
A teacher eligibility test (TET) is conducted every year to check the eligibility of candidates for their appointments as teachers in government or private schools. TET is conducted by both the central government and the state government.
CTET is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) twice a year. Candidates with qualified CTET are eligible to become teachers in central government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS).
Table of content
- The eligibility criterion for TET
- Can we appear in the TET exam without a B.Ed?
- Conclusion
- FAQs
The eligibility criterion for TET
Nationality
To be eligible for TET, the candidate must be an Indian citizen, a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a Tibetan Refugee (migrating to India) before January 1, 1962.
Age limit
The minimum age to be eligible for TET is 18 years. There is no upper age limit for the exam. Some states do have an upper age limit, such as UPTET. The age limit is as follows: Unreserved (18-35 years), OBC (18-38 years) and SC/ST (18-40 years), and physically challenged (18-45 years)
Qualification
Candidates eligible for TET should be class 12 passed or a graduate from a recognized university with a minimum of 45 percent marks.
Candidates should have obtained a Diploma in Education or Bachelor o Education (B.Ed) or completed any other teacher training course or program.
Other eligibilities
There is no upper limit for the number of attempts in the TET exam.
Can we appear in the TET exam without a B.Ed?
- Teachers are essential in imparting knowledge and education to students. In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has decided to make the TET and CTET mandatory for all teachers.
- After completing a B.Ed., candidates must pass the TET exam to be eligible to teach at all government schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, DSSSB, and Army/Air Force schools. With a B.Ed. degree in teaching, the candidate can teach students from grades 6 to 12. B.Ed is a two-year program. The candidate after completing the B.Ed can appear for TET and CTET (combined teacher eligibility test).
- In April 2022, Madras HC said “Teachers who did not pass the TET exam cannot continue their services”. When rejecting a group of writ petitions, Justice D Krishnakumar made the decision and instructed the relevant authorities to strictly follow the directives provided by the School Education Secretary through a letter dated May 2, 2019, failing which suitable legal action will be taken.
- Vishnukant S Chatpalli, vice chancellor, of Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University said “Teachers are important in providing quality education. Qualifying for TET is mandatory to recruit the best teachers. To make TET and CTET tests available to instructors in classes 12 and 13, NCTE is creating all-inclusive rules and test format elements”.
- UN Khaware, an advisor of Navodhya Vidhyala Samility (NVS) said that “B.Ed is obtained from various colleges across India. The degree can be obtained by various means which can even be unethical. The TET exam will help understand teacher aptitude and help filter out the best candidate for teaching”.
- Shilpika Das (PGT, English) from Lotus Valley International School, Noida said “ Teacher quality and standard teacher recruitment protocols are essential. This will bring all teachers under the same umbrella, irrespective of the grades they are teaching, and also maintain equality and equity.
Conclusion
Teachers are essential in imparting knowledge and education to students. After completing a B.Ed., candidates must pass the TET exam to be eligible to teach at all government schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, DSSSB, and Army/Air Force schools. With a B.Ed. degree in teaching, the candidate can teach students from grades 6 to 12. B.Ed is a two-year program. The candidate after completing the B.Ed can appear for TET and CTET (combined teacher eligibility test).
Also check:- Which is The Best Online Coaching for CTET and TET Exam?
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Q1. What is the possibility for teachers who are in service and wants to pursue B. Ed?
Ans-Teachers who want to pursue a B.Ed during their period of service can apply for B.Ed distant programs. Some colleges offer distance B.Ed programs for in-service teachers. They just need some period of experience and based on that, B.Ed can be pursued.
Q2. Is CTET an eligibility criterion for teaching in government schools?
Ans- CTET is mandatory for teaching in all government schools across the country.
Q3. What is the eligibility criterion for B.Ed?
Ans- To be eligible for B.Ed, an individual should be graduated from any recognized university with a minimum of 50 percent marks.
Q4. Which is better CTET or TET?
Ans- The TET exam is the eligibility criterion for teaching in government schools in respective states whereas CTET is for teaching across various public and private schools throughout the country.