Government jobs have always been prized by Indian people. Given the job security, and the benefits, that come along with these jobs, it is not a wonder that the competition for recruitment examinations held every year seems to be ever-growing. The scenario is the same for all the recruitment examinations that are conducted in the country. Two such examinations are Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) and Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Examination (SSC CGLE). SSC CGL examination is conducted to recruit personnel for various posts in ministries, departments, and organizations of the Government of India. CTET is held to scrutinize the eligibility of candidates for an array of options in the domain of teaching.
A common confusion amongst the job-seekers is regarding which one to prepare for? To conclude this, we must first understand the difference in the recruitment process, examination pattern, salaries, benefits, and long term career prospects attached to these jobs.
Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET)
Paper Pattern:
• CTET examination has two test papers – Paper – I and Paper-II. Candidates can select these on the basis of classes they want to teach.
• Paper – I is applicable for teachers of classes I – V, and Paper – II is applicable for those interested in teaching classes VI through VIII.
• Paper – I and II of CTET have a mostly similar exam pattern but different syllabus. During the examination, you will get 150 minutes to solve 150 questions that are multiple choices based.
• There is no negative marking for the wrong answers in the CTET examination.
• The candidates, who successfully clear the designated cut-off for the examination, can apply for all Central Government Teaching jobs like KVS, NVS, DSSSB, etc.
Approximate Salary (After 7th Pay Commission)
1. Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) – Rs. 29,900 – Rs. 1,04,400 (Basic) along with grade pay of Rs. 13,800
2. Post Graduate Teachers (PGT) – Rs. 29,900 – Rs. 1,04,400 (Basic) along with grade pay of Rs. 14,400
3. Primary Teacher (PRT) teachers – Rs. 29,900 – Rs. 1,04,400 (Basic) along with grade pay of Rs. 12,600
Note: The annual income of a teacher can also fluctuate on the basis of the region of their employment, like metropolitan, city and remote areas.
Significance of Teaching Jobs in India:
An array of options in the teaching field opens before a candidate who qualifies the CTET. Here are some of the benefits of possessing a CTET certificate:
• There is lesser competition for a CTET aspirant as the minimum qualification to appear in the exam is B.Ed or any teaching professional degree/diploma.
• Having a CTET certificate under your arm makes you eligible to be recruited for Central and State Government teaching jobs.
• Many private institutions also mandate the recruitment of their teachers with CTET qualifications only.
• Most of the Union Territories also demand that a candidate must have qualified CTET or State TET to be appointed as a teacher.
• The CTET certificate remains valid for Lifetime from the date of the CTET Result declaration. This means that the candidate has ample time to choose the best suitable option.
• The candidates, after appointment, get ample opportunities for departmental promotions.
SSC CGL Examination:
Paper Pattern:
There are four levels in the SSC CGL examination, wherein all the levels have different marking schemes and syllabus.
• Tier I examination – Candidates get 60 minutes to solve 100 questions from General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness/ General knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension.
• Tier II examination – This section has 4 papers of 200 marks each, for which candidates get a time of 2 hours.
Paper I and II (Quantitative Ability, English Language and Comprehension) are compulsory for all the examinees, whereas Statistics Paper is only applicable for the post of Statistical Investigator Gr. II & Compiler, and the paper-based on General Studies of Finance and Economics is applicable only for the post of Assistant Audit Officer.
• Tier III examination – This 100 marks paper is descriptive type, where a candidate has to write Essay, Letter/Application, and a Passage in the duration of 1 hour.
• Tier IV examination – Candidates qualifying the above three sections have to undergo a Data Entry Skill Test/ Computer Proficiency Test for 15 minutes. This exam is qualifying in nature, and no marks allotted for this section.
• Negative marking for the incorrect answers is applicable in Tier I and II examinations.
Approx. Salary (After 7th Pay Commission)
1. Assistant Audit Officer – Pay Level-8 (Rs 47600 to 151100)
2. Assistant Section Officer – Pay Level-7 (Rs 44900 to 142400)
3. Auditor, Accountant, Junior Accountant – Pay Level-5 (Rs 29200 to 92300)
4. Upper Division Clerks, Tax Assistant, Sub-Inspector, and Senior Secretariat Assistant – Pay Level-4 (Rs 25500 to 81100)
Significance of SSC CGL posts
Having qualified the SSC CGL exam, a vast bouquet of jobs in different Central Government departments becomes available on the basis of merit. Here are some of the benefits of qualifying the SSC CGL test:
• These jobs do not require any specific study or certification; hence, students can directly apply for SSC CGL direly after completing their graduation.
• The candidate becomes eligible for Grade B and Grade C posts in different Ministries and departments.
• Many of the above-mentioned designations are Gazetted posts, meaning that the candidate assigned to those posts will become a Gazetted officer under the Government of India and will be involved in the decision-making process at different levels.
• The candidates appointed in the Central Secretariat shall be responsible for the administrative work of various significant departments under the patronage of the Government of India and can be promoted up to Under-Secretary Level.
Which one is the best?
A teacher is involved in building the foundation for the young pupils that hold a great promise for the country’s future, whereas the personnel employed under various ministries and departments of the Indian Government assist the policymakers of the nation. Both types of jobs are having their own charms and limitations. In light of the above facts, it is for the aspirant to decide which path to follow. Whatever path you decide to pursue, we wish you the very best for a bright future.
