OTET 2026: Applications Open March 26

New Delhi, March 24, 2026: The Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha, has officially released the notification for the Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET) 2026. This announcement brings much-awaited clarity for thousands of teaching aspirants across the state who are looking to secure positions in primary (Class 1–5) and upper primary (Class 6–8) schools.

According to the official schedule, the online application window is set to open on March 26, 2026.

OTET 2026: Key Dates to Remember

Aspiring candidates should mark their calendars with the following important dates to ensure they don’t miss any deadlines:

Event	Important Date
Notification Release	March 23, 2026
Online Application Starts	March 26, 2026
Last Date to Apply & Pay Fee	April 9, 2026 (11:45 PM)
Admit Card Release	May 15, 2026
OTET 2026 Exam Date	May 29, 2026

Eligibility Criteria

The OTET is mandatory for anyone seeking a teaching job in government, private aided, and private unaided schools in Odisha. The eligibility is divided into two categories:

For Paper I (Classes 1 to 5)

• Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed Higher Secondary (+2) with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/OBC/SEBC/PH) and possess a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (CT/D.El.Ed).
• Alternatively, those with a 4-year B.El.Ed or a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education) are also eligible.

For Paper II (Classes 6 to 8)

• Educational Qualification: Graduation with at least 50% marks and a B.Ed. or a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education.
• Candidates with a 4-year B.A. Ed. / B.Sc. Ed. are also eligible to apply.

Exam Pattern and Structure

The OTET 2026 will be conducted in an offline (pen-and-paper) mode. There are two papers, each lasting 2.5 hours.

• No Negative Marking: Each correct answer earns 1 mark, and there is no penalty for wrong answers.
• Language: The question papers (except for language subjects) will be bilingual—available in both Odia and English.
• Qualifying Marks: General category candidates must score at least 60%, while SC/ST/PH/OBC/SEBC candidates require 50% to pass.

Paper Subjects:

1. Child Development & Pedagogy: 30 Marks
2. Language I (Odia/Hindi/Telugu/Urdu/Bengali): 30 Marks
3. Language II (English): 30 Marks
4. Mathematics/Science/Social Studies (Subject-specific): 60 Marks

Application Fee Structure

The fee varies based on the category and the number of papers a candidate chooses to attempt:

• SC/ST Candidates: ₹600 for a single paper; ₹900 for both papers.
• All Other Categories: ₹900 for a single paper; ₹1,400 for both papers.

How to Apply for OTET 2026

Once the link is active on March 26, candidates can follow these steps:

1. Visit the official BSE Odisha website: www.bseodisha.ac.in.
2. Click on the “OTET 2026 Online Application” link.
3. Register as a new user with a valid mobile number and email ID.
4. Log in and fill out the application form (Personal, Eligibility, and Educational details).
5. Upload scanned copies of your photograph and signature.
6. Pay the application fee through the integrated HDFC payment gateway.
7. Submit the form and download the acknowledgment receipt for future reference.