Exam Comparison

CTET vs State TET 2026

CTET 2026 is a national-level teacher eligibility test conducted by CBSE valid for central government schools (KVS, NVS, Army Schools); State TET is conducted by individual states and is mandatory for teaching in that state's government schools.

Last updated: July 4, 2026

Parameter	CTET 2026	State TET (UPTET/REET/HP TET)
Conducting Body	CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education)	State Education Board / Recruitment Board
Validity	Lifetime (since 2021)	Varies by state — 5 to 7 years typically
Applicable For	KVS, NVS, Army Schools, Central Tibetan Schools	State government schools of that specific state
Papers	Paper 1 (Class 1–5) and Paper 2 (Class 6–8)	Paper 1 (Primary) and Paper 2 (Upper Primary) — varies
Frequency	Usually twice a year	Once or twice a year (state-dependent)
Medium	20 languages available	State language + Hindi + English typically
Cut-off	60% for General (90/150), 55% for reserved	60% typically, some states have 55% for reserved
Recognition	Pan-India for central schools only	Only in that specific state
Vacancies Access	KVS (13,000+), NVS (2,300+), Army schools	State TGT/PRT vacancies — lakhs across India
Salary (after job)	₹35,400–₹1,12,400 (KVS/NVS pay scales)	₹9,300–₹44,900 (varies by state and post)
Competition	Very high — national level	High — state level
Eligibility	B.Ed or D.El.Ed as per NCTE norms	B.Ed / D.El.Ed as per state norms

Choose CTET 2026 if…

Give CTET if you want to teach in KVS, NVS, or Army schools with central government pay scales and job security. CTET score is now valid for lifetime.

CTET 2026 full details →

Choose State TET (UPTET/REET/HP TET) if…

Give State TET if you want to teach in your home state's government schools. State teacher jobs are far more in number — lakhs of vacancies open each year across all states.

State TET (UPTET/REET/HP TET) full details →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CTET valid for state government teacher jobs?▼

No. CTET is valid only for Central Government schools like KVS, NVS, Army Schools, and Sainik Schools. For state government teacher recruitment, you need the respective State TET (UPTET for UP, REET for Rajasthan, HP TET for Himachal Pradesh, etc.).

Do I need both CTET and State TET?▼

If you want to apply for both central and state school jobs, yes — you need both. Many serious teaching aspirants clear CTET and their home state TET to maximise opportunities.

How long is CTET valid?▼

Since 2021, CTET certificate is valid for a lifetime. Earlier it was 7 years. State TET validity varies — UPTET is 5 years, REET is 3 years, and some states have 7-year validity.

Which TET is accepted for the most jobs?▼

In terms of sheer volume, State TET covers more jobs — each state recruits thousands of teachers requiring state TET. CTET covers central school vacancies (KVS ~13,000+, NVS ~2,300+) which are prestigious but smaller in number.

More Comparisons

SSC CGL vs SSC CHSL 2026

SSC CGL 2026 requires a graduate degree with 15,000+ vacancies for Group B/C gazetted posts; SSC CHSL 2026 requires 12th pass with 3,000+ vacancies for Lower Division Clerk and Data Entry Operator posts.

IBPS PO vs SBI PO 2026

IBPS PO 2026 offers 6,715 vacancies across 11 public sector banks with a Prelims–Mains–Interview structure; SBI PO 2026 offers 1,500 vacancies at India's largest bank with a three-phase selection including a Group Exercise.

RRB NTPC vs RRB Group D 2026

RRB NTPC 2026 requires graduation or 12th pass for clerical and junior officer posts; RRB Group D 2026 requires only 10th pass or ITI and fills 22,195 trackman and helper vacancies — the largest Indian Railways recruitment.

NDA vs CDS 2026

NDA 2026 is for 12th-pass unmarried male candidates (17.5–23 years) joining the Army, Navy, or Air Force before graduation; CDS 2026 is for graduates seeking permanent commission as officers in all three defence services.

UPSC IAS vs SSC CGL 2026

UPSC IAS (CSE) 2026 selects ~1,000 candidates for Group A gazetted officer posts like IAS, IPS, and IFS through a year-long 3-stage process; SSC CGL 2026 selects 15,000+ candidates for Group B/C posts in a faster 2-stage online exam.