REET Level 1 vs Level 2 — Which Should You Take?
Last updated: April 28, 2026 · 13 min read
Quick Answer
REET Level 1 is for teaching Classes 1 to 5 — eligibility: Senior Secondary plus D.El.Ed or B.El.Ed. REET Level 2 is for teaching Classes 6 to 8 — eligibility: Graduation plus B.Ed. Entry pay is identical for both (Pay Level L-10: probationer-trainee ₹23,700, confirmed ₹33,800). If you are eligible for both — take both. Syllabus overlap is about 90 of 150 marks (CDP and the two language papers are shared), and the certificate is lifetime-valid, so the second paper acts as insurance.
Decision flow in one paragraph
Start from your highest qualification. If you have only D.El.Ed or B.El.Ed, Level 1 is your only door — focus there. If you have only graduation plus B.Ed, Level 2 is your primary door — Level 1 may also open depending on the latest National Council for Teacher Education clarifications honoured by the Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan in the active notification cycle. If you have both teacher-education credentials (D.El.Ed plus B.Ed) or an integrated B.A. B.Ed / B.Sc. B.Ed, plan for both papers in the same cycle.
Eligibility Branching
The eligibility door you walk through is dictated by the teacher-education credential on top of your school or graduation qualification. The matrix below summarises the common scenarios. Always verify against the binding eligibility framework in the latest Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan notification before applying.
| Your qualification stack | Eligible level |
|---|---|
| Senior Secondary + D.El.Ed | Level 1 only |
| Senior Secondary + B.El.Ed | Level 1 only |
| Graduation + B.Ed | Level 2 (subject to NCTE/Board notification, sometimes Level 1 also) |
| Graduation + D.El.Ed | Both Level 1 and Level 2 typically |
| B.A. B.Ed or B.Sc. B.Ed integrated | Both levels typically |
| Final-year of D.El.Ed / B.Ed | Conditionally eligible for matching level |
Source: Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan REET notification archive and National Council for Teacher Education guidelines.
Who Should Pick Level 1
You hold D.El.Ed or B.El.Ed and want to teach primary classes
Level 1 is built around primary pedagogy — Classes 1 to 5 EVS, Mathematics through primary-level methods, and child development theory weighted toward early-childhood frameworks. If your training and your career intent both point to teaching the youngest learners, Level 1 is the cleanest match.
You want quick eligibility while pursuing graduation
Senior Secondary plus D.El.Ed is enough to clear Level 1 right now. Many candidates clear Level 1 first to lock in lifetime eligibility, then later add graduation plus B.Ed to pick up Level 2 in a future cycle. The certificate never expires, so the early effort is never wasted.
You are aiming for primary headmaster cadre eventually
Level 1 candidates progress through a primary-cadre promotion route — Grade-III L1 to Senior Teacher (Grade-II) at L-12 to Headmaster (Grade-I) at L-13. If you intend to anchor your career inside the primary-school management ladder, Level 1 entry is the conventional path.
Who Should Pick Level 2
You hold a B.Ed and want to teach a specific subject
Level 2 is structured around upper-primary subjects — pick Mathematics and Science as one elective block, or Social Studies as the other. If your B.Ed teaching subject was specifically Maths, Science, History, Geography, Civics, or Economics, Level 2 with the matching elective lets you build a subject-specialist career.
You target faster Senior Teacher cadre progression
In practice, Level 2 teachers in subject-specialist roles often progress faster into Senior Teacher (Grade-II) cadres at Pay Level L-12. Because their qualification matches the upper-primary subject vacancy structure, eligibility for promotion notifications opens earlier in the career timeline.
You hold an integrated B.A. B.Ed or B.Sc. B.Ed
Integrated programmes such as B.A. B.Ed or B.Sc. B.Ed open Level 2 directly. Pick the elective that matches your subject specialisation — Mathematics and Science for B.Sc. B.Ed graduates, Social Studies for B.A. B.Ed graduates with humanities specialisations.
Who Should Take Both Levels
If your qualifications open both doors, attempting both papers in the same cycle is a strong move. The reasons compound:
- About 90 of 150 marks share preparation effort — Child Development and Pedagogy plus the two Language papers are common across both levels.
- Both certificates are lifetime-valid — even a strong score in the level you do not currently target stays an asset for future Grade-III recruitments.
- Recruitment notifications often run separately for primary and upper-primary vacancies. Holding both certificates lets you apply against both notification streams whenever they appear.
- Time and money cost is bounded — two papers in the same window is a single calendar disruption, not two separate cycles.
Salary Parity at Entry
A common misconception is that Level 2 teachers are paid more than Level 1 teachers at first appointment. The Rajasthan Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules 2017 place both Level 1 and Level 2 Grade-III teachers at Pay Level L-10. The first two years are a probationer-trainee period at a fixed monthly basic of ₹23,700, after which the post is confirmed at L-10 Cell 1 with basic ₹33,800. The level distinction shapes the class profile you teach (primary versus upper-primary), not the entry pay grid.
| Career step | Pay Level | Basic pay | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probationer-Trainee (first 2 years) | L-10 | ₹23,700 | Fixed monthly basic per Schedule IV Rule 16, Note 3 |
| Confirmed Grade-III Teacher (L1 or L2) | L-10 | ₹33,800 | Pay Level L-10 Cell 1 |
| Senior Teacher / Grade-II (after promotion) | L-12 | ₹44,300 | Pay Level L-12 Cell 1 |
| Headmaster / Lecturer / Grade-I (after promotion) | L-13 | ₹53,100 | Pay Level L-13 Cell 1 |
Source: Rajasthan Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2017 — F.15(1)FD(Rules)/2017 dated 09 December 2017. Gazette PDF: F-RULES-7177-09122017.pdf. Post-DA-50% HRA rates: Y-class 20%, Z-class 10%; current DA: 58% as per latest Rajasthan Finance Department order.
Career Trajectory Differences
Level 1 trajectory: primary classroom to primary headmaster
A Level 1 Grade-III teacher anchors in the primary classroom — Classes 1 to 5 — for the first decade. Promotion progresses to Senior Teacher (Grade-II) at Pay Level L-12 with basic ₹44,300, and finally to Primary Headmaster (Grade-I) at Pay Level L-13 with basic ₹53,100. The trajectory is general-pedagogy-led, not subject-specialist.
Level 2 trajectory: subject specialist to lecturer
A Level 2 Grade-III teacher anchors in upper-primary subject teaching — Classes 6 to 8 in Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies. Promotion progresses to Senior Teacher (Grade-II) at Pay Level L-12 (₹44,300), and into Lecturer (Grade-I) roles at Pay Level L-13 (₹53,100) with the matching subject specialisation. The trajectory rewards depth in one subject more than breadth.
Holding both certificates: maximum optionality
A teacher who holds both Level 1 and Level 2 certificates retains the option to apply against either trajectory whenever a notification appears. In a year when only Level 2 vacancies are notified, the candidate applies for upper-primary; in another year when only Level 1 vacancies are notified, the same candidate switches to primary. The optionality compounds across a 30-year career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which REET level should I take if I have only D.El.Ed?
Take Level 1. A Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) plus Senior Secondary makes you eligible for Level 1 only — Classes 1 to 5. To attempt Level 2 (Classes 6 to 8) you additionally need a graduation degree plus B.Ed. If you eventually pursue B.Ed, you can attempt Level 2 in a future cycle since the Level 1 certificate stays valid for life.
Which REET level should I take if I have a B.Ed but no D.El.Ed?
Level 2 is your primary route. Graduation plus B.Ed makes you eligible for Level 2, which targets Classes 6 to 8. Whether you can also attempt Level 1 depends on the National Council for Teacher Education clarifications honoured in the most recent Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan notification — check the binding eligibility framework before applying.
Should I attempt both Level 1 and Level 2 in the same cycle?
Yes, if you are eligible for both. Each paper is a separate 2 hour 30 minute slot, but the syllabus overlap (CDP and the two language papers) is substantial — about 90 of 150 marks share preparation effort. Holding both certificates lets you apply against any future Grade-III recruitment, primary or upper-primary, without retaking either eligibility test.
Is the salary the same for Level 1 and Level 2 government teachers?
Yes — at first appointment. Both Level 1 and Level 2 qualified candidates who clear Grade-III recruitment enter at Pay Level L-10 of the Rajasthan Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules 2017. The first two years are a probationer-trainee period at a fixed monthly basic of ₹23,700 (Schedule IV Rule 16, Note 3), after which the post is confirmed at L-10 Cell 1 with basic ₹33,800. The level distinction shapes the class profile you teach, not the entry pay.
How does the career trajectory differ between Level 1 and Level 2?
Both levels share the same promotion ladder on paper — L-10 to L-12 (Senior Teacher / Grade-II) at ₹44,300 to L-13 (Headmaster / Lecturer / Grade-I) at ₹53,100. In practice, Level 2 teachers in subject-specialist roles often progress faster into Senior Teacher cadres because their qualification matches the upper-primary subject vacancy structure, while Level 1 teachers move through primary headmaster routes.
Is Level 2 more competitive than Level 1?
It depends on the cycle. Level 2 attracts every B.Ed-graduated aspirant in the state, including those who could not crack other state PCS or central UPSC exams, so application volume is typically higher. Level 1 has a narrower eligibility net (D.El.Ed/B.El.Ed), so the absolute pool is smaller — but proportionally fewer notified vacancies sometimes make the cutoff race tighter.
Can I switch from Level 1 to Level 2 later in my career?
Yes. After completing graduation plus B.Ed, you can attempt Level 2 in a future REET cycle while continuing as a primary teacher. Many in-service primary teachers upgrade to Level 2 to qualify for upper-primary recruitments and faster promotions into Senior Teacher cadres.
Do I need separate study material for Level 1 and Level 2?
Mostly yes, but with overlap. Child Development and Pedagogy theory is shared. Language I and Language II preparation is identical in approach. The subject blocks differ — Level 1 uses NCERT Class 1 to 5 EVS and Mathematics, while Level 2 uses NCERT Class 6 to 8 Mathematics and Science (or Social Studies). Plan one shared CDP and language track plus separate level-specific tracks.