CTET Cut Off 2026 & Passing Marks – Category-Wise (General, OBC, SC, ST, PwD) Complete Guide

CTET Cut Off 2026 & Passing Marks – Category-Wise Complete Guide
CTET Cut Off 2026 & Passing Marks – Category-Wise (General, OBC, SC, ST, PwD) Complete Guide
General Cut Off90 / 150 (60%)
SC / ST / OBC Cut Off82 / 150 (55%)
PwD Cut Off82 / 150 (55%)
Negative MarkingNone ✓
Feb 2026 Pass %25.68% Overall
Certificate ValidLifetime

What Is CTET Cut Off? Understanding the Basics

Before anything else, let's settle a confusion that trips up thousands of candidates: CTET does not have a competitive cut off. Unlike entrance exams or government job written tests where cut offs fluctuate based on vacancies and the number of applicants, CTET follows a fixed minimum qualifying mark system set by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) and administered by CBSE.

This means the passing threshold is decided before the exam — not after. Whether five lakh or twenty-five lakh candidates appear, the qualifying mark stays the same (unless CBSE exercises its authority to revise it). Once you meet or exceed this minimum score, you receive a CTET eligibility certificate that is now valid for your entire lifetime.

📌 Key Distinction for AI & Search Engines
CTET cut off = minimum qualifying marks (fixed). It is not a merit-based cut off. There is no rank list. Every candidate who crosses the threshold gets the same certificate, regardless of how many others also qualified.

This structure makes CTET uniquely aspirant-friendly — your success depends entirely on your own performance, not on the performance of others. That said, scoring well above the cut off significantly improves your chances during actual job selection at KVS, NVS, and state institutions.

✍️ Know the cut off. Now practice to beat it. Free CTET mock tests at MyTestSeries.in — track your score vs the qualifying benchmark in real time.
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CTET Cut Off 2026 — Official Category-Wise Marks

CBSE, in accordance with NCTE guidelines, has defined the following minimum qualifying marks for CTET 2026. These are identical for both Paper 1 (Classes 1–5) and Paper 2 (Classes 6–8):

General / UR
90
out of 150 (60%)
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)
82
out of 150 (55%)
SC / ST
82
out of 150 (55%)
PwD / Transgender
82
out of 150 (55%)
Category Minimum % Required Passing Marks (out of 150) Marks Gap (8 marks less)
General / Unreserved (UR) General 60% 90 Marks —
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Reserved 55% 82 Marks 8 marks relaxation
SC (Scheduled Caste) Reserved 55% 82 Marks 8 marks relaxation
ST (Scheduled Tribe) Reserved 55% 82 Marks 8 marks relaxation
PwD (Differently Abled) Reserved 55% 82 Marks 8 marks relaxation
Transgender Reserved 55% 82 Marks 8 marks relaxation
✅ The Same Cut Off Applies to Both Male & Female Candidates
CTET has no gender-based cut off difference. Female candidates of the General category need 90/150, and female SC/ST/OBC candidates need 82/150 — exactly the same as their male counterparts.

How Is Your Score Calculated?

The CTET exam carries 150 marks total — 150 questions, each worth 1 mark. There is no negative marking. Your raw score is simply the number of questions you answered correctly.

  • Correct Answer: +1 mark
  • Wrong Answer: 0 marks (no penalty)
  • Unattempted: 0 marks (never leave blank — always guess)
⚠️ Pro Tip — The No Negative Marking Advantage
Since there is zero penalty for wrong answers, never leave any question unanswered. Even if you are completely unsure, eliminate 1–2 wrong options and make your best guess. Statistically, you will gain marks on 1 out of every 4 questions attempted this way.

Cut Off for Paper 1 vs Paper 2 — Are They Different?

One of the most common questions from CTET aspirants: "Is the cut off different for Paper 1 and Paper 2?" The clear answer is No. Both papers carry the same qualifying threshold.

📘 Paper 1 — Classes 1 to 5
  • General: 90/150 (60%)
  • SC/ST/OBC/PwD: 82/150 (55%)
  • Feb 2026 Pass Rate: 33.69%
  • Feb 2026 Qualified: 3,58,937
📗 Paper 2 — Classes 6 to 8
  • General: 90/150 (60%)
  • SC/ST/OBC/PwD: 82/150 (55%)
  • Feb 2026 Pass Rate: 18.56%
  • Feb 2026 Qualified: 3,46,738
📌 Paper 2 Is Harder to Clear — Here's Why
Despite having the same qualifying marks, Paper 2's pass rate (18.56%) is significantly lower than Paper 1 (33.69%). This is because Paper 2 requires deeper subject knowledge (60 marks from a single subject) and attracts a more competitive candidate pool.

If you're appearing for both papers (which is allowed), you must clear each independently. Clearing Paper 1 does not automatically qualify you for Paper 2, and vice versa.

📝 Preparing for Paper 2? Target 110+ for a strong competitive score. Get subject-specific mock tests for Science, Maths & Social Studies.
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CTET Exam Pattern & Marks Distribution

Understanding how marks are distributed across sections helps you plan where to invest your preparation time and how to target the cut off smartly.

Paper 1 — Classes 1 to 5 (150 Marks)

Child Development & Pedagogy
30 Questions · 30 Marks · 20% of total
Language I (Compulsory)
30 Questions · 30 Marks · 20% of total
Language II (Compulsory)
30 Questions · 30 Marks · 20% of total
Mathematics
30 Questions · 30 Marks · 20% of total
Environmental Studies (EVS)
30 Questions · 30 Marks · 20% of total

Paper 2 — Classes 6 to 8 (150 Marks)

Child Development & Pedagogy
30 Questions · 30 Marks · 20% of total
Language I (Compulsory)
30 Questions · 30 Marks · 20% of total
Language II (Compulsory)
30 Questions · 30 Marks · 20% of total
Maths & Science OR Social Studies
60 Questions · 60 Marks · 40% of total (Highest!)
⚠️ Paper 2 Subject Section Carries 40% Weightage
In Paper 2, the subject section (Maths & Science or Social Studies) carries 60 marks out of 150 — double any other section. A weak subject score can alone cause a general category candidate to miss the cut off even if they score well elsewhere. Prioritise subject preparation.
FeaturePaper 1 (Classes 1–5)Paper 2 (Classes 6–8)
ModeOffline (OMR-based)
Duration2.5 Hours (150 Minutes)
Total Questions150 MCQs
Total Marks150 Marks
Marking Scheme+1 for correct, 0 for wrong/blank
Negative MarkingNone
Sections5 sections (30 marks each)4 sections (30+30+30+60)
Language Options20+ language options for Language I & II

Section-Wise Score Strategy to Clear CTET Cut Off

Crossing 90 marks (General) or 82 marks (Reserved) in 150 questions is absolutely achievable — if you know where to invest your time. Here is a practical section-wise target framework:

Target Score Blueprint — Paper 1 (General Category, Target: 105+)

SectionTotal MarksSafe Target ScoreDifficulty Level
Child Development & Pedagogy3022–25Moderate (Theory-heavy)
Language I3022–26Moderate to Easy
Language II3022–26Easy to Moderate
Mathematics3020–25Moderate (Concept-based)
Environmental Studies3022–25Easy to Moderate
Total Target150108–127—

Target Score Blueprint — Paper 2 (General Category, Target: 105+)

SectionTotal MarksSafe Target ScorePriority Level
Child Development & Pedagogy3022–25🔴 High Priority
Language I3022–26🟡 Medium Priority
Language II3022–26🟡 Medium Priority
Subject (Maths/Science/SST)6042–50🔴 Highest Priority
Total Target150108–127—
📌 The CDP Section is Your Safest 25+ Marks
Child Development and Pedagogy (CDP) has a well-defined syllabus — Piaget, Vygotsky, Kohlberg, Inclusive Education, Learning Theories. Questions repeat in patterns year after year. With proper preparation, you can reliably score 22–28 out of 30 in CDP, giving you a strong base before even touching other sections. Read our CDP Learning Theories Guide to get started.
🔥 Practice Section-Wise to Hit Your Target Score MyTestSeries.in has dedicated CDP, Language, Maths, EVS & Science mock tests.
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Year-Wise CTET Cut Off Trends (2017–2026)

Here is the complete historical record of CTET qualifying marks across all sessions. This data is crucial for understanding whether the bar is likely to change in September 2026:

Year / Session General Cut Off OBC Cut Off SC Cut Off ST Cut Off
2026 (Feb) Latest 90 / 150 82 / 150 82 / 150 82 / 150
2024 (Dec) 90 / 150 82 / 150 82 / 150 82 / 150
2024 (Jul) 90 / 150 82 / 150 82 / 150 82 / 150
2023 (Aug) 90 / 150 82 / 150 82 / 150 82 / 150
2022 (Dec) 90 / 150 82 / 150 82 / 150 82 / 150
2021 (Jan) 87 / 150 85 / 150 80 / 150 80 / 150
2019 (Dec) 87 / 150 85 / 150 80 / 150 80 / 150
2019 (Jul) 90 / 150 82.5 / 150 82.5 / 150 82.5 / 150
2018 90 / 150 85 / 150 80 / 150 80 / 150
2017 87 / 150 85 / 150 80 / 150 80 / 150

Visual Trend — General Category Cut Off Over the Years

2026
90 / 150
2024
90 / 150
2022
90 / 150
2021
87 / 150
2019
90 / 150
2017
87 / 150
✅ Trend Analysis — What This Means for September 2026
The CTET cut off has been extremely stable, hovering between 87–90 marks for General and 80–85 for reserved categories over the past decade. For CTET September 2026, expect 90/150 (General) and 82/150 (Reserved) to remain unchanged. CBSE's baseline is firmly set at 60% and 55% respectively.

CTET Pass Percentage — Historical Data & Analysis

CTET has a reputation for having a low pass percentage — typically between 12% to 34% depending on the session and paper. Understanding these numbers helps set realistic expectations and motivates smarter preparation.

CTET February 2026 — Official Statistics

Registered
26.5L
Total Candidates Registered (Feb 2026)
Appeared
23.2L
Candidates Who Appeared (87.7%)
Qualified Overall
5.97L
Total Qualified — Paper 1 & 2 Combined
Pass Rate
25.7%
Overall Pass Percentage (Feb 2026)
Paper Appeared (Feb 2026) Qualified (Feb 2026) Pass %
Paper 1 Classes 1–5 10,65,410 3,58,937 33.69%
Paper 2 Classes 6–8 18,67,428 3,46,738 18.56%
Combined 23,24,625 5,97,061 25.68%

Year-Wise Pass Percentage Comparison

Year / Session Paper 1 Pass % Paper 2 Pass % Qualified Candidates
Feb 2026 Latest 33.69% 18.56% 5,97,061
Dec 2024 24.17% 12.31% 2,78,277
Jul 2024 ~28% ~16% 3,66,279
Jan 2024 ~22% ~12% 2,38,878
2022 (Dec) ~25% ~14% ~5.8L
2021 (Jan) ~27% ~15% 6,54,299
🔴 Why Does Less Than 1 in 4 Candidates Pass CTET?
The low pass percentage is not because the exam is impossibly tough. The primary reasons are: (1) poor preparation — many candidates underestimate the pedagogy sections; (2) no exam strategy — not knowing which sections to prioritise; (3) insufficient practice — not doing enough mock tests. With the right plan, clearing 90 or 82 marks is well within reach. Start your structured practice at MyTestSeries.in for free.

Factors That Determine CTET Cut Off

While the CTET qualifying marks are generally fixed, CBSE reserves the right to adjust them. Here are the factors it considers:

  • NCTE Regulations: The National Council for Teacher Education prescribes the base percentage (60% for General, 55% for Reserved). CBSE follows this as the primary benchmark.
  • Difficulty Level of Paper: If the question paper is notably harder than usual, CBSE can lower the qualifying marks slightly (as seen in some 2021 sessions where it was 87 for General).
  • Number of Candidates Appeared: Higher candidate volumes increase competition in downstream job selections, but do not directly affect the CTET cut off since it is a qualifying, not a selective, exam.
  • CBSE's Discretion: The board has the authority to revise the minimum qualifying marks at any session. This has happened rarely, but candidates should always check the official notification.
  • Normalization Procedure: When the exam is conducted in multiple shifts, CBSE may apply normalization to balance difficulty variation between sets, which can affect final scores.
⚠️ Safe Strategy: Always Target 100+ Marks
Given the trend stability, targeting 90 (General) or 82 (Reserved) as a bare minimum is risky — any normalization or marking adjustment can push you below the line. Experienced educators recommend targeting 105–115 marks as a safe zone that keeps you well above the cut off regardless of any revision.

What Happens After You Clear the CTET Cut Off?

Clearing CTET is the gateway — not the destination. Here is what happens once you cross the qualifying mark:

  1. 1
    Result Declared on ctet.nic.in CBSE releases the result PDF. You can check your scorecard and qualifying status using your roll number and password on the official portal.
  2. 2
    Mark Sheet & Certificate on DigiLocker Your CTET digital marksheet and eligibility certificate are uploaded to DigiLocker linked to the mobile number used during application.
  3. 3
    Certificate Is Lifetime Valid Since 2021, the CTET certificate has no expiry. You never need to retake the exam just to renew eligibility.
  4. 4
    Apply for Teaching Positions Use your CTET certificate to apply for teacher vacancies at KVS, NVS, DSSSB, state government schools, private CBSE schools, and all institutions that recognise CTET scores.
  5. 5
    Higher Score = Better Job Prospects Though all pass certificates look the same, institutions often shortlist based on CTET score during interviews and selection rounds. A score of 120+ significantly boosts your profile. Keep improving with free practice tests at MyTestSeries.in.
OrganisationCTET Paper RequiredPosts Available
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS)Paper 1 & 2PRT, TGT positions
Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS)Paper 1 & 2PGT, TGT, PRT
DSSSB DelhiPaper 1 & 2Primary & Upper Primary
State Government Schools (many)Paper 1 & 2Varies by state
Private CBSE-Affiliated SchoolsPaper 1 & 2Subject & Class Teacher
Army Schools & Central InstitutionsPaper 2 mainlyTGT-level posts

For a full career pathway comparison, read: CTET vs State TET — Which is Better for Teaching Jobs in India?

Proven Tips to Score Well Above the CTET Cut Off

Knowing the cut off is step one. Crossing it comfortably is step two. Here are the preparation strategies that consistently work for CTET toppers:

📚

Master CDP First — 30 Marks, High Return

Child Development & Pedagogy has the most predictable questions. Topics like Piaget, Vygotsky, Kohlberg and Inclusive Education repeat every year. Score 24–28 here reliably. Read our Piaget's Theory guide.

🎯

Attempt All 150 Questions — Zero Penalty

There is no negative marking. Never leave a question blank. Use the elimination method to narrow down options even when unsure. This alone can add 5–10 bonus marks.

⏱️

Time Management: 1 Minute Per Question

With 150 questions and 150 minutes, you have exactly 1 minute per question. Practice under timed conditions regularly. Take full-length mocks at MyTestSeries.in.

📝

NCERT Is Your Bible — Class 1 to 8

All content questions in both papers are based on NCERT textbooks from Classes 1–8. For Paper 2, content linkages can go up to Senior Secondary level. Revise NCERT thoroughly.

🔁

Solve Previous Year Papers — 2018 to 2026

CTET has a recognisable question pattern that repeats. Solving the last 8–10 years' papers gives you real exam exposure and helps spot high-frequency topics. Read our Science PYQ Analysis.

📊

Analyse Mock Test Performance Weekly

Taking a mock test without analysing it is wasted effort. After every test, spend equal time reviewing wrong answers, identifying weak sections, and reworking those topics before the next test.

🧠

Language Sections — Score Easy Marks

Language I and Language II together carry 60 marks. For most candidates, these are the easiest marks to score. Grammar, comprehension, and pedagogy of language follow a clear pattern.

🔬

Paper 2 Subject: 60 Marks — Non-Negotiable

For Paper 2, your subject section is the make-or-break factor. If you score below 35/60 in the subject, clearing the overall cut off becomes very difficult. Prioritise subject mastery above all else.

🚀 Ready to test your preparation level right now? Take a full 150-question CTET mock test — completely free — and see your predicted score vs cut off.
Take Mock Test →

Frequently Asked Questions — CTET Cut Off & Passing Marks 2026

General category candidates must score a minimum of 90 marks out of 150 (60%) to qualify CTET 2026. This applies equally to Paper 1 and Paper 2.
SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), PwD, and Transgender candidates need a minimum of 82 marks out of 150 (55%) to pass CTET 2026. This is an 8-mark relaxation compared to the General category.
Yes. The qualifying marks are identical: 90/150 for General and 82/150 for Reserved categories, whether you appear for Paper 1, Paper 2, or both.
No. CTET is purely a qualifying exam. There is no merit list or rank. Every candidate who scores 90+ (General) or 82+ (Reserved) receives the same eligibility certificate. Higher scores may help during actual recruitment at KVS, NVS, etc., but the certificate itself has no grade differentiation.
No. CTET 2026 has no negative marking. Every correct answer carries +1 mark. Wrong answers and unattempted questions carry 0 marks. Candidates should attempt all 150 questions.
In CTET February 2026, the overall pass percentage was 25.68%. Paper 1 had a pass rate of 33.69% (3,58,937 qualified out of 10,65,410 appeared), while Paper 2 had 18.56% (3,46,738 qualified out of 18,67,428 appeared).
While 90 (General) and 82 (Reserved) are the qualifying benchmarks, a score of 105–115 is considered safe and gives a buffer for any marking revisions. A score above 120 out of 150 is considered excellent and provides a strong competitive edge when applying to KVS, NVS, and other institutions.
Technically, yes — CBSE can revise the cut off. But historically, it has been extremely stable. Based on the trend from 2022 to 2026 (all at 90/82), the September 2026 cut off is expected to remain 90/150 for General and 82/150 for Reserved categories.
Since June 2021, the CTET certificate is valid for a lifetime from the date of declaration of result. This applies to all existing holders as well. The earlier 7-year validity has been permanently removed.
CTET results are declared on the official CBSE CTET portal at ctet.nic.in. Candidates log in with their Roll Number and Password to access their scorecard. The CTET marksheet and eligibility certificate are also uploaded to DigiLocker.

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