Teaching Exams 2026

Teaching examinations fall into two distinct types, and the difference matters. Eligibility tests such as the Central Teacher Eligibility Test and the National Eligibility Test certify that you are qualified to be considered for a teaching post — they do not, by themselves, give you a job. Recruitment examinations conducted by bodies such as Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti and the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board actually fill vacancies.

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test runs two papers: Paper 1 for candidates who want to teach Classes 1 to 5, and Paper 2 for Classes 6 to 8. Candidates aiming to teach across both levels may sit both. There is no negative marking, and the qualifying certificate is now valid for life.

The National Eligibility Test serves a different purpose again, determining eligibility for Assistant Professor posts and for the Junior Research Fellowship, and it also feeds into PhD admissions. Recruitment bodies typically add their own written examination, and often an interview or demonstration lesson, on top of whichever eligibility certificate they require.