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Significant Changes in Bihar Teacher Recruitment Process

The Bihar Education Department has made a pivotal change in the teacher recruitment process by eliminating the state-level Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for classes 1 to 8. Moving forward, only candidates who have successfully passed the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) will be eligible for teaching positions. This decision aims to streamline the recruitment process and reduce administrative burdens. With the CTET being conducted annually, the government believes that the number of qualified candidates will sufficiently meet the demand for teachers. This shift will significantly impact those preparing for the TET, as they will now need to focus on the CTET instead. Experts suggest that this change may increase competition among candidates, as both state and national applicants will be assessed through the same examination framework.
By Ambika Singh Feb 16, 2026, 14:19 IST
Significant Changes in Bihar Teacher Recruitment Process

Major Shift in Teacher Eligibility in Bihar


Patna: A significant transformation has been introduced in the recruitment process for teachers in Bihar's government schools. The Bihar Education Department has decided to discontinue the state-level Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for classes 1 to 8. Following this decision, only candidates who have passed the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) will be considered eligible for teacher recruitment. According to the department, the CTET is conducted regularly by the central government every year. The state government believes that the number of candidates who have cleared the CTET is sufficient to meet the requirements for teacher recruitment.


Approximately three years ago, the department indicated that a state-level TET would not be held for the time being, while keeping the possibility of future examinations open. However, it has now been clarified that there is no need for a separate TET.


History of TET in Bihar

To date, the TET has been conducted only twice in Bihar, administered by the Bihar School Examination Board. The first examination took place in 2011, followed by the second in 2017. This examination consisted of two levels:



  • Primary Level - Eligibility assessment for teachers teaching classes 1 to 5.


  • Upper Primary Level - Eligibility determination for teachers teaching classes 6 to 8.



In future recruitments, only the CTET Paper 1 and Paper 2 will be recognized.


Impact on Candidates

This decision will directly affect the millions of candidates who were preparing for the Bihar TET. They will now need to shift their focus to preparing for the CTET. The government believes that this will streamline the selection process and reduce the administrative burden of conducting multiple examinations. In upcoming teacher recruitments, only those candidates who have passed CTET Paper 1 for classes 1 to 5 or Paper 2 for classes 6 to 8 will be eligible to apply.


Experts suggest that making the CTET mandatory could increase competition, as candidates from both state and national levels will be evaluated based on a uniform examination. Candidates are advised to concentrate on the syllabus and previous years' question papers while preparing for the CTET.


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