The CTET cut off is not a moving number like in a recruitment exam: a general category candidate qualifies by scoring 60%, which is 90 marks out of 150, in Paper I or Paper II. Schools run by central, state or UT governments may allow reserved category candidates a concession, and the figure most commonly applied is 55%, or 82 marks.
Below you will find what these CTET cut off marks mean in practice, how many candidates have actually crossed them in recent sessions, and why the pass rate swings so much from one sitting to the next.
Exam at a glance
Conducted by
Central Board of Secondary EducationGeneral qualifying mark
60% (90 of 150)Reserved categories
Concession at the employer's discretion; 55% (82 of 150) is widely usedApplies to
Paper I and Paper II separatelyCertificate validity
LifetimeNegative marking
NoneWhere to check
ctet.nic.in and the result notice on cbse.gov.in
What the CTET cut off really means
CTET is an eligibility test. CBSE does not rank candidates or fill posts, so there is no merit list and no relative cut off. Anyone who reaches the qualifying percentage in a paper receives a certificate for that paper. You could sit with 20 lakh others and every one of you could qualify, or very few might.
The certificate then lets you apply for teacher jobs where CTET is required. The actual selection happens later, in exams such as the KVS recruitment test, where a separate merit cut off decides who is hired.
CTET cut off marks by category
| Category | Percentage | Marks needed |
|---|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | 60% | 90 |
| OBC | 55% (if the employer grants it) | 82 |
| SC | 55% (if the employer grants it) | 82 |
| ST | 55% (if the employer grants it) | 82 |
| Persons with disability | 55% (if the employer grants it) | 82 |
The CBSE bulletin fixes 60% and states that government-run schools may consider concessions to reserved groups and to candidates with disabilities under their own reservation policy. Results and reports in recent sessions apply 55% for these groups. If you are an OBC candidate hoping to use 82 marks, confirm that the school or recruiting body you target accepts the concession.
How many candidates qualified in past sessions
These numbers come from CBSE result notices and reports published with each result.
| Session | Paper I appeared | Paper I qualified | Paper II appeared | Paper II qualified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21st edition (February session, latest result) | 10,65,410 | 3,58,937 (33.69%) | 18,67,428 | 3,46,738 (18.56%) |
| December 2024 | 5,72,489 | 1,38,389 (24.17%) | 11,36,087 | 1,39,888 (12.31%) |
| July 2024 | 6,78,707 | 1,27,159 (18.73%) | 14,07,332 | 2,39,120 (16.99%) |
| January 2024 | 7,95,231 | 1,26,845 (15.95%) | 14,81,242 | 1,12,033 (7.56%) |
| July 2023 session | 12,13,704 | 2,98,758 (24.61%) | 11,66,178 | 1,01,057 (8.66%) |
In the latest result, 5,97,061 of 23,24,625 candidates who appeared qualified, an overall rate of 25.68%. Paper II has been the tougher paper in every session listed here.
Why the pass rate changes when the cut off does not
- Paper difficulty: the qualifying mark is fixed, so a harder pedagogy section directly lowers the pass rate.
- Who is sitting: a large group of first-time candidates, such as final-year D.El.Ed students, can pull the rate down.
- Paper II subject choice: maths and science candidates and social studies candidates face different 60-question sections, and the published figures combine them.
- Raw marks: each paper is a single question set in its own shift, and your score is simply the number of correct answers.
Can the qualifying marks change next session
The 60% rule has stayed the same for many sessions, and changing it would need a decision by CBSE and NCTE. Expect it to hold, but read the bulletin when it comes out. What is more likely to change is the rule on concessions in individual recruitments, so keep an eye on the specific vacancy notice as well.
Reaching 90 safely
With no negative marking, every blank is a lost mark. Most candidates who miss by a few marks lose them in pedagogy options, not in content. Divide your target: aim for about 22 in child development and pedagogy, 20 to 24 in each language, and the rest from the subject sections. Practise with official answer keys from past sessions on our CTET previous papers page, and review the topic list on the CTET syllabus page.
How to check your result officially
- Open the CTET website and use the result link for your session.
- Log in with your roll number or application details.
- Download your marks statement. Marksheets and certificates are also uploaded to DigiLocker, using the mobile number from your application.
- Check your category on the marksheet, because the qualifying status depends on it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CTET OBC cut off?
CBSE leaves concessions to the employing government. Where a concession is given, OBC candidates qualify at 55%, which is 82 of 150 marks. Without it, the general 60% applies.
Is the CTET cut off the same for Paper I and Paper II?
Yes. Both papers have 150 marks and the same qualifying percentage. You qualify in each paper separately.
Does a higher CTET score help in recruitment?
Usually it only matters that you qualified. A few teacher recruitments have used TET scores in their merit or as a tie-breaker, so read the vacancy notice of the job you want.
Can I take CTET again after qualifying?
Yes. There is no limit on attempts, and candidates may reappear to improve their score. The full rules are on our CTET eligibility page.
Is there an expected CTET cut off for the next exam?
No expected figure is needed. The qualifying mark is set in advance in the bulletin, so you already know your target before the exam.
How long is the certificate valid?
A CTET pass certificate never lapses now, and the change covered certificates issued before it as well.