So you want to teach in a secondary or senior secondary school in Bihar? Good choice. The first step is to make sure you meet the Bihar STET eligibility rules before you spend time and money on the form. This guide covers who can apply for Paper 1 (Classes 9–10) and Paper 2 (Classes 11–12): the qualification for each paper, age limits and relaxations, nationality, attempts and the documents you will need.

The Bihar Secondary Teacher Eligibility Test (STET) is run by the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB). The 2026 cycle was announced under Advertisement No. P.R. 183/2026. Everything below is based on reports of that notification. Always check your own case against the official notification before you apply.

Key Takeaways

• You must be an Indian citizen. Most reports of the 2026 notification give a minimum age of 21 years on 1 August 2026.
• The upper age limit is 37 years for unreserved men, 40 years for unreserved women and BC/EBC candidates, and 42 years for SC/ST candidates. A few sites give different figures, explained below.
• Paper 1 (Classes 9–10) needs a Bachelor's degree in the subject with at least 50% marks, plus a B.Ed or an approved equivalent.
• Paper 2 (Classes 11–12) needs a Master's degree in the subject with at least 50% marks, plus a B.Ed. The Computer Science route is an exception and does not need a B.Ed.
• Reported reports say SC/ST/EBC/BC/Divyang candidates get a 5% relaxation in qualifying degree marks.
• There is no limit on attempts, and the STET certificate is valid for life.

Bihar STET Eligibility at a Glance

Here is a quick summary of the main rules. The sections after it explain each point.

The big difference is the degree. Paper 1 is built around graduation and Paper 2 around post-graduation. Age, nationality and attempt rules are the same for both.

Nationality and Domicile: Who Can Apply?

The first condition is simple: you must be an Indian citizen. Reports of the notification also say that all degrees and certificates must come from recognised universities or institutions.

Do you need to be from Bihar? You do not need Bihar domicile just to sit the exam. Candidates from other states can apply if they meet the other conditions. Reservation benefits are different. To claim them (SC, ST, BC, EBC, EWS and so on), you will generally need a valid Bihar residence or domicile certificate along with your category certificate.

If you are from another state, you will usually be treated as an unreserved candidate. That means the unreserved age limit and qualifying standards apply to you.

Bihar STET Eligibility: Age Limit and Relaxations

Age is where many candidates get caught out, so check it carefully. Both the minimum and maximum age are counted as on 1 August 2026.

Minimum Age

Most sources, including those that cite the notification directly, give the minimum age as 21 years, with no relaxation for anyone. A few job portals list 18 years instead. Because the sources disagree, please check the official notification. Treat 21 as the safe figure.

Maximum Age by Category

A heads-up: some aggregator websites give the maximum age for women as 42 years rather than 40. Most detailed sources give 40 for unreserved women. Because the sources disagree, check the official notification for your exact limit.

Extra Relaxation for Divyang Candidates and Ex-Servicemen

• Divyang (PwD) candidates: 10 years of extra relaxation on the upper age limit, as reported under the General Administration Department resolution dated 22.01.2021.
• Ex-servicemen: relaxation equal to their actual period of defence service plus 3 years. Their age at the time of applying must not be more than 57 years.

The Relaxation Trap for Previously Trained or Appointed Teachers

This rule often surprises people. Reports of the notification say that candidates who were already trained or appointed through earlier STET cycles (2019, 2024 and 2025) get no upper age relaxation in any category. If this applies to you, check your date of birth against the plain category limit before you pay the fee.

Bihar STET Paper 1 Eligibility (Classes 9–10)

Paper 1 is for people who want to teach secondary classes, Classes 9 and 10. Here is what you need for Bihar STET Paper 1 eligibility.

The Main Qualification Routes

As reported from the notification, you should meet any one of these routes for your chosen subject:

1. A Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject with at least 50% marks, plus a B.Ed.
2. A Master's degree in the relevant subject, plus a B.Ed.
3. A Bachelor's or Master's degree with at least 45% marks under the NCTE norms of 2002 and 2007, plus a B.Ed.
4. A 4-year integrated B.A.Ed or B.Sc.Ed course in the specified subject.

Your B.Ed or integrated degree should come from an NCTE-recognised institution.

Subject-Specific Conditions for Paper 1

Some subjects have extra rules about what you studied in graduation. Two that come up often:

• Mathematics: In graduation you should have studied Mathematics along with any two of Physics, Electronics, Computer Science, Chemistry or Statistics. Engineering graduates with Mathematics as a specialisation are also reported as eligible, and BCA with Computer Science is also considered.
• Social Science: You should have passed any two of History, Geography, Economics and Political Science, and one of them must be History or Geography. Ancient History counts as History.

Other subjects, such as the languages (Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit, Maithili, Bangla and others), have their own detailed conditions. The subject-wise table in the official notification is the final word. Find your exact subject there and match it line by line with your marksheets.

Bihar STET Paper 2 Eligibility (Classes 11–12)

Paper 2 is for teaching senior secondary classes, Classes 11 and 12. The bar is higher because you are teaching subjects in more depth. Here is what Bihar STET Paper 2 eligibility looks like.

The Main Qualification Routes

As reported from the notification, you need one of the following:

1. A Master's degree in the relevant subject with at least 50% marks (some sources say second division), plus a B.Ed, or a B.A.Ed / B.Sc.Ed.
2. A Master's degree with at least 45% marks under NCTE norms, plus a B.Ed.
3. A Master's degree with 55% marks plus the 3-year integrated B.Ed-M.Ed course.

One note on route 3: sources word it slightly differently. Some call it a three-year B.Ed-M.Ed course and others a three-year integrated B.A.B.Ed / B.Sc.B.Ed. If this is your route, check the exact wording in the official notification.

Separate Rules for Commerce, Computer Science, Agriculture and Music

The notification sets out separate qualifications for Commerce, Computer Science, Agriculture and Music. For Commerce, sources report a Master's degree in commerce subjects from a recognised university with at least 50% marks.

The Computer Science Exception

This is the one place where Paper 2 really stands apart. For the Paper 2 Computer Science route, a B.Ed is not compulsory. The notification accepts set qualifications such as B.E. / B.Tech in Computer Science or IT, M.Sc in Computer Science, MCA, and certain DOEACC routes, generally with at least 50% marks.

So if you have an MCA or a B.Tech in CS but no B.Ed, Paper 2 Computer Science may still be open to you. Read the exact list of accepted degrees in the notification first.

Paper 1 vs Paper 2: Where the Eligibility Differs

Here are the differences side by side:

In short: if you have a Bachelor's degree and a B.Ed, Paper 1 is your door. If you have a Master's degree and a B.Ed, you may be eligible for both papers.

Marks Relaxation for Reserved Categories

Is your graduation or PG percentage a little below 50%? Don't lose heart straight away. Reports say candidates from the SC, ST, EBC, BC and Divyang categories get a 5% relaxation in marks. In practice, the 50% requirement becomes 45% for these categories.

To claim this, you will need a valid category certificate. BC and EBC candidates also need an up-to-date non-creamy layer certificate, so keep it ready.

Don't confuse this with the qualifying marks for the STET exam itself. Those are a separate, category-wise cut-off that you must reach in the test to get your certificate. For the exact qualifying percentages, check the official notification.

Number of Attempts and Certificate Validity

There is no limit on attempts. If things don't go your way this time, you can try again in a later cycle, as long as you still meet the age and qualification rules.

The STET qualifying certificate is also valid for life, under the departmental order dated 22.06.2021. Clearing it once is enough. You will not need to sit it again because an old certificate has expired.

Remember that STET is an eligibility test, not a recruitment exam. Passing it makes you eligible to be a teacher but does not give you a job by itself. You still have to apply through separate recruitment drives, such as the BPSC teacher recruitment exams. For dates, fees and the application process, read our Bihar STET Notification 2026: Dates, Fee and How to Apply guide.

Documents Needed to Prove Your Eligibility

Getting your documents in order early saves a lot of last-minute stress. Based on the application guides for 2026, keep these ready:

• Class 10 (Matric) certificate and marksheet, as proof of date of birth
• Class 12 (Intermediate) certificate and marksheet
• Graduation degree and marksheets
• Post-graduation degree and marksheets (needed for Paper 2)
• B.Ed, B.A.Ed / B.Sc.Ed or other teacher-training certificate and marksheet
• Caste certificate for SC/ST candidates
• Up-to-date non-creamy layer certificate for BC/EBC candidates
• EWS certificate, if applicable
• Bihar residence / domicile certificate, if you are claiming reservation
• Divyang certificate from the competent authority, if applicable
• Ex-serviceman certificate, if you are claiming age relaxation
• Recent passport-size colour photograph and scanned signature in the format the portal asks for
• A working mobile number and email ID

One practical tip: make sure your name, date of birth and other details match exactly across every document and your application. Small mismatches cause problems at verification later.

Can You Apply for One Paper or Both?

You can apply for one paper or both, depending on what you qualify for. If you have a Master's degree and a B.Ed and meet the subject conditions at both levels, you can usually sit both papers. That keeps both the Classes 9–10 and Classes 11–12 options open. Because the certificate lasts for life, a second qualification can be a smart long-term move.

If you only have a Bachelor's degree and a B.Ed, stick to Paper 1 for now. You can come back for Paper 2 once you finish your post-graduation.

Common Eligibility Mistakes to Avoid

After years of watching aspirants apply, a few mistakes keep coming back:

1. Choosing the wrong subject. Your STET subject must match what you studied at graduation (Paper 1) or post-graduation (Paper 2), including the subject combinations described above.
2. Rounding your percentage up. If your aggregate is 49.6%, don't assume it counts as 50%. Check how the notification treats percentages.
3. Missing the cut-off date. Age is counted as on 1 August 2026, not on the day you fill the form.
4. Ignoring the earlier-cycle rule. Candidates already trained or appointed through earlier STET cycles get no upper age relaxation.
5. Old category certificates. An out-of-date non-creamy layer certificate can cost you the relaxation.

How to Prepare Once You Know You Are Eligible

Once you know you are eligible, it's time to prepare. Reports say the STET is a 150-mark objective computer-based test lasting 150 minutes. 100 marks come from your specified subject and 50 marks from Teaching Art and Other Skills. There is no negative marking.

That 50-mark Teaching Art section is the same kind of paper for everyone, whichever subject you choose, and it often decides who qualifies. Here is a simple plan:

Recommended Practice Material

A Simple Study Plan

• Weeks 1–4: Revise your subject syllabus topic by topic, and solve a few Teaching Art practice sets each week.
• Weeks 5–8: Move to full-length timed practice. Our online test series can help you get used to the computer-based format.
• Every day: Spend 15–20 minutes on daily current affairs. It also keeps you ready for the recruitment exams that follow STET.

You can browse more books for competitive exams when you plan your later teacher recruitment preparation.

Conclusion

Checking your Bihar STET eligibility comes down to four questions. Are you an Indian citizen? Do you meet the age limit for your category on 1 August 2026? Do you have the right degree with the required marks for your paper? Do you have a B.Ed or an accepted equivalent? Paper 1 needs a relevant Bachelor's degree, and Paper 2 needs a relevant Master's degree. Computer Science candidates for Paper 2 do not need a B.Ed.

If you tick all four boxes, the hardest part is behind you. Gather your documents, check your subject in the official notification, and start preparing steadily. With no limit on attempts and a certificate that lasts for life, every hour you put in now counts towards your teaching career. You've got this!

FAQs

What is the minimum age for Bihar STET?

Most reports of the 2026 notification say you must be at least 21 years old on 1 August 2026, with no relaxation for anyone. A few job portals say 18 years instead. Because the sources disagree, check the official notification. Treat 21 as the safe figure.

Is B.Ed compulsory for both Paper 1 and Paper 2?

For almost all subjects, yes. You need a B.Ed or an accepted equivalent, such as the 4-year B.A.Ed / B.Sc.Ed. The main exception is the Paper 2 Computer Science route. There, set degrees such as a B.Tech in CS/IT, an M.Sc in Computer Science or an MCA are accepted without a B.Ed.

Can candidates from other states apply for Bihar STET?

Yes. Any Indian citizen who meets the qualification and age rules can apply. To claim reservation benefits, however, you generally need a valid Bihar residence or domicile certificate. Candidates from other states are usually treated as unreserved.

How many times can I attempt Bihar STET?

There is no limit on attempts. You can sit the exam in any cycle as long as you still meet the age limit and the educational qualification for your paper and subject.

How long is the Bihar STET certificate valid?

The STET qualifying certificate is valid for life, under the departmental order dated 22.06.2021. Once you qualify, you never need to sit the test again for the same paper. Remember, though, that the certificate makes you eligible but does not guarantee a job.

Can I apply for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 together?

Yes, if you are eligible for both. A candidate with a relevant Master's degree and a B.Ed who meets the subject conditions at both levels can usually apply for both papers. A candidate with only a Bachelor's degree and a B.Ed can apply for Paper 1 only.