Teaching recruitment exams in India

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Associate Senior Executive

Updated on Jan 16, 2026 14:40 IST

Teaching recruitment exams in India include CTET, TET exam, state TET exams, and PGT TGT exams. These teacher recruitment exams ensure fair selection for govt teacher exams, primary teacher recruitment, and secondary teacher exams, offering stable careers and growth in government schools.

In India, teaching recruitment exams are the basics for the selection of government school teachers. The whole process starts with the teaching eligibility tests like CTET and TET exams, followed by the advanced ones, like PGT and TGT. The candidates' skills in pedagogy, subject knowledge, and teaching ability is evaluated during these exams.

The Indian teacher recruitment tests are a way to ensure that only the most qualified and best teachers enter the government educational system. With the growing competition and the large-scale participation every single year, the teacher recruitment tests have been made to be structured, transparent, and based on the merit of the candidates. These exams for teaching jobs consist of teaching eligibility tests, primary teacher recruitment examinations, and secondary teacher exams, such as PGT and TGT exams.

Also Check: Teaching Exams Calendar: CTET, TET, NET, SET, PRT, PGT, TGT Exam Dates

Table of contents

What Are Teaching Recruitment Exams in India?
Types of Teacher Recruitment Exams in India
Teaching Eligibility Test (TET Exam)
CTET and State TET Exams
Govt Teacher Exams for Recruitment
Primary Teacher Recruitment Exams
Secondary Teacher Exams: PGT and TGT Exams
How to Prepare for Teaching Recruitment Exams in India
Why Teaching Recruitment Exams in India

What Are Teaching Recruitment Exams in India?

In India, teaching recruitment exams is fundamental at both the central and state levels. These exam acts as a gateway to hire teachers for public schools. These tests evaluate:

Teaching aptitude
Subject knowledge
Child development and pedagogy
Language proficiency

Most govt teacher exams require candidates to clear an eligibility test like CTET or state TET,

Types of Teacher Recruitment Exams in India

The table below shows how teacher recruitment exams are categorized on the basis of teaching level.

Teaching Level	Teacher Recruitment Exam
Primary (Classes I–V)	Primary Teacher Recruitment
Upper Primary (VI–VIII)	TET Exam / State TET Exams
Secondary (IX–X)	TGT Exams
Senior Secondary (XI–XII)	PGT Exams

Teaching Eligibility Test (TET Exam)

Clearing the teaching eligibility test is required for most teaching job examinations. It evaluates the candidate's knowledge in the development of children, pedagogy, basic subjects, and classroom management. TET-qualified candidates are eligible for recruitment as primary and upper primary teachers.

CTET and State TET Exams

Both the exaams varies depending on the scope and validity.

Feature	CTET	State TET Exams
Conducting Authority	Central Level	State Level
Validity	Across India	Within the State
Schools Covered	Central Govt Schools	State Govt Schools

Govt Teacher Exams for Recruitment

Govt teacher exams are conducted to fill teaching vacancies in government schools. These exams usually consist of:

Written examination
Pedagogy and subject assessment
Merit-based selection

Performance in these teacher recruitment exams determines final appointment and posting.

Primary Teacher Recruitment Exams

Primary teacher recruitment exams focus on selecting teachers for early education levels emphasing

Child development and learning behavior
Foundational literacy and numeracy
Teaching methods for young learners

A valid TET exam qualification is compulsory for most primary teacher recruitment processes.

Also Read: Primary Teacher Courses after 12th in India

Secondary Teacher Exams: PGT and TGT Exams

Below, you can find the difference between the PGT and TGT exams.

Exam Type	Classes Taught	Minimum Qualification
TGT Exams	VI–X	Graduation + BEd
PGT Exams	XI–XII	Post-Graduation + BEd

Also Read: UP TGT PGT Syllabus 2026: Check TGT, PGT Pattern; Download PDF

How to Prepare for Teaching Recruitment Exams in India

To prepare for teaching recruitment exams requires a well-balanced approach. It includes regular practice, emphasizing both pedagogy and subject knowledge.

Understand Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Build Strong Pedagogical Concepts
Strengthen Subject Knowledge
Attempt Past Year Papers
Take Regular Mock Tests
Improve Language Proficiency
Stay Updated with Notifications

Also Check: How to prepare for Teaching Aptitude for Teaching Entrance Exam?

Why Teaching Recruitment Exams in India

The reasons the candidates appear for teaching recruitment exams in India are:

Secure government teaching jobs
Stable salary and benefits
Promotion opportunities
Long-term career growth

From primary teacher recruitment to senior secondary PGT posts, these exams form the backbone of India’s public education system.

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About the Author

Anshul Jindal