OTET 2025: Notification, Application Form, Exam Date, Eligibility & Syllabus

Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha conducts the Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET) to make candidates eligible for the recruitment of Classes I to VIII teacher in government, private aided, and private unaided schools of Odisha. As per the official website, clearing the OTET exam is only one of the eligibility criteria for teacher recruitment. Merely qualifying the exam does not guarantee the appointment of a candidate in state schools.

Candidates who have cleared their Class XII or Graduation with minimum qualifying marks are eligible to appear for the OTET exam. The Odisha Teaching Eligibility test is conducted for two papers [Category A (Paper 1) and Category B (Paper 2)]. Candidates can appear for Paper 1 or Paper 2 or both papers as per their eligibility.

BSE Odisha conducts the OTET exam to determine the eligibility of candidates as Classes 1 to 8 teachers in Odisha schools. OTET exam notification contains important information such as the application process, eligibility criteria, exam dates, exam pattern, syllabus and other details. OTET Exam consists of two papers - Paper 1 and Paper 2. Questions are set to assess the candidate’s ability to analyze, interpret and apply the subject matter. There is no negative marking. Have a look at the highlights of the OTET 2025 exam below.

Also Read: TET 2025: Notification, Exam Date, Syllabus, Eligibility & Results

The application form for the OTET 2025 exam will be available online. Candidates need to pay the application fee while submitting the OTET application form 2025. Candidates need to apply online for the OTET 2025 exam by following the given steps:

• Visit the official website- bseodisha.ac.in
• Click on the OTET application link.
• Register for Paper 1 or Paper 2 or both.
• Fill out the application form.
• Upload the required documents.
• Pay the application fee.
• Submit and save the confirmation page.
• Take a printout.

Candidates need to fulfil the eligibility criteria to appear for the OTET 2025 exam. The OTET eligibility criteria 2025 for Paper 1 and Paper 2 is mentioned below:

OTET Eligibility Criteria for Category-A (Paper 1)

Candidates fulfilling any one of the below-mentioned parameters meet OTET 2025 eligibility criteria for Category-A (Paper 1):

• Candidates should clear Class XII with at least 50 per cent (45 per cent for SC/ST/OBC/SEBC/PwD candidates) aggregate marks. Also, candidates should possess a two-year diploma in Elementary Education (CT or DElEd).

• Candidates should clear Class XII with at least 45 per cent (40 per cent for SC/ST/OBC/SEBC/PwD candidates) aggregate marks. Also, candidates should possess a two-year diploma in Elementary Education, by the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure) Regulations, 2002.

• Candidates should clear Class XII with at least 50 per cent (45 per cent for SC/ ST/ OBC/ SEBC/ PwD candidates) aggregate marks. Also, candidates should possess a four-year diploma in BElEd.

• Candidates should clear Class XII with at least 50 per cent (45 per cent for SC/ ST/ OBC/ SEBC/ PwD candidates) aggregate marks. Also, candidates should possess a two-year diploma in Special Education.

• Candidates should clear graduation in any stream. Also, candidates should possess a two-year diploma in Elementary Education/ Special Education.

OTET Eligibility Criteria for Category-B (Paper 2)

Candidates fulfilling either of the below-mentioned parameters meet OTET 2025 eligibility criteria for Category-B (Paper 2):

• Candidates should clear graduation with at least 50 per cent (45 per cent for SC/ ST/ OBC/ SEBC/ PwD candidates) marks. Also, candidates should pass a one-year course in Bachelor in Education (BEd).

• Candidates should clear graduation with at least 45 per cent (40 per cent for SC/ ST/ OBC/ SEBC/ PwD candidates) marks. Also, candidates should pass a one-year BEd course by the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure) Regulations issued from time to time in this regard.

• Candidates should clear graduation with at least 50 per cent (45 per cent for SC/ ST/ OBC/ SEBC/ PwD candidates) marks. Also, candidates should pass a one-year course in BEd (Special Education).

• Candidates should clear Class XII with at least 50 per cent (45 per cent for SC/ ST/ OBC/ SEBC/ PwD candidates) aggregate marks. Also, candidates should pass a four-year BA Ed/ BSc Ed course.

Note: All candidates meeting the eligibility criteria to apply under Category B (Paper 2) are not eligible to apply under Category A (Paper 1).

Also, all untrained candidates belonging to the SC/ ST/ PwD category securing at least 45 per cent marks in Class XII/ graduation are also eligible to apply for the OTET 2025 exam. “This is only to provide better opportunities to SC, ST, and PH candidates and this does not give them any entitlement for engagement,” informs the official website.

Revised OTET Eligibility Criteria

Candidates having the following specific OTET eligibility in terms of educational qualification can also apply:

• Category 1 (Paper 1): Post-graduation with a minimum of 55 per cent marks and three-year integrated B.Ed – M.Ed.
• Category 2 (Paper 2): Post-graduation with a minimum 50 per cent mark and B.Ed or Post-graduation with a minimum 55 per cent mark and three-year integrated B.Ed – M.Ed.

The OTET 2025 exam process is comprised of various steps. Have a look at the complete process of the OTET exam below:

Step 1: Release of OTET Notification 

The OTET examination process begins with the release of notification. The notification informs the candidates about the registration process, applicability, eligibility criteria, important dates, exam structure and syllabus and other details. 

Step 2: Start of Application Process

The BSE Odisha begins the OTET Application Process after the release of notification. Candidates who want to appear for the OTET exam need to register and apply online for the OTET. To fill the application form, candidates are required to pay a certain fee (General/Other Category: INR 500; SC/ST Category: INR 300). Candidates must fill in the details carefully as the information once submitted by candidates cannot be changed at later stage.

Step 3: Issue of OTET Admit Card

The OTET Admit Card will be released on the official website of the BSE Odisha. Candidates can download their OTET admit card from bseodisha.ac.in. The OTET admit card will contain the following details:

• Candidate's name
• Candidate's roll number
• Father's Name
• Mother's Name
• Exam date and time
• Name and Address of exam centre
• Candidate's Photo
• Candidate's Signature
• Exam Day Instructions

Step 4: Appear for OTET Exam

Candidates who will apply for the OTET will be required to appear for the OTET exam. The exam comprises two papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2. The OTET Paper 1 is for Class I - V teachers and Paper 2 is for Class VI - VIII teachers. Both the papers are held separately. Candidates can appear for either Paper 1 or Paper 2 or both the papers. 

Step 5: Release of OTET Result

OTET result will be declared on the official website of the college. It may be noted that the minimum qualifying marks for the OTET exam are 60 per cent (50 per cent for SC/ ST/ OBC/ SEBC/ PwD candidates). Candidates whose names appear in the OTET merit list will then be eligible for teaching jobs in different schools of Odisha.

Have a look at the OTET exam pattern 2025 below for Paper 1 and Paper 2:

OTET Paper 1 Pattern 2025

OTET Paper 2 Pattern 2025

The syllabus for the OTET 2025 exam contains the topics that candidates need to prepare for Paper 1 and Paper 2. The BSE Odisha prescribes the OTET syllabus 2025 for Paper 1 and Paper 2. Candidates need to know the OTET exam syllabus to be familiar with the subjects, number of questions, important topics, and marking scheme. Candidates should prepare the complete syllabus to ace the OTET exam with highs scores.