TSTET Exam 2026

The Telangana State Teacher Eligibility Test (TSTET) 2026 is a mandatory entrance examination for candidates aspiring to become teachers in schools under the Government of Telangana. Below are the key highlights:

• Exam Name: Telangana State Teacher Eligibility Test (TSTET)
• Conducting Body: Department of School Education, Government of Telangana
• Exam Level: State Level
• Frequency: Once a year (subject to government notification)
• Mode of Exam: Computer Based Test (CBT)
• Duration: 150 minutes (2.5 hours) per paper
• Official Website: tstet.cgg.gov.in

Candidates should keep track of the following tentative schedule for TSTET 2026:

• Official Notification Release: March 2026
• Online Application Starts: Last week of March 2026
• Last Date to Apply: Mid-April 2026
• Admit Card Release: May 2026
• TSTET 2026 Exam Date: June 2026
• Answer Key Release: July 2026
• Declaration of Results: August 2026

TSTET is a qualifying examination conducted to ensure that teachers recruited for Classes I to VIII possess the necessary aptitude and knowledge. Qualifying TSTET is a prerequisite for recruitment in schools run by the State Government, Mandal Parishad, Zilla Parishad, and private aided/unaided schools in Telangana.

The full form of TSTET is Telangana State Teacher Eligibility Test. It was established following the guidelines of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) to maintain high standards in the teaching profession.

Since the formation of Telangana in 2014, the TSTET has evolved from an offline OMR-based test to a modern Computer Based Test (CBT). Over the years, the competition has increased significantly, with lakhs of candidates appearing annually to secure the eligibility certificate, which now holds lifetime validity.

Eligibility criteria for TSTET 2026 are divided into two categories:

• Paper I (Classes I to V): Candidates must have passed Intermediate/Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/BC/PH) and pass/pursuing a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) or 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).
• Paper II (Classes VI to VIII): Candidates must possess a B.A./B.Sc./B.Com with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories) and pass/pursuing a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) or equivalent degree.

The application process for TSTET 2026 is entirely online:

1. Visit the official portal tstet.cgg.gov.in.
2. Pay the prescribed application fee through the TS Online or Payment Gateway.
3. Login with the Journal Number and Date of Birth.
4. Fill in personal and educational details.
5. Upload scanned photograph and signature in the specified format.
6. Submit the form and download the confirmation page for future reference.

The exam consists of two papers with the following subjects:

• Paper I: Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II (English), Mathematics, and Environmental Studies.
• Paper II: Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II (English), and a choice between Mathematics & Science or Social Studies.

The TSTET 2026 syllabus is based on the Telangana State curriculum for Classes I to X. Key areas include:

• Child Development: Focus on educational psychology and learning processes.
• Languages: Proficiency, grammar, and comprehension.
• Mathematics/Science/Social: Concept-based questions from state textbooks up to the secondary level.

The TSTET exam follows a structured pattern:

• Total Questions: 150 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) per paper.
• Total Marks: 150 Marks.
• Marking Scheme: 1 mark for every correct answer; No negative marking.
• Time Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes.

The admission process refers to the steps required to obtain the eligibility certificate:

• Registration and Application submission.
• Appearing for the CBT examination.
• Verification of preliminary answer keys and raising objections.
• Final result declaration based on qualifying marks.

While TSTET is a certificate exam rather than a university entrance test, its results are accepted by:

• All Telangana State Government Schools.
• Mandal Parishad and Zilla Parishad Schools.
• Private Aided and Unaided Schools in Telangana.
• Residential Schools (Gurukulams) for recruitment screening.

Results for TSTET 2026 will be published on the official website. Candidates can check their scores by entering their Hall Ticket number. The TSTET Certificate is now valid for a lifetime, providing long-term eligibility for teacher recruitment notifications.

Once a candidate qualifies TSTET, they become eligible to apply for the Teacher Recruitment Test (TRT) or District Selection Committee (DSC) notifications issued by the Telangana government. TSTET scores carry a 20% weightage in the final teacher recruitment process.

There is no "counselling" for TSTET itself. However, during the teacher recruitment (DSC) phase, qualified candidates must undergo Certificate Verification where original documents like educational certificates, TSTET marks memo, and category certificates are scrutinized.

The qualifying marks for TSTET 2026 vary by category:

• General: 60% and above (90/150 marks).
• BC (Backward Classes): 50% and above (75/150 marks).
• SC/ST/PH: 40% and above (60/150 marks).

Note: TSTET is conducted by the Telangana School Education Department, not NTA. For official queries, contact:

Address: Director, SCERT, Opp. Latha Talkies, Mahendra Hills, Hanumakonda/Hyderabad, Telangana.
Helpdesk: Check official website for active 2026 helpline numbers.
Website: tstet.cgg.gov.in