The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2025 December session is creating excitement with big changes expected in the exam pattern! The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is set to release the official CTET 2025 notification in August 2025 on its website, ctet.nic.in. This national-level exam, held twice a year, qualifies teachers for Classes 1 to 8 in central government schools like Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS). With the notification just around the corner, aspiring teachers should stay ready to apply and prepare for the updated exam format. Don’t miss this chance to kickstart your teaching career!
What’s New in CTET 2025?
The CTET 2025 December session is expected to bring changes to the exam pattern, focusing more on conceptual understanding, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Unlike previous years, the updated pattern will test less factual knowledge and more practical teaching skills. Questions will assess how well candidates understand their subjects, teaching methods, and the school curriculum. The exam will still have two papers: Paper 1 for teaching Classes 1 to 5 and Paper 2 for Classes 6 to 8. Candidates aiming to teach both levels must appear for both papers. These changes aim to ensure teachers are ready for modern classrooms.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus Overview
The CTET 2025 exam will remain a pen-and-paper test with 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) per paper, each carrying one mark and no negative marking. The duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes per paper. Paper 1 includes Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, Mathematics, and Environmental Studies. Paper 2 covers Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, and either Mathematics/Science or Social Studies. The syllabus follows the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005 and the Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009. Here’s a quick look at the exam structure:
| Paper | Teaching Level | Sections | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Classes 1–5 | 5 sections | 150 |
| Paper 2 | Classes 6–8 | 4 sections | 150 |
The new focus on conceptual questions means candidates should practice applying knowledge rather than memorizing facts.
How to Apply for CTET 2025
The application process for CTET 2025 will start soon after the notification is released in August 2025. Candidates can apply online at ctet.nic.in by following these steps:
- Visit ctet.nic.in and click “New Registration.”
- Fill in your details like name, Aadhaar number, and mobile number to get a registration number.
- Log in using the registration number and password.
- Complete the application form, upload a photo, signature, and ID proof.
- Pay the fee (₹1000 for one paper, ₹1200 for both for General/OBC; ₹500/₹600 for SC/ST/PwD).
- Submit the form and print it for future use.
The last date to apply will be mentioned in the notification. Keep your documents ready to avoid last-minute stress.
Eligibility and Preparation Tips
To apply for CTET 2025, candidates must be Indian citizens with no upper age limit. For Paper 1, you need a Senior Secondary certificate with 50% marks and a Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed). For Paper 2, a graduation degree or a D.El.Ed is required. Check the official notification for full details. To prepare, focus on NCERT books for Classes 1 to 8, as they cover the core syllabus. Practice previous years’ papers and mock tests to understand the new question types. Child Development and Pedagogy is a high-scoring section, so study it well. Stay updated by visiting ctet.nic.in regularly for news on admit cards and exam dates.
What Happens After the Exam?
The CTET 2025 December exam is expected to take place in December 2025, with Paper 2 from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM and Paper 1 from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Admit cards will be available two days before the exam. After the exam, CBSE will release a provisional answer key, allowing candidates to raise objections. The final answer key and results will follow by February 2026. General category candidates need 60% (90/150 marks) to pass, while SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates need 55% (82/150 marks). The CTET certificate is valid for life, opening doors to teaching jobs in KVS, NVS, and other schools.
Why You Should Act Now
With the notification expected in August 2025, now is the time to start preparing. The new exam pattern means you’ll need to focus on practical skills and understanding, not just rote learning. Download the syllabus from ctet.nic.in and start studying NCERT books. Practice mock tests to improve speed and accuracy. The CTET 2025 certificate is a golden ticket to a teaching career in top schools, with salaries ranging from ₹35,000 to ₹50,000 per month. Check state-specific portals like scholarship.odisha.gov.in for extra scholarship opportunities if you’re from SC/ST/OBC categories. Get ready, apply early, and take your first step toward becoming a teacher!