State TETs
State-run eligibility tests required to be appointed as a teacher for Classes 1–8 (and in some states up to Class 12) in that state's government and aided schools. They are held under National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) norms and are qualifying, not recruitment, exams.
Eligibility
The rules mirror CTET. Level 1/Paper I (Classes 1–5) needs Class 12 with 50% plus D.El.Ed. Level 2/Paper II (Classes 6–8) needs graduation plus B.Ed. HTET adds a PGT level for postgraduates with B.Ed. Most states have no upper age limit and allow unlimited attempts. Since 2021, NCTE has made TET certificates valid for life. A September 2025 Supreme Court ruling made TET mandatory for most in-service teachers too, which has led to special in-service editions and reopened application windows.
Age limit: Usually none (varies by state)
Exam pattern
Most follow the CTET template: an offline OMR test of 150 MCQs worth 150 marks in 2.5 hours, with no negative marking. Sections cover child development and pedagogy, two languages, and either Mathematics/EVS or Mathematics & Science/Social Studies. The pass mark is usually 60%, with state concessions (often 55%) for reserved categories. HTET has three levels (PRT, TGT, PGT), and REET uses Level 1 and Level 2 papers.
Syllabus at a glance
Child development and pedagogy, language comprehension and pedagogy, and subject content and pedagogy at the NCERT or state-board level for Classes 1–8. Many states add a state-language section and state-specific general knowledge (for example Haryana GK in HTET, Rajasthan GK in REET, Punjabi in PSTET).
Upcoming dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Special UPTET 2026 for in-service and CWSN teachers (reported; check the UPESSC portal) | 11 Nov 2026 | expected |
| MAHA TET 2026 rescheduled exam (June 2026 exam was postponed) | Dec 2026 – Jan 2027 | expected |
| PSTET 2027 notification and exam | Notification Jan–Feb 2027; exam Mar 2027 | expected |
| HTET 2027 | Mid-2027 | expected |
| Next REET (Rajasthan eligibility test) | Not announced | tba |
Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.
Free prep material
Standard books
- Child Development and Pedagogy for CTET & TETs – Shalini Punjabi (Arihant)
- NCERT textbooks, Classes 1–8
- State-specific TET guides and solved papers (e.g. UPTET, REET, HTET Success Master) – Arihant Experts
- CTET and TETs Paper I / Paper II guide – Pearson Editorial Board (Pearson)
- State-board textbooks for Classes 1–8 (for state-language and state GK sections)
How toppers play it
- Prepare once for CTET-style CDP and pedagogy and reuse it. About 60–70% of every state TET overlaps with CTET, so appear for CTET and your state TET in the same year.
- Give extra time to the state-specific sections (Haryana GK, Rajasthan geography and culture, Punjabi grammar, Marathi or Urdu language). These separate qualifiers from near-misses.
- Track state pass-mark concessions: reserved-category thresholds of 55% or lower apply only to state domiciles in many states.
- There is no negative marking in most TETs, so fill every bubble, but check the bulletin each year because a few states have experimented with it.
- Paper leaks and postponements are common (the June 2026 MAHA TET was postponed at the last minute). Rely only on the official portal for dates and keep your registration details safe, because rescheduled exams usually reuse them.