AP TET Eligibility 2026: Qualification for Each Paper

AP TET eligibility is decided paper by paper. The Andhra Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test has four papers, and each one needs a different combination of a basic qualification (Intermediate or a degree) and a teacher training course recognised by the NCTE or, for special education, the RCI. The rules below come from the APTET June 2026 notification and information bulletin issued by the Department of School Education on 5 June 2026.

This page covers qualifications for Paper 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B, minimum marks by category, the before-2011 rules, final-semester candidates, in-service teachers, Language I conditions and the common reasons candidates turn out to be ineligible. Candidates must hold their qualifications as on the last date for applications, which was 5 July 2026 in the June 2026 cycle.

Table of Contents

• AP TET eligibility at a glance

• Paper 1A eligibility

• Paper 1B eligibility

• Paper 2A eligibility

• Paper 2B eligibility

• Minimum marks and relaxation

• Age limit

• Final-semester candidates and recognised courses

• Language I eligibility

• In-service teachers

• Who is not eligible

AP TET Eligibility at a Glance

AP TET Paper 1A Eligibility (Classes I to V, Regular Schools)

Paper 1A follows NCTE norms for Secondary Grade Teachers. After 2011, you need Intermediate or Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, BC and PwBD) plus one of these:

• D.El.Ed: A 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education, by whatever name known.

• B.El.Ed: A 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education.

• Diploma in Education (Special Education): A 2-year course.

Before 2011, the rule was Intermediate with at least 45% (40% for SC, ST, BC and PwBD) plus a 2-year D.El.Ed under the NCTE regulations of 2002 and 2007.

AP TET Paper 1B Eligibility (Classes I to V, Special Schools)

Paper 1B follows RCI norms. The main route is Intermediate with at least 50% plus a 2-year D.Ed Special Education in any category of disability. The bulletin also accepts other RCI qualifications, including:

• Diplomas: 1-year Diploma in Special Education, Junior Diploma in Teaching the Deaf, primary level teacher training in visual impairment.

• Rehabilitation courses with a 6-month CwSN certificate: DCBR, PGDCBR, Multi Rehabilitation Worker, DVR-MR or DVTE-MR, DHLS.

• Other routes: Intermediate with any RCI-recognised qualification of at least one year plus the 6-month CwSN certificate, or any other equivalent RCI-approved qualification.

SC, ST, BC and PwBD candidates need 45% in the basic qualification.

AP TET Paper 2A Eligibility (Classes VI to VIII)

Mathematics, Science and Social Studies Teachers

After 2011, any one of these, with at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, BC and PwBD) unless stated:

• Graduation plus B.Ed: A degree from a UGC-recognised university and an NCTE-recognised B.Ed.

• B.El.Ed: A 4-year Bachelor in Elementary Education.

• Integrated degree: A 4-year B.A.Ed or B.Sc.Ed.

• Graduation plus B.Ed (Special Education): A 1-year special education B.Ed.

• Post-graduation plus integrated B.Ed-M.Ed: At least 55% in post-graduation (50% for reserved categories) and a 3-year integrated B.Ed-M.Ed.

Before 2011, graduation with at least 45% (40% for reserved categories) plus B.Ed was accepted. The minimum graduation percentage does not apply to those who took admission to B.Ed or B.El.Ed before 29 July 2011.

Language Teachers

Language teachers need at least 50% in graduation with the language as an optional subject, a Bachelor of Oriental Language, a degree in literature or a post-graduation in the language, plus B.Ed or a Language Pandit Training Certificate with that language as a methodology. Reserved categories need 45%. Before 2011, the rule was 45% (40% for reserved categories) plus B.Ed.

AP TET Paper 2B Eligibility (Classes VI to VIII, Special Schools)

You need at least 50% in graduation or post-graduation (45% for SC, ST, BC and PwBD) plus one of the following:

• Special education B.Ed: B.Ed (Special Education), or B.Ed Special Education with a PG Professional Certificate.

• General B.Ed with a special education add-on: A 1-year or 2-year Diploma in Special Education, or a PG Professional Diploma.

• PG diplomas: In intellectual disability, multiple disability, or locomotor impairment and cerebral palsy.

• Sensory impairment courses: Secondary level teacher training in visual impairment, Senior Diploma in Teaching the Deaf, or BA B.Ed in visual impairment.

• Any other RCI-approved equivalent.

Minimum Marks and Relaxation

The post-graduation route for Paper 2A with the integrated B.Ed-M.Ed needs 55% (50% for reserved categories). Check your marks memo against these figures before applying, because the form cannot be edited once submitted.

AP TET Age Limit

The APTET June 2026 notification and information bulletin do not set a minimum or maximum age. Eligibility rests on qualifications. Age limits, where they apply, come from the recruitment notification for teacher posts, so check that document separately when recruitment is announced.

Final-Semester Candidates and Recognised Courses

• Final-semester students can apply: Those in the final semester of D.El.Ed, D.Ed Special Education, B.Ed or B.Ed Special Education may appear. They cannot use the TET certificate for the Teacher Recruitment Test until they hold the full qualification.

• NCTE and RCI recognition: Only NCTE-recognised teacher education courses count, and only RCI-recognised courses for special education.

• Intermediate and degrees: Intermediate must be from the AP Board of Intermediate Education or an equivalent it recognises. Degrees must be from UGC-recognised universities.

Language I Eligibility

You choose one Language I: Telugu, Urdu, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil or Odia in Paper 1, with Sanskrit added in Paper 2. You can choose a language only if you studied it as your medium of study or first language up to Class X, as a second language in Intermediate, or as a subject at graduation. For Paper 1, the D.El.Ed methodology also counts. English is compulsory as Language II and cannot be chosen as Language I.

In-Service Teachers

Following the Supreme Court judgment of 1 September 2025 in Civil Appeal No. 1385 of 2025, in-service teachers recruited before the RTE Act who have more than five years of service left must qualify the TET. Secondary Grade Teachers and School Assistants without TET may take Paper 1A, 1B, 2A or 2B in their subject, and the qualification rules above are exempted for in-service teachers in government and private aided institutions.

A separate Special TET for in-service teachers was notified on 24 August 2026, with the exam from 11 to 21 October 2026. A pass in that test meets the service and promotion condition only and cannot be used for direct recruitment.

Who Is Not Eligible

• Unrecognised courses: Teacher training not recognised by the NCTE (or RCI for special education).

• Marks below the minimum: Less than the required percentage in the basic qualification for your category.

• Wrong paper: For example, a B.Ed holder without D.El.Ed applying for Paper 1A, or a general D.El.Ed holder applying for Paper 1B without an RCI qualification.

• Language mismatch: Choosing a Language I you did not study as required.

Verify every rule in the official APTET information bulletin.