What is TET and CTET?How this exam implemented?

Teacher Eligibility Test known as TET is an Indian entrance examination for teachers. The
test is mandatory for getting teaching jobs in government schools from Class 1 to Class 8.
Paper 1 is meant for teachers opting for Class 1 to Class 5 and Paper 2 for Class 6 to Class 8.
It is conducted by both Central government and State governments in India. Most states
conduct their own TET. The test is conducted in order fulfill and achieve the goals of
the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act.

TET was introduced by the Government of India in order to improve standards in

teaching. It was held for the first time in 2011. For teachers already working, they are
supposed to clear the exam in two years time.
The exam is based on National Curriculum Framework. The people who have the
professional qualifications of Teacher Training such as D.El.Ed, B.Ed are eligible to take part
in the test. It's a mandatory qualification for one who wanted to be a teacher from Class I to
class VIII. A candidate has to score over 60 per cent to clear the eligibility test. [4]The exam is
divided into Paper 1 and Paper 2.
The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) maintains the database and guides the
government bodies about conducting the test.

In accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1) of Section 23 of the RTE

Act, the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) had vide Notification dated 23
August 2010 and 29 July 2011 laid down the minimum qualifications for a person to be
eligible for appointment as a teacher in classes I to VIII. It had been inter alia provided that
one of the essential qualifications for a person to be eligible for appointment as a teacher in
any of the schools referred to in clause (n) of section 2 of the RTE Act is that he/she should
pass the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) which will be conducted by the appropriate
Government in accordance with the Guidelines framed by the NCTE. The examination is
tough with qualification rates of 1% to 14% in the exams held so far.
CBSE conducts CTET twice in a year. CTET 2016 exam is going to conduct on
21 February 2016 and 18 September 2016. CTET scores will release in March 2016 for CTET
Feb and in October for CTET Sept. Approximately 9 lac applicants appear for the
examination.
The rationale for including the TET as a minimum qualification for a person to
be eligible for appointment as a teacher is as under:

 It would bring national standards and benchmark of teacher quality in the recruitment
process;
 It would induce teacher education institutions and students from these institutions to
further improve their performance standards;
 It would send a positive signal to all stakeholders that the Government lays special
emphasis on teacher quality
The Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India has entrusted the
responsibility of conducting the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) to the Central Board
of Secondary Education Delhi.