity and subject-specific expertise.
Note: In some state, the TET exam is not the same because CTET may vary according to the state TET notification.
| Generic exam pattern- CTET and TET 2025 | |||||
| paper | Subject name | Number of questions | paper | Subject name | Number of questions |
| Paper-I (Class I-Class v) | Child development and education | 30 | Paper -II (Class V- Class VIII) | Child development and education | 30 |
| Language I (compulsory) and subject related education | 30 | Language I (compulsory) and subject related education | 30 | ||
| Language II (compulsory) and related education | 30 | Language II (compulsory) and related education | 30 | ||
| Mathematics and subject related education | 30 | Mathematics and science and subject related education Or Social studies/social science and subject related education |
60 | ||
| Environmental studies and subject related education | 30 | ||||
| total marks | 150 | total marks | 150 | ||
| Negative marking | No | Negative marking | No | ||
CTET and TET question papers highlights
Mainly, the examination patterns of CTET and TET exams have the same design. Both exams are included Paper -1 and Paper -2 ModeYou can apply for both exams with necessary qualificationsIf you want to become a primary teacher, you have to go for Paper -1. However, you should go for paper -2 if you want to join a secondRY teacher.
| Description | CTET and TET exam paper -1 | CTET and TET exam paper -2 |
| Examination method | It is an offline mode examination and is conducted on the OMR sheet. | It is also an offline-based exam and is conducted on the OMR sheet. |
| Type of question | CTET and TET exam contain multiple choice questions. | CTET and TET exams include multiple choice questions. |
| Duration of both exams | Total 150 minutes. | This is a total of 150 minutes. |
| Marks of both exams | 150 digits | 150 digits |
| marking scheme | Each question carries a mark. | Each question carries a mark. |
| Negative marking | There is no negative marking for both exams. | There is no negative marking for CTET and TET exam. |
Career possibilities after CTET and State TET
Candidates preparing for the upcoming CTET or state TET exam should remain focused and optimistic, as many teaching job opportunities are opening across the country. Announcing TGT, PRT, and PGT recruitment with DSSSB, NVS, and various state education boards, it is a golden opportunity for teachers’ aspiring teachers to secure government jobs. The CTET 2025 notification will soon be live on the official website, which will be the right time to do this work. Once you qualify CTET or State TET, you are eligible to apply for teaching positions in prestigious central government schools through Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and DSSSB recruitment drives.
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