The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) syllabus encompasses a comprehensive range of topics crucial for evaluating the competency of aspiring teachers in India. It primarily consists of two papers: Paper-I, designed for candidates aiming to teach classes I to V, and Paper-II, tailored for those aspiring to instruct classes VI to VIII. Both papers include sections on Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, Mathematics, and Environmental Studies (for Paper-I) or Science and Social Studies/Social Science (for Paper-II). These subjects collectively evaluate the candidates’ understanding of child psychology, language proficiency, mathematical and scientific aptitude, as well as their grasp of social and environmental issues. A thorough grasp of the CTET syllabus equips aspiring educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in this crucial examination and ultimately contribute effectively to the nation’s education system.

Central Teacher Eligibility Test

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a competitive examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in India. The primary purpose of the CTET exam is to assess the eligibility of candidates for teaching positions in central government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, as well as in various other schools that accept the CTET qualification.

What is the syllabus of CTET Exam?

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) in India is conducted in two main stages:

• Paper I
• Paper II

The following is the CTET Exam Pattern: Paper I

There are five sections in the CTET Paper-I test. The following table lists the total number of questions and the distribution of marks for Paper 1:

• Child Development and Pedagogy
• Language I (Compulsory)
• Language II (Compulsory)
• Mathematics
• Environmental Studies 

Child Development and Pedagogy

a) Child Development (Primary School Child): 15 Questions

1. Concept of development and its relationship with learning
2. Principles of the development of children
3. Influence of Heredity & Environment
4. Socialization processes: Social world & children (Teacher, Parents, Peers)
5. Piaget, Kohlberg and Vygotsky: constructs and critical perspectives
6. Concepts of child-centred and progressive education
7. Critical perspective of the construct of Intelligence
8. Multi-Dimensional Intelligence
9. Language & Thought
10. Gender as a social construct; gender roles, gender-bias and educational practice
11. Individual differences among learners, understanding differences based on diversity of language, caste, gender, community, religion etc.
12. The distinction between Assessment for learning and assessment of learning; School-Based Assessment, Continuous & Comprehensive Evaluation: perspective and practice
13. Formulating appropriate questions for assessing readiness levels of learners; for enhancing learning and critical thinking in the classroom and for assessing learner achievement.

b) Concept of Inclusive education and understanding children with special needs: 5 Questions

1. Addressing learners from diverse backgrounds including disadvantaged and deprived
2. Addressing the needs of children with learning difficulties, ‘impairment’ etc.
3. Addressing the Talented, Creative, Specially abled Learners

c) Learning and Pedagogy: 10 Questions

1. How children think and learn; how and why children ‘fail’ to achieve success in school performance.
2. Basic processes of teaching and learning; children’s strategies of learning; learning as a social activity; social context of learning.
3. Child as a problem solver and a ‘scientific investigator’
4. Alternative conceptions of learning in children, understanding children’s ‘errors’ as significant steps in the learning process.
5. Cognition & Emotions
6. Motivation and learning
7. Factors contributing to learning – personal & environmental

II. Language I Syllabus- 30 Questions

a) Language Comprehension: 15 Questions

Reading unseen passages – two passages one prose or drama and one poem with questions on comprehension, inference, grammar and verbal ability (Prose passage may be literary, scientific, narrative or discursive)

b) Pedagogy of Language Development: 15 Questions

1. Learning and acquisition
2. Principles of language Teaching
3. Role of listening and speaking; function of language and how children use it as a tool
4. A critical perspective on the role of grammar in learning a language for communicating ideas verbally and in written form
5. Challenges of teaching language in a diverse classroom; language difficulties, errors and disorders
6. Language Skills
7. Evaluating language comprehension and proficiency: speaking, listening, reading and writing
8. Teaching-learning materials: Textbook, multi-media materials, multilingual resource of the classroom
9. Remedial Teaching

III. Language II Syllabus- 30 Questions

a) Comprehension: 15 Questions

Two unseen prose passages (discursive or literary or narrative or scientific) with questions on comprehension, grammar and verbal ability

b) Pedagogy of Language Development: 15 Questions

1. Learning and acquisition
2. Principles of language Teaching
3. Role of listening and speaking; function of language and how children use it as a tool
4. A critical perspective on the role of grammar in learning a language for communicating ideas verbally and in written form;
5. Challenges of teaching language in a diverse classroom; language difficulties, errors and disorders
6. Language Skills
7. Evaluating language comprehension and proficiency: speaking, listening, reading and writing
8. Teaching-learning materials: Textbook, multi-media materials, multilingual resource of the classroom
9. Remedial Teaching

IV. Mathematics Syllabus- 30 Questions

a) Content: 15 Questions

1. Geometry
2. Shapes & Spatial Understanding
3. Solids around Us
4. Numbers
5. Addition and Subtraction
6. Multiplication
7. Division
8. Measurement
9. Weight
10. Time
11. Volume
12. Data Handling
13. Patterns
14. Money

b) Pedagogical issues: 15 Questions

Nature of Mathematics/Logical thinking; understanding children’s thinking and reasoning patterns and strategies of making meaning and learning

1. Place of Mathematics in Curriculum
2. Language of Mathematics
3. Community Mathematics
4. Valuation through formal and informal methods
5. Problems of Teaching
6. Error analysis and related aspects of learning and teaching
7. Diagnostic and Remedial Teaching

V. Environmental Studies Syllabus- 30 Questions

a) Content: 15 Questions

I. Family and Friends:

• Relationships
• Work and Play
• Animals
• Plants

II. Food

III. Shelter

IV. Water

V. Travel

VI. Things We Make and Do

b) Pedagogical Issues: 15 Questions

1. Concept and scope of EVS
2. Significance of EVS, integrated EVS
3. Environmental Studies & Environmental Education
4. Learning Principles
5. Scope & relation to Science & Social Science
6. Approaches of presenting concepts
7. Activities
8. Experimentation/Practical Work
9. Discussion
10. CCE
11. Teaching material/Aids
12. Problems

The following is the CTET Exam Pattern: Paper II

The CTET Paper-I test consists of 4 components. In Paper 2, candidates must select between Mathematics and Science and Social Studies. Below is a list of the total number of questions and the distribution of marks for Paper 2:

• Child Development and Pedagogy
• Language I 
• Language II
• Mathematics & Science
  • Social Studies & Social Science

I. Child Development and Pedagogy

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

• Concept of development and its relationship with learning
• Principles of the development of children
• Influence of Heredity & Environment
• Socialization processes: Social world & children (Teacher, Parents, Peers)
• Piaget, Kohlberg and Vygotsky: constructs and critical perspectives
• Concepts of child-centred and progressive education
• Critical perspective of the construct of Intelligence
• Multi-Dimensional Intelligence
• Language & Thought
• Gender as a social construct; gender roles, gender-bias and educational practice
• Individual differences among learners, understanding differences based on diversity of language, caste, gender, community, religion etc.
• The distinction between Assessment for learning and assessment of learning; School-Based Assessment, Continuous & Comprehensive Evaluation: perspective and practice
• Formulating appropriate questions for assessing readiness levels of learners; for enhancing learning and critical thinking in the classroom and for assessing learner achievement.

b) Concept of Inclusive education and understanding children with special needs: 5 Questions

• Addressing learners from diverse backgrounds including disadvantaged and deprived
• Addressing the needs of children with learning difficulties, ‘impairment’ etc.
• Addressing the Talented, Creative, Specially abled Learners

c) Learning and Pedagogy: 10 Questions

• How children think and learn; how and why children ‘fail’ to achieve success in school performance.
• Basic processes of teaching and learning; children’s strategies of learning; learning as a social activity; social context of learning.
• Child as a problem solver and a ‘scientific investigator’
• Alternative conceptions of learning in children, understanding children’s ‘errors’ as significant steps in the learning process.
• Cognition & Emotions
• Motivation and learning
• Factors contributing to learning – personal & environmental

II. Language I Syllabus- 30 Questions

In the CTET Paper-I and Paper-II, there will be 30 questions to assess the candidate’s proficiency in the language they have chosen.

a) Language Comprehension: 15 Questions

Reading concealed sections that include two passages—one prose or drama and one poem—and verbal and grammar questions about comprehension and inference.

b) Pedagogy of Language Development: 15 Questions

• Learning and acquisition
• Principles of language Teaching
• Role of listening and speaking; function of language and how children use it as a tool
• A critical perspective on the role of grammar in learning a language for communicating ideas verbally and in written form; Challenges of teaching language in a diverse classroom; language difficulties, errors and disorders
• Language Skills
• Evaluating language comprehension and proficiency: speaking, listening, reading and writing
• Teaching-learning materials: Textbook, multi-media materials, multilingual resource of the classroom
• Remedial Teaching

III. Language II Syllabus- 30 Questions

The second language exam will be used to gauge the applicant’s proficiency in the English language. The CTET Paper-I and Paper-II each contain 30 questions.

a) Comprehension: 15 Questions

Two hidden written sections with comprehension, grammar, and verbal skills tests (discussive, literary, narrative, or scientific)

b) Pedagogy of Language Development: 15 Questions

• Learning and acquisition
• Principles of language Teaching
• Role of listening and speaking; function of language and how children use it as a tool
• A critical perspective on the role of grammar in learning a language for communicating ideas verbally and in written form; Challenges of teaching language in a diverse classroom; language difficulties, errors and disorders
• Language Skills
• Evaluating language comprehension and proficiency: speaking, listening, reading and writing
• Teaching-learning materials: Textbook, multi-media materials, multilingual resource of the classroom
• Remedial Teaching

IV. (A) Mathematics and Science Syllabus- 60 Questions

The subjects that will be covered in the science and mathematics sections can be checked by candidates. Math problems should be approached carefully and with tricks. There will be 30 math questions and 30 science questions.

(i) Mathematics: 30 Questions

a) Content: 20 Questions

• Number System
• Knowing our Numbers
• Playing with Numbers
• Whole Numbers
• Negative Numbers and Integers
• Fractions
• Algebra
• Introduction to Algebra
• Ratio and Proportion
• Geometry
• Basic geometrical ideas (2-D)
• Understanding Elementary Shapes (2-D and 3-D)
• Symmetry: (reflection)
• Construction (using Straight edge Scale, protractor, compasses)
• Mensuration
• Data handling

b) Pedagogical issues: 10 Questions

• Nature of Mathematics/Logical thinking
• Place of Mathematics in Curriculum
• Language of Mathematics
• Community Mathematics
• Evaluation
• Remedial Teaching
• Problem of Teaching

(ii) Science: 30 Questions

a) Content: 20 Questions

I. Food

• Sources of food
• Components of food
• Cleaning food

II. Materials

• Materials of daily use

III. The World of the Living

IV. Moving Things People and Ideas

V. How things work

• Electric current and circuits
• Magnets

VI. Natural Phenomena

VII. Natural Resources

b) Pedagogical issues: 10 Questions

• Nature & Structure of Sciences
• Natural Science/Aims & objectives
• Understanding & Appreciating Science
• Approaches/Integrated Approach
• Observation/Experiment/Discovery (Method of Science)
• Innovation
• Text Material/Aids
• Evaluation – cognitive/psychomotor/affective
• Problems
• Remedial Teaching

V. Social Studies/Social Sciences Syllabus- 60 Questions

The themes in this subject are split into two groups: the first group covers topics like history, geography, social life, and politics, while the second group covers pedagogical concerns. There will be 40 questions for every 20 total.

I. History

In order to do well in this area, you must have a solid grasp of historical occasions, days, and dates. The following themes will be the focus of the questions.

• When, Where and How
• The Earliest Societies
• The First Farmers and Herders
• The First Cities
• Early States
• New Ideas
• The First Empire
• Contacts with Distant lands
• Political Developments
• Culture and Science
• New Kings and Kingdoms
• Sultans of Delhi
• Architecture
• Creation of an Empire
• Social Change
• Regional Cultures
• The Establishment of Company Power
• Rural Life and Society
• Colonialism and Tribal Societies
• The Revolt of 1857-58
• Women and reform
• Challenging the Caste System
• The Nationalist Movement
• • India After Independence

II. Geography

Though it is challenging for anyone to fully comprehend India’s topography unless they delve deeply into it. Although CBSE has added a Geography subject for CTET Paper-II, you just need to prepare for a handful of the topics that are listed here.

• Geography as a social study and as a science
• Planet: Earth in the solar system
• Globe
• Environment in its totality: natural and human environment
• Air
• Water
• Human Environment: settlement, transport and communication
• Resources: Types-Natural and Human
• Agriculture

III. Social and Political Life

The knowledge of the candidate’s surroundings will be tested in this area, and the topics that they must be familiar with are given below.

• Diversity
• Government
• Local Government
• Making a Living
• Democracy
• State Government
• Understanding Media
• Unpacking Gender
• The Constitution
• Parliamentary Government
• The Judiciary
• Social Justice and the Marginalised

b) Pedagogical issues

This component will consist of 20 questions, and its goal will be to gauge the candidate’s intelligence and alertness to pedagogical difficulties. The following list includes the subjects that will be covered in this section:

• Concept & Nature of Social Science/Social Studies
• Class Room Processes, activities and discourse
• Developing Critical thinking
• Enquiry/Empirical Evidence
• Problems of teaching Social Science/Social Studies
• Sources – Primary & Secondary
• Projects Work
• Evaluation

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