If you want to teach Classes 9 to 12 in Bihar, the Bihar STET notification is the first document to understand. The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB), also called the Bihar Vidyalaya Pariksha Samiti, published the Secondary Teacher Eligibility Test (STET) 2026 notification under Advertisement No. P.R. 183/2026. This guide covers the important dates, application fee, eligibility, exam pattern and what changed from the 2025 cycle.
The exam is only days away and the admit cards are out. So let's go through everything you need, step by step.
Key Takeaways
- Notification: Advertisement No. P.R. 183/2026, issued by BSEB in August 2026.
- Application window: Opened 17 August 2026. The last date was first 31 August and was later extended to 22 September 2026.
- Admit card: Released on 18 October 2026 (afternoon).
- Exam dates: 25 October to 20 November 2026, as a computer-based test (CBT).
- Fee: ₹960 for one paper or ₹1,440 for both (General/EWS/BC/EBC). ₹760 for one paper or ₹1,140 for both (SC/ST/PwD).
- Vacancies: None. STET is an eligibility test, not a recruitment exam.
- Certificate: Reported to be valid for life.
Bihar STET Notification 2026 at a Glance
Here is a quick overview before we look at each detail.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Bihar School Examination Board (Bihar Vidyalaya Pariksha Samiti) |
| Controlling department | Education Department, Government of Bihar |
| Advertisement number | P.R. 183/2026 |
| Exam name | Secondary Teacher Eligibility Test (STET) 2026 |
| Paper I | Secondary level (Classes 9–10) |
| Paper II | Higher Secondary level (Classes 11–12) |
| Exam mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT), objective type |
| Application mode | Online only |
| Registration portal | stetregistration.cbrt.co.in |
| Other websites listed | bsebstet.org, secondary.biharboardonline.com |
The notification names stetregistration.cbrt.co.in as the application portal. News sites also list bsebstet.org and the Bihar Board website. Always use the portal named in the official notice.
Bihar STET Important Dates 2026
The dates matter most right now. Here is the full timeline as published in the BSEB notices.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification issued | 14 August 2026 (one source says 13 August) |
| Online application starts | 17 August 2026 (afternoon) |
| Original last date (apply and pay fee) | 31 August 2026 |
| Extended last date (apply and pay fee) | 22 September 2026 |
| Age reckoning date | 1 August 2026 |
| First dummy admit card | 25–30 September 2026 |
| Second dummy admit card | 1–7 October 2026 |
| Final admit card | 18 October 2026 (afternoon) |
| Bihar STET exam 2026 | 25 October to 20 November 2026 |
| Answer key and result | Check the official notification |
A note on conflicting dates
Sources disagree on a few dates, so here they are side by side:
- Notification date: Most reports give 14 August 2026, while Careers360 gives 13 August 2026.
- Last date to apply: The notification first set 31 August 2026, and many early articles still show that. Later reports say BSEB extended it to 22 September 2026. One site also lists 15 September. 22 September is the most widely reported final date.
The application window is now closed. If you applied, your next steps are the admit card and the exam.
Vacancies: Is There a Fixed Number?
Many students ask how many vacancies the Bihar STET notification has. The short answer: none. STET is a qualifying eligibility test. It certifies that you are eligible to teach at the secondary or higher secondary level in Bihar.
Passing STET does not give you a job. Teacher posts are filled through separate recruitment drives, under the rules and vacancies those authorities announce. So treat STET as your entry ticket, not the final selection.
Bihar STET Application Fee 2026
The fee depends on your category and on whether you apply for one paper or both.
| Category | One Paper (I or II) | Both Papers |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS / BC / EBC | ₹960 | ₹1,440 |
| SC / ST / PwD (Divyang) | ₹760 | ₹1,140 |
| Candidates from other states (all categories) | ₹960 | ₹1,440 |
Candidates from outside Bihar pay the General category fee. Payment was online, by debit card, credit card or net banking (some sources also list UPI). The fee is non-refundable, so check your category before you pay.
Eligibility and Age Limit
Educational qualification
- Paper I (Classes 9–10): A bachelor's degree in the relevant subject (reported as at least 50% marks) plus B.Ed.
- Paper II (Classes 11–12): A postgraduate degree in the relevant subject (reported as second division) plus B.Ed. Reports say B.Ed. is not required for Computer Science.
- Special subjects: Physical Education, Music, Fine Arts, Dance and Special School Teacher posts have their own professional qualification rules. Read the subject-wise section of P.R. 183/2026.
Age limit (as on 1 August 2026)
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (Male) | 37 years |
| Unreserved (Female) | 40 years |
| BC / EBC (Male and Female) | 40 years |
| SC / ST (Male and Female) | 42 years |
The minimum age is 21 years. Divyang candidates get 10 years of relaxation. Ex-servicemen get 3 years plus their service period, as long as their actual age does not cross 57. Reserved-category age relaxation applies only to candidates whose original domicile is Bihar.
Bihar STET Exam Pattern and Qualifying Marks
Knowing the pattern helps you plan your last few days of revision.
Exam pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Specified subject | 100 | 100 |
| Teaching Art and Other Skills (Shikshan Kala evam Anya Dakshta) | 50 | 50 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
- Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes)
- Marking: +1 for each correct answer
- Negative marking: None
- Normalisation: Reports say the notification applies normalisation because the exam runs in several shifts.
Qualifying marks
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| General | 50% |
| BC | 45.5% |
| EBC | 42.5% |
| SC / ST | 40% |
| Divyang (PwD) | 40% |
| Women | 40% |
These qualifying percentages are reported to apply to Bihar domicile candidates. Since there is no negative marking, try every question. A smart guess can only help you.
How to Apply for Bihar STET
The 2026 window is closed, but the steps are useful for the next cycle. Applications were online only, through the STET registration portal:
- Register: Create an account and verify your mobile number by OTP.
- Fill the form: Enter your personal, educational and category details, and choose Paper I, Paper II or both.
- Upload documents: Add a recent photograph, your signature and the certificates asked for.
- Pay the fee: Pay online for your category and the number of papers.
- Submit and save: Check every field, submit, and download the confirmation page and payment receipt.
- Check the dummy admit card: BSEB released dummy admit cards so candidates could spot and fix errors before the final admit card.
What Changed in the Bihar STET Notification from the Last Cycle
Here is how STET 2026 compares with STET 2025.
| Point | STET 2025 | STET 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Advertisement | PR 218/2025 (later notice PR 221/2025) | P.R. 183/2026 |
| Application window | Final window 19 September to 5 October 2025 (after a postponement and a Patna High Court-ordered extension) | 17 August to 22 September 2026 (extended from 31 August) |
| Exam dates | 14 October to 16 November 2025 | 25 October to 20 November 2026 |
| Application portal | bsebstet.org / Bihar Board website | stetregistration.cbrt.co.in |
| Fee (one paper) | ₹960 / ₹760 | ₹960 / ₹760 (unchanged) |
| Result | Declared 5 January 2026 | Check the official notification |
Key changes to note
- Earlier start, longer window: Applications opened in mid-August instead of September.
- Fewer last-minute shifts: In 2025 the application dates moved more than once and the exam dates were revised. The 2026 schedule has had only the last-date extension.
- No extra age relaxation for trained candidates: STET exams were held in recent years (2023, 2024 and 2025), so the 2026 notice gives no extra upper-age relaxation on that ground alone. Check your date of birth carefully.
- Fee note: For 2025, one Careers360 report put the General fee for both papers at ₹1,140, while Shiksha and others give ₹1,440. For 2026, sources agree on ₹1,440.
Admit Card and Exam Day Checklist
BSEB released the final admit card on 18 October 2026. You can download it from the registration portal with your User ID and password. Your exam date, shift and centre are printed on it.
Before the exam, check:
- Your name, photo, paper and subject on the admit card
- Your exact date, shift and reporting time
- The location of your centre (visit it a day before if you can)
- A printed admit card plus a valid photo ID
How to Prepare in the Final Weeks
The exam window runs until 20 November, so you may still have time. Put that time into practice, not new topics.
Recommended practice material
| Resource | What it is for | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| STET SHIKSHAN KALA EVAM ANYA DAKSHTA PRACTICE SETS \ | PAPER 1 & PAPER 2 \ | BIHAR SHIKSHAK PATRATA PARIKSHA | Practice sets for the 50-mark Teaching Art and Other Skills section, common to Paper 1 and Paper 2 |
| Your subject's standard graduation or postgraduation textbooks | Revising the 100-mark specified subject section |
The Teaching Art section carries a third of the paper, and it is the same for every subject. That makes it the easiest place to gain marks. You can also browse our books for competitive exams for more subject-wise help.
A simple final-week plan
- Daily mock: Take one timed paper of 150 questions in 150 minutes. Our online test series lets you practise in a CBT-style setting.
- Error log: Write down every mistake and revise those topics the next morning.
- Stay updated: Education policies and general awareness can come up in teaching aptitude questions. A few minutes a day on daily current affairs keeps you sharp.
- Rest well: A fresh mind on exam day is worth more than one extra night of study.
Conclusion
The Bihar STET notification for 2026 (P.R. 183/2026) has moved quickly. Applications ran from 17 August to 22 September, admit cards came out on 18 October, and the CBT runs from 25 October to 20 November 2026. The fee is unchanged from last year, there are no vacancies because STET is an eligibility test, and the certificate is reported to be valid for life.
Download your admit card, check your details and spend your remaining days on focused practice. You have done the hard part by getting this far. Now give it your best shot. All the best!
FAQs
When is the Bihar STET 2026 exam?
BSEB is holding the Bihar STET 2026 exam from 25 October to 20 November 2026 as a computer-based test. Your own date, shift and centre are printed on your admit card.
What was the last date to apply for Bihar STET 2026?
The notification first set 31 August 2026 as the last date. BSEB later extended it to 22 September 2026, the date most sources now report. The application window is closed.
How many vacancies are there in Bihar STET 2026?
There are none. STET is an eligibility test, not a recruitment exam. Passing it makes you eligible to teach Classes 9 to 12 in Bihar, but actual posts are filled through separate recruitment drives.
What is the Bihar STET application fee?
General, EWS, BC and EBC candidates, and candidates from other states, pay ₹960 for one paper or ₹1,440 for both. SC, ST and PwD candidates pay ₹760 for one paper or ₹1,140 for both.
What are the qualifying marks for Bihar STET?
The reported qualifying marks are 50% for General, 45.5% for BC, 42.5% for EBC, and 40% for SC, ST, Divyang and women candidates. These apply to Bihar domicile candidates.
Is there negative marking in Bihar STET?
No. Each paper has 150 objective questions worth 1 mark each, with no negative marking, and you get 2 hours 30 minutes. It makes sense to attempt every question.