K-TET September 2026 Notification Out, Apply Online from 23 September (Dates, Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Fees)

The Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test (K-TET) September 2026 notification has been officially released by Pareeksha Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram. The notification (No. EX/CGL(2)/43100/2026/CGE) was issued on 18 September 2026 by the Commissioner for Government Examinations. If you want to teach in Kerala’s Lower Primary, Upper Primary, or High School classes, this is your chance to get qualified.

This guide covers everything in the notification: important dates, category-wise eligibility, application fees, the exam pattern, qualifying marks, and how to apply online at ktet.kerala.gov.in.

What is K-TET?

K-TET is the state-level eligibility test that decides who can be appointed as a teacher in Kerala’s schools. Under the Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009 and NCTE guidelines, the Government of Kerala has made K-TET mandatory for teacher appointments up to the high school level. The exam is conducted by Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan on behalf of the General Education Department.

K-TET September 2026: Important Dates

K-TET 2026 Exam Timetable

Kerala TET Categories Explained

The exam is held in four categories:

• Category I: Lower Primary (LP) classes
• Category II: Upper Primary (UP) classes
• Category III: High School classes
• Category IV: Language teachers (Arabic, Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu) up to UP level, and specialist teachers (Art & Craft, Physical Education) up to high school level

K-TET September 2026 Application Fee

The fee is charged per category, so a candidate applying for two categories pays twice. Payment is online only through SBI e-Pay, using net banking, credit card, or debit card. Fees are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another exam.

K-TET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

There is no age limit for K-TET. Final-year B.Ed, D.Ed, and D.El.Ed students (3rd/4th semester) can also apply, but they will get their K-TET certificate only after producing their course pass certificate.

Category I (Lower Primary)

Candidates need any one of the following:

• Higher Secondary/Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with 45% marks, plus a TTC/D.Ed from the Kerala Government Pareeksha Board
• Higher Secondary with 45% marks, plus a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) as per NCTE 2002 regulations
• Higher Secondary with 50% marks, plus a 4-year B.El.Ed
• Higher Secondary with 50% marks, plus a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education)

Category II (Upper Primary)

Candidates need any one of the following:

• A degree plus a 2-year D.El.Ed/TTC/D.Ed
• A degree with 45% marks plus a B.Ed/D.El.Ed (per NCTE norms)
• Higher Secondary with 50% marks plus a 4-year B.El.Ed
• Higher Secondary with 50% marks plus a 4-year BA.Ed or B.Sc.Ed
• Certain degrees such as B.Tech and BCA recognised as B.Ed-eligible under KER, or a BBA recognised by Kerala universities, along with the other required qualifications

Category III (High School)

• BA/B.Sc/B.Com with 45% marks, plus a B.Ed in the same subject from a Kerala university or a recognised university
• Candidates admitted to B.Ed on the basis of marks in their post-graduation can also apply (GO (P) 172/2018)
• M.Sc Ed holders from NCERT Regional Institutes of Education with at least 50% marks in the relevant science subjects
• BA with 45% marks plus LTTC/D.LEd

For Category II and III, the 45% requirement is calculated on the aggregate marks of all subjects in the degree.

Category IV (Language and Specialist Teachers)

Candidates qualified to be Arabic, Hindi, Sanskrit, or Urdu teachers up to UP level, and specialist teachers and physical education teachers as defined in Chapter XXXI of the Kerala Education Act & Rules, can apply as per GO (MS) 59/2024 and GO (MS) 154/2024.

K-TET 2026 Exam Pattern

Every category has a single paper of 150 multiple-choice questions carrying 150 marks, with one mark per question. There is no negative marking.

Category I Exam Pattern

*Arabic is only for candidates qualified to be LP Arabic teachers.

Category II Exam Pattern

Category III Exam Pattern

Category IV Exam Pattern

Question paper language: Category I, II, and IV papers are available in Malayalam, English, Tamil, and Kannada. Category III questions are in English only, except for the language sections.

Syllabus: The detailed syllabus is available on the SCERT website (scert.kerala.gov.in) and at ktet.kerala.gov.in.

K-TET Qualifying Marks 2026

If any question is deleted after evaluation, all candidates who wrote that paper get the marks for it, and evaluation is still done out of 150. A candidate who has already passed a category cannot write the same category again.

Passing K-TET makes you eligible to be considered for a teaching post. It does not, on its own, guarantee appointment. You must still meet the other qualifications set by the government and appointing authorities.

How to Apply for K-TET September 2026

1. Visit the official website https://ktet.kerala.gov.in.
2. Click “New Registration” on the home page.
3. Choose your categories. Applicants already working in Government or Aided schools must mention this.
4. Enter the medium, part, and subject details, along with your basic educational qualifications.
5. Select an identity card from the list and enter its number. You must bring the original to the exam hall.
6. Enter the district where you want to write the exam, plus your name, date of birth, caste, category, and religion carefully.
7. Upload a photo that meets the guidelines (see below).
8. Click Save, review your details, and use Edit Application to correct any mistakes.
9. Complete Final Submission and pay the fee through SBI e-Pay.
10. Note down your Application Number and Application ID, then take the final printout.

Important: No corrections are possible after Final Submission. You don’t need to post the printout or certificates to Pareeksha Bhavan. Submit only one application, even if you are applying for more than one category.

Photo Guidelines

• The photo must not include your name or the date it was taken.
• It must not have KPSC or any other seals on it.
• It should have a plain background and be clear.
• Selfies are not allowed.
• Upload only a recent photo.

The same photo will appear on your K-TET certificate, so follow these rules carefully.

K-TET Hall Ticket 2026

The hall ticket will be available on the website from 4 November 2026. You will need your Application Number and Application ID to download it. The exam centre will be shown on the hall ticket. Nobody is allowed into the exam hall without a valid hall ticket.

Accepted ID documents include a Voter ID, driving licence, passport, PAN card, disability ID from the Social Welfare Department, bank passbook with photo, government employee ID, or Aadhaar card.

Exam Day Instructions

• Reach the exam centre 30 minutes before the exam starts.
• Mobile phones, calculators, smartwatches, and other electronic devices are banned.
• Use only a blue or black ballpoint pen on the OMR sheet.
• Make sure all three parts of your question booklet carry the same alphabet code (A, B, C, or D), and bubble that code correctly on the OMR sheet.
• Bubble the same language and subject options you chose in your online application. A mismatch will invalidate your OMR sheet.
• You will keep the carbon copy of your OMR sheet.

Scribe Facility

Candidates with 40% or more visual or other disabilities that affect writing can request a scribe. Apply to the District Educational Officer of your exam district at least 5 days before the exam, with your hall ticket and medical board certificate. Eligible candidates also get 20 minutes of extra time per hour.

K-TET 2026 Result and Answer Key

The OMR sheets are evaluated by computer. The provisional answer key will be published on ktet.kerala.gov.in right after the exam, and complaints can be submitted within the given deadline using the prescribed format. Results are expected to be published within two months of the exam.

Certificate Verification

Candidates who pass must attend certificate verification at the District Educational Office within the specified time, with their original certificates. Candidates with degrees from outside Kerala must produce Genuineness and Equivalency Certificates. A late fee applies if you collect your K-TET certificate late:

Check Kerala TET Sept Notice PDF

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When does K-TET September 2026 registration start?
Online registration starts on 23 September 2026 and closes on 3 October 2026.

When is the K-TET 2026 exam?
Category I and II are on 14 November 2026. Category III and IV are on 15 November 2026.

What is the K-TET application fee?
It is ₹500 per category for general candidates and ₹250 for SC/ST and differently abled candidates.

Is there negative marking in K-TET?
No. K-TET has no negative marking.

Is there an age limit for K-TET?
No. There is no upper or lower age limit.

Can I apply for more than one K-TET category?
Yes. Submit one online application, choose all the categories you want, and pay the fee for each category.

Can final-year B.Ed or D.El.Ed students apply?
Yes. They can apply, but they will receive their K-TET certificate only after producing their course pass certificate.