The Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha, has officially released the notification for the Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET) 2026. The notification was published on 23th March 2026, inviting applications from eligible candidates (both in-service and fresh) for the state-level eligibility test.
As per the official schedule, the online application process will commence on 26th March 2026. Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the official BSE Odisha website, www.bseodisha.nic.in. The last date for online registration and fee payment is 9th April 2026. The examination is scheduled to be held on 29th May 2026 in two shifts.

Odisha TET 2026: Key Highlights
The Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET) is a mandatory qualifying examination for candidates aspiring to become teachers for classes I to V (Paper-I) and classes VI to VIII (Paper-II) in government schools across Odisha. The exam will consist of two papers, each with objective-type questions.
| Conducting Body | Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET) 2026 |
| Notification No. | 822 /Conf-1/DT3-03-2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Registration Dates | 26th March to 9th April 2026 |
| Exam Date | 29th May 2026 |
| Exam Papers | Paper-I (Classes I-V); Paper-II (Classes VI-VIII) |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours 30 minutes for each paper |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
OTET Notification 2026 Download PDF
The Board of Secondary Education, Odisha, has released the detailed notification for OTET 2026. The notification contains comprehensive information on eligibility criteria, examination pattern, syllabus, application process, and other essential instructions. Candidates are strongly advised to read the detailed notification carefully before filling out the application form.

Download OTET Notification 2026 PDF (Available on the official website)
OTET Application Process 2026
Candidates who wish to appear for the Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test must submit their applications online through the BSE Odisha website. The application window will be open from 26th March 2026 to 9th April 2026.
Step-by-step application process:
- Step 1: Visit the official website of the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha: www.bseodisha.nic.in.
- Step 2: Click on the link for “OTET 2026” or “Online Application” on the homepage.
- Step 3: Read the instructions carefully and proceed to register. Candidates will have to select their paper preference:
- Paper-I only (for classes I-V)
- Paper-II only (for classes VI-VIII)
- Both Papers (for candidates eligible for both levels)
- Step 4: Complete the registration by providing basic details. A registration ID and password will be generated.
- Step 5: Log in and fill out the online application form with all the required personal, educational, and contact details.
- Step 6: Upload scanned copies of your recent photograph, signature, and any other documents as specified.
- Step 7: Pay the required application fee through the online payment gateway.
- Step 8: After successful payment, submit the application form. Download and take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.
Note: The information submitted by the candidate relating to personal data, address, caste, subject, etc., during online registration cannot be changed at any later stage. Candidates are advised to fill the form carefully.
OTET Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates applying for the Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test must fulfill the minimum educational qualifications prescribed by the Board. The eligibility criteria vary for Paper-I (Classes I-V) and Paper-II (Classes VI-VIII).
Relaxation: A relaxation of 5% in the minimum qualifying marks in Higher Secondary or graduation level, as the case may be, is allowed for candidates belonging to SC, ST, SEBC, and PwD categories.
Eligibility for Paper-I (Classes I-V)
Candidates must possess any one of the following qualifications:
- Higher Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (CT or D.El.Ed.).
- Higher Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 45% marks and a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (in accordance with NCTE Regulations, 2002).
- Higher Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.).
- Higher Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education).
- Graduation and a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education.
- Graduation with at least 50% marks and a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.).
- Post-Graduation with a minimum 55% marks or equivalent grade and a 3-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed. (Such candidates must undergo a 6-month Bridge Course in Elementary Education within two years of appointment as a primary teacher).
Eligibility for Paper-II (Classes VI-VIII)
Candidates must possess any one of the following qualifications:
- Graduation and a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education.
- At least 50% marks either in Graduation or in Post-Graduation and a B.Ed. degree.
- Graduation with at least 45% marks and a 1-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed.) in accordance with NCTE Regulations.
- Higher Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and a 4-year Bachelor in Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.).
- Higher Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and a 4-year B.A./B.Sc.Ed or B.A.Ed./B.Sc.Ed.
- Graduation with at least 50% marks and a 1-year B.Ed. (Special Education).
- Post-Graduation with a minimum 55% marks or equivalent grade and a 3-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed.
Additional Notes:
- Candidates possessing D.Ed. (Special Education) or B.Ed. (Special Education) qualifications shall undergo, after appointment, an NCTE-recognized 6-month Special Programme in Elementary Education.
- Candidates who have the qualification or are pursuing the final year of any of the recognized teacher education courses can also appear in the respective category for which they are eligible.
OTET Exam Dates 2026
The BSE Odisha has announced the complete schedule for the OTET 2026 examination. The exam will be conducted on the same day for both papers in different shifts.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 26th March 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 9th April 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 9th April 2026 (by 11:45 PM) |
| Admit Card Release Date | 15th May 2026 |
| OTET Paper-I Exam Date & Time | 29th May 2026 (09:00 AM to 11:30 AM) |
| OTET Paper-II Exam Date & Time | 29th May 2026 (02:00 PM to 04:30 PM) |
Odisha TET Exam Pattern 2026
The OTET examination consists of two papers. Candidates can choose to appear for Paper-I, Paper-II, or both. Each paper is of 2 hours 30 minutes duration and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), each carrying 1 mark. There is no negative marking.
| Particulars | Paper-I (Classes I-V) | Paper-II (Classes VI-VIII) |
|---|---|---|
| Subjects & Weightage | Child Development & Pedagogy: 30 Marks | Child Development & Pedagogy: 30 Marks |
| Language-I (Odia/Hindi/Telugu/Urdu/Bengali): 30 Marks | Language-I (Odia/Hindi/Telugu/Urdu/Bengali): 30 Marks | |
| Language-II (English): 30 Marks | Language-II (English): 30 Marks | |
| Mathematics: 30 Marks | Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies: 60 Marks | |
| Environmental Studies: 30 Marks | ||
| Total Marks | 150 | 150 |
| Total Questions | 150 | 150 |
| Duration | 2 hours 30 minutes | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Negative Marking | None | None |
| Language | Bilingual (Odia & English) for non-language subjects | Bilingual (Odia & English) for non-language subjects |
OTET Qualifying Marks 2026
To be declared successful in the OTET examination, candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks as specified below:
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| General | 60% |
| SC, ST, SEBC, PwD | 50% |
Odisha TET Examination Centres 2026
Candidates applying for both papers will be assigned to the same examination centre. However, candidates applying for Paper-I and Paper-II separately will not be assigned the same centre.
Also Read: Odisha BEd Entrance Notification 2026 OUT, Application Form Date, Form Fees, Exam Date & Eligibility
FAQs
Ques: What is the full form of OTET?
Ans: OTET stands for the Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test. It is a qualifying exam for candidates who wish to teach classes I-V and VI-VIII in government schools in Odisha.
Ques: When will the OTET Application Form 2026 be available?
Ans: The online application process for OTET 2026 will start on 26th March 2026.
Ques: What is the last date to apply for the OTET 2026 Exam?
Ans: The last date for online submission and fee payment is 9th April 2026 (by 11:45 PM).
Ques: What is the OTET Exam Date 2026?
Ans: The Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test 2026 will be held on 29th May 2026. Paper-I will be conducted in the morning shift (9:00 AM to 11:30 AM) and Paper-II in the afternoon shift (2:00 PM to 4:30 PM).
Ques: What is the minimum qualifying marks for OTET 2026?
Ans: General candidates must secure 60% marks to pass, while SC, ST, SEBC, and PwD candidates require 50% marks.