CTET CDP Syllabus 2026: Child Development and Pedagogy Topics

CTET CDP Syllabus 2026 (Child Development and Pedagogy) is the foundational subject for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET). It is conducted by CBSE. to test the understanding of educational psychology. It is designed to manage their ability to interact with and understand children from multiple backgrounds in a classroom setting. A strong command of the CTET CDP Syllabus is important for all candidates. This section accounts for 30 questions in both Paper 1 and Paper 2. A complete study of the theories, processes of development, and inclusive education practices is important to ensure success in CTET 2026.

CTET CDP Syllabus 2026 Overview

Child Development and Pedagogy (CDP) is a common section for all candidates who are appearing for either CTET Paper 1 or Paper 2. It focuses on the psychology of the elementary school child and the pedagogy of teaching. The table below provides a quick overview of the CDP section in the CTET Syllabus:

CTET CDP Syllabus PDF Download

Candidates preparing for the exam are advised to refer to the official CTET Information Bulletin. It contains the complete syllabus. Having the CTET CDP Syllabus PDF is important for a structured and accurate preparation. It ensures all topics are covered as per the guidelines of the exam. Here is the direct link to download CTET CDP syllabus:

Download CTET CDP Syllabus PDF

CTET CDP Syllabus 2026 Topics

CTET Child Development and Pedagogy syllabus is divided into three parts. Each part covers a specific aspect of teaching and learning.  The following is the section-wise description of topics for the Elementary Stage Classes 6 to 8:

Child Development Elementary School Child—15 Questions

This section focuses on the psychological and developmental aspects of children in the elementary stage. It evaluates the understanding of how children grow, learn, and interact in a classroom environment. A solid grasp of child-centred education, stages of development, and learning theories will help candidates answer questions effectively.

• Concept of development and its relationship with learning

• Principles of the development of children

• Influence of Heredity & Environment

• Socialization processes: Social world & children (Teacher, Parents, Peers)

• Piaget, Kohlberg and Vygotsky: constructs and critical perspectives

• Critical perspective of the construct of Intelligence

• Concepts of child-centered and progressive education

• Multi-Dimensional Intelligence

• Language & Thought

• Gender as a social construct; gender roles, gender-bias and educational practice

• Individual differences among learners

• Distinction between Assessment for learning and assessment of learning; School-Based Assessment; Continuous & Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE)

Concept of Inclusive Education and Understanding Children with Special Needs - 5 Questions

This section evaluates the awareness of inclusive education practices and the ability of candidates to cater to the needs of diverse learners. It focuses on understanding how to create an equitable classroom environment. The environment should support children from different backgrounds, abilities, and learning needs. 

• Addressing learners from diverse backgrounds, including disadvantaged and deprived

• Addressing the needs of children with learning difficulties, 'impairment,' etc.

• Addressing the Talented, Creative, and Special-Abled Learners

Learning and Pedagogy—10 Questions

This section focuses on the psychological and theoretical foundations of teaching and learning. It assesses how well candidates understand the cognitive, emotional, and social processes that influence how children learn. 

• How children think and learn

• Basic processes of teaching and learning, children's strategies of learning, learning as a social activity, social context of learning

• Child as a problem solver and a scientific investigator

• Alternative conceptions of learning in children, understanding children's errors as steps in the learning process

• Cognition & Emotions

• Motivation and learning

• Factors contributing to learning , personal & environmental

CTET 2026 Exam Pattern

Having an understanding of the overall structure of the CTET exam is important for allocating study time effectively. CTET is an objective, Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) based test.

CTET CDP 2026 Marking Distribution

The Child Development and Pedagogy (CDP) section of CTET plays an important role in determining the overall score of the candidate. Its purpose is to assess an understanding of child psychology, inclusive learning, and effective pedagogical strategies. The marking scheme for the CDP section is fixed. It distributes the 30 questions across the three core areas of the syllabus:

CTET CDP Exam Preparation Tips

A strategic approach is important to get command over the theoretical CTET Child Development and Pedagogy (CDP) section. This part of the exam is set to test understanding of how children think, learn, and grow. Also, it makes conceptual clarity and teaching aptitude important. Candidates need to focus on linking theoretical concepts with classroom examples. It helps them to enhance comprehension and retention. 

Conceptual Clarity is Key: Candidates need to focus on understanding the major concepts of development, learning, and pedagogy. It is better than rote memorisation. Also, one should ensure a deep understanding of theories like Piaget's stages and Vygotsky's socio-cultural theory.

Focus on Applied Pedagogy: As many questions are based on applications, one focuses on how concepts like Continuous & Comprehensive Evaluation and School-Based Assessment are implemented in a classroom setting.

Inclusive Education Practice: Dedicate time to the section on Inclusive Education, which is of five marks. Also, try to understand how to address diverse learners, including the disadvantaged, children with learning difficulties, and the gifted.

Mock Tests and Previous Papers: Regularly practice mock tests. The CDP section often tests complex terminology and application scenarios, making practice essential for speed and accuracy.

Connect Concepts: Relate different topics, such as the relationship between development and learning or the role of motivation and emotion in the learning process. This provides you with a complete understanding.