UPTET Eligibility 2026: Qualification for Paper 1 and Paper 2

UPTET eligibility depends on which level you want to teach. Paper 1 is for the primary level (Classes 1 to 5) and Paper 2 for the upper primary level (Classes 6 to 8), and each has its own list of accepted teacher-training qualifications. The 2026 cycle was conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC) under Advertisement 01/2026.

This page sets out the qualification routes for each paper as reported for the 2026 cycle, the final-year rule, the age position, and the mistakes that most often cause problems at document verification. The next regular UPTET has not been notified yet, so check the new notification when it is released, because routes can change with NCTE rules and court orders.

UPTET Eligibility at a Glance

Paper 1 Eligibility (Classes 1 to 5)

• Graduation and D.El.Ed (BTC): A bachelor's degree and a two-year Diploma in Elementary Education (BTC), passed or in the final year, from an NCTE-recognised institution.

• Graduation and special education diploma: A bachelor's degree and a two-year D.Ed (Special Education) from an RCI-recognised institution.

• Graduation and other recognised training: Special BTC, Urdu BTC, and certain older recognised qualifications such as the Diploma in Teaching from Aligarh Muslim University, under the conditions set in the notification.

• Integrated course: 10+2 with at least 50% marks and a four-year B.El.Ed, passed or in the final year.

B.Ed holders and Paper 1

This is the most disputed point in UPTET eligibility. In August 2023, the Supreme Court upheld a ruling that B.Ed is not a valid qualification for primary teacher posts, which affected NCTE's 2018 rule allowing B.Ed holders to teach primary classes with a bridge course. Reports on how the 2026 UPTET notification treated B.Ed for Paper 1 differ. If you hold only a B.Ed, read the eligibility clause of the next notification carefully before applying for Paper 1, and remember that clearing the test does not settle your eligibility for primary recruitment. Paper 2 remains the clear route for B.Ed holders.

Paper 2 Eligibility (Classes 6 to 8)

• Graduation and D.El.Ed (BTC): A bachelor's degree and a two-year D.El.Ed (BTC), passed or in the final year.

• Graduation with 50% and B.Ed: Graduation or post-graduation with at least 50% marks and a B.Ed, passed or in the final year.

• Graduation with 45% and B.Ed: Graduation with at least 45% marks and a B.Ed, where admission followed the NCTE norms applicable at that time.

• B.Ed (Special Education): Graduation or post-graduation with at least 50% marks and a B.Ed (Special Education) from an RCI-recognised institution.

• Integrated courses: 10+2 with at least 50% marks and a four-year B.El.Ed, B.A.Ed or B.Sc.Ed, passed or in the final year.

Separate conditions apply to Sanskrit, English and Urdu language teacher routes. If you plan to teach a language, check the language-specific clause in the notification.

Final-Year Candidates

Most routes allow candidates in the final year of D.El.Ed, B.Ed or an integrated course to appear. You must still pass the course to use the certificate for recruitment. Keep your final marksheet ready, because recruitment bodies check it at document verification.

Age Limit

UPTET is an eligibility test, not a recruitment exam. As reported for the 2026 cycle, the notification did not set an upper age limit for appearing in the test. Some older pages still show an age band such as 18 to 35 years; that range relates to teacher recruitment, not to UPTET itself. Age limits and relaxations apply when you later apply for a teacher post.

Who Is Not Eligible

• Unrecognised training: Diplomas or degrees from institutions not recognised by NCTE or RCI.

• Wrong paper for your qualification: For example, applying for Paper 2 with a primary-only diploma that the Paper 2 list does not accept.

• Percentage shortfall: Graduation below 50% (or 45% where that route applies) for the B.Ed routes.

• Failed final year: Final-year candidates who do not pass their course cannot use the UPTET certificate.

Fee and Documents

In 2026 the fee was Rs. 1,000 per paper for General, OBC and EWS candidates, Rs. 500 for SC and ST, and Rs. 300 for persons with disabilities. Keep your graduation and training marksheets, a valid photo ID, and category, disability or domicile certificates ready.

Confirm eligibility in the official notification on the UPESSC website.