The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a national-level examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for candidates who aspire to become teachers in primary and upper primary schools in India. CTET was introduced in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1) of Section 23 of the RTE Act.

CTET aims to ensure that only competent and qualified candidates are recruited as teachers for Classes I-VIII. The test is based on the National Curriculum Framework and is designed to assess a candidate’s knowledge and skills in subjects such as Child Development and Pedagogy, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, Language I, and Language II.

The rationale for introducing CTET is to bring national standards and benchmarks of teacher quality in the recruitment process. By setting a common standard for all candidates aspiring to become teachers in primary and upper primary schools, CTET ensures that only the best candidates are selected for these positions. It also helps to induce teacher education institutions and students from these institutions to further improve their performance standards.

CTET also sends a positive signal to all stakeholders that the Government lays special emphasis on teacher quality. It demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving the quality of education in the country and to ensuring that every child has access to qualified and competent teachers.