How to become a School Teacher in India
स्कूल शिक्षक
Teach and guide children so they learn, think clearly and grow into confident young people.
- Streams
- Any stream
- Time it takes
- 4–5 years after Class 12 (ITEP, or degree + B.Ed)
- Key exams
- NCET, CUET, CTET
What you actually do
- Plan lessons and teach your subject in an engaging way
- Assess learning, give feedback and support students who fall behind
- Talk with parents and take part in school activities
A day in the life
Five or six periods of teaching, checking notebooks between classes, a staff meeting, planning tomorrow’s lessons and an activity or club after school.
The path, step by step
- Class 9–10: be strong in the subjects you may teach; help classmatesabout 2 yr
- Class 11–12: any stream, matching the subject you want to teachabout 2 yr
- Entrance: NCET for the 4-year ITEP, or CUET (UG) for a regular degreeabout 6 mo
- ITEP (4 years), or a bachelor’s degree (3–4 years) followed by B.Ed (2 years)about 4 yr
- Clear CTET or your state TET; prepare for KVS, NVS or state teacher recruitmentabout 6 mo
- First job: Primary, TGT or PGT teacher in a government or private schoolabout 1 yr
Entrance and recruitment exams
| Exam | Conducted by | How often |
|---|---|---|
| NCET (4-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme) | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Once a year |
| CUET (UG) | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Once a year (usually May–June) |
| CTET | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) | Usually once or twice a year — check the CBSE notice |
Exam dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle. Always read the latest notice on the official website before you apply.
Cost and pay
Government / public route
Government colleges and universities: roughly ₹5,000 to ₹50,000 per year
Private route
Private B.Ed colleges: roughly ₹40,000 to ₹1.5 lakh per year
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
Salary
In Kendriya Vidyalayas, PRT is at Level 6, TGT at Level 7 and PGT at Level 8 of the 7th CPC pay matrix. State government and private school pay varies; check recruitment notices.
Skills that matter
Is this for me?
Good fit if…
- You enjoy explaining things to others
- You like working with children or teenagers
- You want a stable, meaningful career
Maybe not, if…
- You lose patience quickly with repeated questions
- You dislike speaking in front of groups
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Common questions
How do I become a School Teacher in India?
1. Class 9–10: be strong in the subjects you may teach; help classmates 2. Class 11–12: any stream, matching the subject you want to teach 3. Entrance: NCET for the 4-year ITEP, or CUET (UG) for a regular degree 4. ITEP (4 years), or a bachelor’s degree (3–4 years) followed by B.Ed (2 years) 5. Clear CTET or your state TET; prepare for KVS, NVS or state teacher recruitment 6. First job: Primary, TGT or PGT teacher in a government or private school
Which entrance exams lead to a career as a School Teacher?
NCET (4-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme) (National Testing Agency (NTA)); CUET (UG) (National Testing Agency (NTA)); CTET (Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)). Check each official website for current dates and eligibility.
Which stream should I choose after Class 10 to become a School Teacher?
Any stream.
How long does it take to become a School Teacher?
4–5 years after Class 12 (ITEP, or degree + B.Ed)
How much does it cost to become a School Teacher?
Government route: Government colleges and universities: roughly ₹5,000 to ₹50,000 per year. Private route: Private B.Ed colleges: roughly ₹40,000 to ₹1.5 lakh per year. Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
What is the salary of a School Teacher in India?
In Kendriya Vidyalayas, PRT is at Level 6, TGT at Level 7 and PGT at Level 8 of the 7th CPC pay matrix. State government and private school pay varies; check recruitment notices.
Sources and last check
We list every rate, limit and date this page relies on, where it comes from and when we last checked it. Rules change: please confirm on the official website before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- School Teacher: path, eligibility and costsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
CTET (CBSE) · Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan · NCTE · Department of Expenditure — 7th CPC pay matrix
- Entrance and recruitment examsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Frequency shown is typical; dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle.
NCET (4-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme) — National Testing Agency (NTA) · CUET (UG) — National Testing Agency (NTA) · CTET — Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
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