The HTET 2026 notification landed on 24 December 2025. You had barely twelve days to apply. The exam, after two postponements, is now locked for 13 and 14 June 2026. Over 2.33 lakh candidates have registered. If you are one of them - or planning to appear in the next cycle - your eligibility is not a formality. BSEH verifies it at multiple stages, and one mismatched document will cancel your candidature.
This is the definitive eligibility breakdown for the Haryana Teacher Eligibility Test 2026, built entirely from the official notification and verified sources.
HTET 2026 at a Glance
The Board of School Education Haryana (BSEH) conducts HTET as a state-level qualifying exam. It certifies you to teach in Haryana government and aided schools. The exam is structured into three levels:
You can apply for one, two, or all three levels in a single registration, provided you hold the required qualifications for each.
Key facts from the official notification:
- Certificate validity: Lifetime - once you qualify, you never need to renew it.
- Exam mode: Offline, OMR-based.
- Total questions per paper: 150 MCQs, 150 marks, 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Negative marking: None.
- Qualifying marks: 90 out of 150 (60%) for General/EWS/OBC; 82-83 out of 150 (55%) for SC and PH candidates of Haryana domicile. SC/PH candidates from other states must score 90 marks (60%).
- Official website: bseh.org.in
Age Limit - 18 to 38 Years, With Relaxations
The HTET 2026 notification specifies a clear age corridor:
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Maximum age: 38 years (for general category)
Age is calculated as per the closing date of the application (4 January 2026 for the current cycle). This is different from CTET, which has no upper age limit. BSEH has set the HTET upper age cap at 38 years.
Reserved categories receive age relaxation as per Haryana government rules. While the HTET bulletin itself may not list every relaxation, Haryana's standard recruitment norms typically allow:
These relaxations apply cumulatively where multiple categories overlap, but the upper age limit for any candidate (except ex-servicemen) cannot exceed 52 years.
What this means: If you are a general category candidate born before 4 January 1988 (for the January 2026 closing date), you are not eligible. The recruitment age limit for actual teaching posts (up to 42 years, with relaxations) is a separate matter - qualifying HTET does not override recruitment age caps.
Educational Qualification - Level by Level
Each level has distinct educational requirements. All teaching qualifications (D.El.Ed, B.Ed, B.El.Ed) must be from an NCTE-recognised institution. For Special Education diplomas, RCI recognition is required.
Level 1 - PRT (Primary Teacher, Classes 1 to 5)
You must satisfy one of the following pathways and the Hindi/Sanskrit language requirement:
Pathway options:
- Senior Secondary (class 12) with at least 50% marks and passed/appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed)
- Senior Secondary with at least 45% marks and a 2-year D.El.Ed (as per NCTE 2002 regulations)
- Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed/appearing in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed)
- Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed/appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education)
- Graduation and passed/appearing in the final year of a 2-year D.El.Ed
Mandatory language condition: You must have passed Matric with Hindi or Sanskrit, or Senior Secondary / Graduation / Post Graduation with Hindi as one of the subjects.
Category relaxation in qualifying marks: For SC, BC, and Differently Abled candidates of Haryana domicile, there is a 5% relaxation in the minimum qualifying marks. This means if the general requirement is 50%, the relaxed threshold becomes 47.5% (i.e., 50 minus 5% of 50). Similarly, if the requirement is 45%, the relaxed threshold becomes 42.75%. This exact formula was clarified by the Supreme Court judgment dated 18.08.2011 and is incorporated in the HTET bulletin.
Level 2 - TGT (Trained Graduate Teacher, Classes 6 to 8)
Eligibility for Level 2 is subject-specific. You must hold a bachelor's degree in the relevant subject with the required percentage and a teaching qualification. The language condition (Hindi/Sanskrit at matric or higher) applies to all subjects.
Here is the complete subject-wise breakdown:
TGT Social Studies
Qualifying degrees: B.A. / B.Com
Pathways (any one):
- B.A./B.Com + 2-year D.El.Ed
- B.A./B.Com with at least 50% marks + 2-year B.Ed
- B.A./B.Com with at least 45% marks + 2-year B.Ed
- Senior Secondary (50% marks) + 4-year B.El.Ed
- Senior Secondary (50% marks) + 4-year BA/B.Com Ed
- B.A./B.Com with at least 50% marks + 1-year B.Ed (Special Education)
Subject combination rule: In your B.A./B.Com, you must have studied English and at least two of the following subjects, each with at least 50% marks in aggregate individually across all years: History, Political Science, Economics, Geography, Sociology, Psychology. Additionally, at least History or Geography must have been studied for all three years of graduation.
Teaching subject: Social Studies must be a teaching subject in your B.Ed/D.El.Ed programme.
TGT Science
Qualifying degree: B.Sc
Pathways (any one):
- B.Sc + 2-year D.El.Ed
- B.Sc with at least 50% marks + 2-year B.Ed
- B.Sc with at least 45% marks + 2-year B.Ed
- Senior Secondary (50% marks) + 4-year B.El.Ed
- Senior Secondary (50% marks) + 4-year B.Sc Ed
- B.Sc with at least 50% marks + 1-year B.Ed (Special Education)
Subject combination rule: Your B.Sc must include at least three subjects from: Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Mathematics.
Teaching subject: Science must be a teaching subject in your professional qualification.
TGT Mathematics
Qualifying degree: B.A. / B.Sc. / B.Com
Core requirement: At least 50% marks in Mathematics as an elective subject throughout graduation.
Pathways (any one):
- Graduation (50% in Maths) + 2-year D.El.Ed
- Graduation (50% in Maths) + 2-year B.Ed
- Graduation (45% overall, 50% in Maths) + 2-year B.Ed
- Senior Secondary (50% marks) + 4-year B.El.Ed / integrated BA/B.Sc/B.Com Ed.
- Graduation (50% overall, 50% in Maths) + 2-year B.Ed (Special Education)
Teaching subject: Mathematics as a teaching subject in B.Ed.
TGT English
Core requirement: Bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks in English (as compulsory/elective/core/honours subject).
Pathways (any one):
- Graduation (50% in English) + English as a teaching subject in BTC/JBT/D.Ed/D.El.Ed
- Graduation (50% in English) + English as a teaching subject in B.Ed/B.Ed (Special Education)
- 4-year B.El.Ed with at least 50% marks in English
- 4-year integrated BA B.Ed with at least 50% marks in English
Language condition: Hindi or Sanskrit as a subject in Matric or higher education.
TGT Hindi
Pathways (any one):
- B.A. with at least 50% marks in Hindi (elective) + 2-year D.El.Ed
- B.A. with at least 50% marks in Hindi (elective) + 2-year B.Ed
- B.A. with at least 45% marks overall and 50% in Hindi (elective) + 2-year B.Ed
- Senior Secondary (50% marks) + 4-year B.El.Ed / BA Ed.
- B.A. with at least 50% marks in Hindi (elective) + 1-year B.Ed (Special Education)
Teaching subject: Hindi as a teaching subject in B.Ed.
Language condition: Matric with Hindi/Sanskrit or Class 12/BA/MA with Hindi.
TGT Sanskrit
Pathways (any one):
- B.A. with at least 50% marks in Sanskrit (elective) + 2-year D.El.Ed/B.Ed
- B.A. with at least 45% marks overall and 50% in Sanskrit + 2-year B.Ed
- Senior Secondary (50% marks) + 4-year B.El.Ed/BA Ed.
- B.A. with 50% in Sanskrit + 1-year B.Ed (Special Education)
- Shastri with at least 50% marks from a recognised university + Shiksha Shastri/Language Teachers Course/Oriental Training in Sanskrit conducted by Haryana government or equivalent.
Teaching subject: Sanskrit as a teaching subject in B.Ed.
Language condition: Matric with Hindi/Sanskrit or higher education with Hindi.
TGT Punjabi
Pathways: Same structure as Hindi - graduation with 50% marks in Punjabi as elective + D.El.Ed/B.Ed, or Senior Secondary (50%) + 4-year B.El.Ed/BA Ed. Punjabi must be a teaching subject in B.Ed.
Language condition: Hindi or Sanskrit as a subject at matric or higher.
TGT Urdu
Pathways: Graduation with 50% marks in Urdu as elective + D.El.Ed/B.Ed, or Senior Secondary (50%) + 4-year B.El.Ed/BA Ed. Urdu must be a teaching subject in B.Ed. Hindi/Sanskrit condition applies.
TGT Physical Education
Qualification: Graduate with Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P.Ed) or Diploma in Physical Education (D.P.Ed) or equivalent from a recognised university.
Language condition: Matric with Hindi/Sanskrit or Class 12/BA/MA with Hindi.
TGT Home Science
Pathways: B.Sc Home Science + 2-year D.El.Ed; or B.Sc Home Science with 50% marks + 2-year B.Ed; or Senior Secondary (50%) + 4-year B.El.Ed/BA/B.Sc Ed. Home Science must be a teaching subject in B.Ed. Hindi/Sanskrit condition applies.
TGT Art
Pathways: B.F.A./B.A. + 2-year D.El.Ed; or B.F.A./B.A. with 50% marks + 2-year B.Ed; or Senior Secondary (50%) + 4-year B.El.Ed/BA Ed. In case of B.A., at least 50% marks in Fine Art as an elective subject. Fine Art must be a teaching subject in B.Ed. Hindi/Sanskrit condition applies.
TGT Music
Pathways: B.A. + 2-year D.El.Ed; or B.A. with 50% marks + 2-year B.Ed; or Senior Secondary (50%) + 4-year B.El.Ed/BA Ed. In case of B.A. Music (vocal/instrumental), at least 50% marks in Music as an elective subject. Music must be a teaching subject in B.Ed. Hindi/Sanskrit condition applies.
Level 3 - PGT (Post Graduate Teacher, Classes 9 to 12)
For PGT, you must hold:
- Postgraduate degree in the concerned subject with at least 50% marks from a recognised university
- B.Ed degree from a recognised university
- Matric with Hindi/Sanskrit or Senior Secondary/Graduation/Post Graduation with Hindi as one of the subjects
- Consistent good academic record - defined as 50% marks after taking the average of any three examinations from 10th, 12th, Graduation, and Post-Graduation. However, you must have at least 50% marks in Post-Graduation (except for PGT Computer Science, where the requirement is 55% in Post-Graduation/Graduation).
Subject-specific PGT qualifications (key highlights):
5% relaxation: For SC and Differently Abled candidates of Haryana domicile, the minimum postgraduate marks are relaxed by 5% of the prescribed percentage. If the requirement is 50%, the relaxed mark is 47.5%; if 55%, it becomes 52.25%.
Number of Attempts - No Cap
There is no restriction on the number of HTET attempts. You can appear every cycle, as many times as you want, provided you meet the eligibility criteria each time. The certificate is valid for a lifetime, so you do not need to re-qualify unless you wish to improve your score.
Nationality - Indian Citizens Only
The HTET 2026 notification is unambiguous on this point: only Indian citizens are eligible. The detailed eligibility published by BSEH states that candidates must be Indian nationals. There is no mention of OCI, PIO, NRI, or foreign national eligibility in the 2026 bulletin. Candidates who are not Indian citizens should contact BSEH directly to clarify their status before assuming eligibility based on other exam rules.
Domicile and Reservation - Two Different Things
Appearing for the exam: Candidates from any state can apply. There is no domicile restriction for appearing in HTET 2026.
Reservation benefits: Reservation in qualifying marks and fee concessions are available only to candidates with Haryana domicile and valid category certificates. Candidates from other states, even if they belong to SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD categories, are treated as general category for all purposes - application fee, qualifying marks, and age limit.
This means:
- A candidate from Rajasthan in the SC category must pay the full fee (₹1,000 for one level), must score 90 marks (60%) to qualify, and must meet the general age limit (38 years).
- A candidate from Haryana in the SC category pays a reduced fee (₹500 for one level), qualifies with 82-83 marks (55%), and gets age relaxation of 5 years.
Category certificate validity: For the current cycle, BC (non-creamy layer) and EWS certificates must be valid for the financial year 2025-26 (i.e., issued on or after 1 April 2025, and based on income of FY 2024-25). Older certificates will not be accepted. SC certificates must be in the format prescribed by Haryana government (DSC/OSC classification as per the notification dated 13.11.2024).
HTET 2026 Application Fee
The fee structure from the official notification:
Payment is online only - debit card, credit card, net banking. Fees are non-refundable.
HTET vs CTET - A Quick Comparison
Documents Required for HTET Application
When the application window opens, have these scanned and ready. For the June 2026 cycle, the application window closed on 4 January 2026. For future cycles, use this checklist:
- Scanned passport-size colour photograph (20-50 KB, JPG format, 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm, white background, face covering at least 60% of the frame)
- Scanned signature (10-50 KB, JPG format)
- Scanned left-hand thumb impression (10-30 KB, JPG format)
- Class 10 mark sheet (for date of birth)
- Class 12 mark sheet
- Graduation mark sheets (all years)
- Post-graduation mark sheets (if applying for Level 3)
- D.El.Ed/B.Ed/B.El.Ed degree and mark sheets
- Category certificate (SC/BC/EWS/PwD - issued by competent Haryana authority, valid for current financial year)
- Haryana domicile certificate (if claiming reservation benefits)
- Aadhaar card (not mandatory, but recommended as ID proof)
- Valid email ID and mobile number (all communication happens through these)
Common Errors That Lead to Rejection
Error 1: Assuming B.Ed alone qualifies you for PRT. Level 1 specifically requires D.El.Ed or B.El.Ed. A standalone B.Ed without a diploma in elementary education does not meet the PRT eligibility criteria.
Error 2: Selecting the wrong subject for TGT. For TGT Social Studies, your graduation must include specific subject combinations (History/Geography for all three years, plus at least one more from Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Psychology). A candidate with B.A. in only History and Hindi is not eligible for TGT Social Studies. Check the exact subject requirements.
Error 3: Miscalculating percentages. Use your original mark sheets, not the provisional certificate. Calculate exactly as the board specifies. A 49.8% is not "close enough" - BSEH will disqualify you at verification.
Error 4: Submitting an expired category certificate. OBC non-creamy layer and EWS certificates must be issued in the current financial year and based on the previous year's income. For the 2026 cycle, certificates issued during 2024-25 will be rejected. The valid period is April 2025 to March 2026.
Error 5: Applying from outside Haryana but claiming reservation. Non-Haryana candidates cannot claim reservation in fees or qualifying marks. If you select a reserved category incorrectly, your application may be rejected or your candidature treated as general - and you may be asked to pay the fee difference.
Error 6: Uploading non-compliant photographs. Photo specifications for HTET are strict: 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm, white/light background, no glasses, 60% face coverage. Standard passport photos often get rejected. Print the spec sheet and show it to your photographer.
Step-by-Step Eligibility Verification (Do This Today)
- Pull out your original mark sheets - Class 10, 12, graduation, post-graduation, and all teaching qualification documents.
- Calculate exact percentages for the relevant qualifying examination using the formula specified in the HTET bulletin.
- Check the subject combination for TGT/PGT. For TGT Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics, the subject requirements are rigid. Verify them against the tables above.
- Confirm NCTE recognition of your teaching qualification. Search your institute on the NCTE website. If your programme is not recognised, you are ineligible - no exceptions.
- Check your category certificate validity. If you are claiming reservation, ensure your certificate is valid for the current financial year and in the prescribed format.
- Visit bseh.org.in and download the full information bulletin for the relevant cycle. Read it line by line. Do not rely on coaching ads or WhatsApp summaries.
What Happens After the Application Window
For the June 2026 cycle, the application window (December 2025 - January 2026) is long closed. If you applied, your next milestones are:
- Admit card: Released approximately 7-10 days before the exam on bseh.org.in. Download and verify all details.
- Exam: 13-14 June 2026. Level 3 (PGT) on 13 June; Level 2 (TGT) and Level 1 (PRT) on 14 June. Exact timings will be on the admit card.
- Answer key: BSEH releases a provisional answer key with an objection window (typically ₹1,000 per objection, refunded if valid). A final answer key follows.
- Result: Usually 1-2 months after the exam. Check bseh.org.in.
- Certificate: Qualified candidates can download it from DigiLocker or receive it by post. It is valid for a lifetime.
A Second Chance in 2026
BSEH has confirmed that a second HTET session will be conducted in October-November 2026. If you missed the January application window or want to improve your score, you will get another opportunity within the same calendar year. The eligibility criteria are expected to remain consistent. Start preparing your documents now.