The Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC), Ranchi, has officially announced the schedule for the Jharkhand Teacher Eligibility Test (JTET) 2026, a state-level examination designed to determine eligibility for teaching positions in Primary (Classes 1 to 5) and Upper Primary (Classes 6 to 8) schools across the state. The notification was released on March 28, 2026, and online applications were invited starting April 21. Today, June 2, 2026, marks the final deadline for submission of online applications, following an extension of the registration period. Candidates can complete the application process through the official JTET portal. JAC has also confirmed that the written examination will be conducted on June 14, 2026.
Examination Schedule and Application Details
JTET 2026 is a state-level eligibility examination that will be conducted in offline mode using OMR sheets. The council has clarified that the test serves only as a qualifying examination and does not guarantee appointment to teaching posts. Application fees vary by category and paper selection. Candidates from the General, EWS, BC-1, and BC-2 categories are required to pay Rs 1,300 for either Paper 1 or Paper 2 and Rs 1,500 for both papers. For SC and ST candidates, the fee is Rs 700 for a single paper and Rs 800 for both. PVTG applicants must pay Rs 500 for one paper and Rs 600 for both, while Divyang candidates are required to pay Rs 700 for one paper and Rs 800 for both. A direct link to apply online for JTET 2026 is available on the official website.
Eligibility Requirements for Candidates
For the Primary level (Classes 1 to 5), candidates must have passed Class 12 with at least 50 per cent marks along with a two-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) or an equivalent qualification. Other recognised pathways include Graduation with D.El.Ed, a four-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed), and Class 12 with a Diploma in Special Education. For the Upper Primary level (Classes 6 to 8), applicants must possess a Graduation degree with D.El.Ed or B.Ed. Candidates holding integrated programmes such as BA B.Ed or B.Sc B.Ed are also eligible. Qualifications in Special Education recognised by relevant authorities are accepted.
Examination Pattern and Qualifying Criteria
The examination will consist of objective-type multiple-choice questions with no negative marking. Papers will be available in both Hindi and English. Level 1 (Primary) and Level 2 (Upper Primary) examinations will each carry 150 marks and have a duration of two hours and 30 minutes. The minimum qualifying score is 60 per cent for General and EWS candidates, 55 per cent for BC-1 and BC-2 categories, and 52 per cent for SC, ST, PVTG, and Divyang candidates. JAC has also announced a one-time age relaxation linked to the gap between successive JTET examination cycles.
