REET vs CTET — Which Teacher Eligibility Test Should You Take?
Last updated: April 2026 · Both tests compared on 15 dimensions
Quick answer
REET (state, conducted by RBSE) is the eligibility for Rajasthan government primary and upper-primary teacher recruitment. CTET (central, conducted by CBSE) is the eligibility for central government school posts (KVS, NVS, ERDO, DSSSB). The papers have similar 150-question, 150-mark, 150-minute structures and 60% (general) / 55% (reserved) qualifying thresholds, but REET adds Rajasthan-specific Social Studies and EVS content. CTET pays higher at recruitment entry (~₹55-65K vs ~₹37-46K in-hand) but REET certificates have lifetime validity vs CTET's 7-year window. Most candidates aiming at Rajasthan postings take both — REET for state, CTET as a backup.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | REET | CTET |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting body | RBSE (Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education) | CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) |
| Scope | Rajasthan state government schools | Central government schools (KVS, NVS, ERDO, DSSSB) |
| Levels | Level 1 (Classes I-V), Level 2 (Classes VI-VIII) | Paper 1 (Classes I-V), Paper 2 (Classes VI-VIII) |
| Frequency | Once every 1-2 years (cycle-based) | Twice a year (typically July & December) |
| Question count | 150 MCQs (each level) | 150 MCQs (each paper) |
| Total marks | 150 | 150 |
| Duration | 150 minutes | 150 minutes |
| Negative marking | None | None |
| Qualifying marks | 60% (general), 55% (reserved) | 60% (general), 55% (reserved) |
| Eligibility | No domicile restriction; B.Ed/D.El.Ed/B.El.Ed required | Open to all India; B.Ed/D.El.Ed/B.El.Ed required |
| Certificate validity | Lifetime (per current Rajasthan policy) | 7 years from result date |
| Rajasthan-specific content | Yes — Social Studies & EVS include Rajasthan history, geography, civics | No — generic India content |
| Subject group at Level 2 | Math & Science OR Social Studies (60 questions) | Math & Science OR Social Studies (60 questions) |
| Salary at recruitment | L-10 (both Level 1 and Level 2) — ₹23,700 probation / ₹33,800 confirmed | L-7+ (KVS/NVS/DSSSB) — ₹55-65K in-hand at entry |
| Transferability | Within Rajasthan only | All-India for KVS/NVS; within state for DSSSB |
Which one should you take?
Take REET if
- You want to teach in Rajasthan government schools
- You are a Rajasthan domicile and want category-based reservation benefits
- You prefer Hindi as the test medium and lifetime certificate validity
Take CTET if
- You want to apply to KVS, NVS or DSSSB schools
- You want all-India transferability and a higher entry pay scale (~₹55-65K in-hand)
- You are open to relocating outside Rajasthan
Take both if
You want maximum optionality. With ~70% syllabus overlap, the marginal effort to add CTET on top of REET is small — and CTET provides a 7-year backup that lets you target central postings while waiting for the next Rajasthan recruitment cycle.
Frequently asked questions
Can I prepare for REET and CTET simultaneously?
Yes, and many candidates do exactly this. Roughly 70% of the syllabus overlaps — Child Development and Pedagogy (CDP), Language I, Language II, and the broad Mathematics / EVS / Social Studies topics are shared. The differences are exam-specific: REET adds Rajasthan-specific content (especially in Social Studies and EVS) and uses Hindi as a default medium; CTET is centrally administered and supports more state-language options.
Is CTET valid for Rajasthan teacher recruitment?
No. For Rajasthan state government primary and upper-primary teacher posts, REET is the state-specific eligibility requirement. CTET alone does not substitute for REET in Rajasthan recruitment. CTET is valid for central government schools — KVS, NVS, ERDO, and DSSSB.
Which exam should I attempt first — REET or CTET?
If you want to teach in Rajasthan government schools, attempt REET first — it is the state-specific eligibility. If you are open to central government school postings (KVS, NVS) or planning to relocate, CTET is the broader option. Many candidates take both: REET for state options and CTET for central / outside-Rajasthan options.
Is REET easier than CTET?
CTET is generally considered slightly more competitive because of national-level applicants and broader candidate pool. However, REET has its own difficulty layer — Rajasthan-specific Social Studies and EVS content needs dedicated state preparation that CTET does not require. Direct difficulty comparison is not useful; pick the test aligned with your teaching goal.
Are CTET marks counted in Rajasthan teacher recruitment?
No. The RSSB Grade-3 / "REET Mains" recruitment paper is the basis for Rajasthan teacher selection. Even if you have a CTET pass, you cannot use those marks in the Rajasthan recruitment merit list. You must clear REET separately and then appear for the RSSB Grade-3 paper.
How long is the REET certificate valid compared to CTET?
CTET certificate validity is currently 7 years from the date of declaration of result. REET certificate validity has been declared lifetime by the Rajasthan government, but always confirm with the latest RBSE notification. A REET pass once earned does not expire under current state policy.
Which exam has higher salary at the recruitment stage?
CTET-based central government teacher posts (KVS / NVS / DSSSB) typically start at higher pay levels — Pay Level L-7 or above (₹44,900 basic) — with in-hand around ₹55,000-65,000 at entry. Both REET Level 1 and Level 2 first-appointment posts start at L-10 (₹23,700 basic during the 2-year probation, confirmed at ₹33,800). L-11 (₹26,500 basic) applies to direct-entry Senior Teacher posts, not REET first-appointment; L-12 (₹44,300) is the Grade-II promotion stage. RBSE Rajasthan teachers see lower entry-cash but climb steadily through promotion. Source: Rajasthan Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2017, Notification F.15(1)FD(Rules)/2017 dated 09-Dec-2017 — finance.rajasthan.gov.in/PDFDOCS/RULES/F-RULES-7177-09122017.pdf.
Can I appear for REET if I am from outside Rajasthan?
Yes, REET has no domicile restriction for the eligibility test. However, Rajasthan-specific reservation benefits and category cut-off relaxations apply only to Rajasthan domiciles at the recruitment stage. Out-of-state candidates compete in the general / out-of-state quota for RSSB Grade-3 vacancies.