KVS PGT English Syllabus 2026 (and NVS, TGT): Exam Pattern, Tier II Topics and Eligibility
By Nakul Grover, Limitless Literature · KVS and NVS PGT/TGT English · Last checked: 4 November 2026
Quick answer: KVS and NVS now recruit PGT and TGT English teachers through one combined exam conducted by CBSE. It has three stages: a Tier I screening test (100 questions, 300 marks, qualifying only), a Tier II subject test (60 objective and 10 descriptive questions, 100 marks), and an interview. Final merit is 85% Tier II and 15% interview. The English Tier II syllabus covers reading, writing, grammar and literature: Shakespeare, the Romantics, British and American writers of the 19th and 20th centuries, Indian writing in English and world writing in English. A PGT needs a Master’s in English with 50% and a B.Ed; the upper age limit is 40 for PGT and 35 for TGT.
KVS and NVS PGT/TGT English at a Glance
| Recruiters | Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) |
| Exam conducted by | CBSE, as one combined recruitment |
| Latest notification | Recruitment Notification 01/2025, released in November 2025 |
| Status | Tier II results were declared in September 2026 (TGT on 1 September). Interview call letters come through the candidate login. The next notification is awaited. |
| Stages | Tier I (screening) → Tier II (subject test) → interview |
| Official websites | kvsangathan.nic.in and navodaya.gov.in |
Tier I: Screening Test Pattern
Tier I is the same for every post and subject. It only decides who goes to Tier II: candidates are shortlisted in the ratio 1:10. Its marks do not count in the final merit.
| Part | Questions |
|---|---|
| General Reasoning | 20 |
| Numerical Ability | 20 |
| Basic Computer Literacy | 20 |
| General Knowledge | 20 |
| English Language Competency | 10 |
| One Modern Indian Language | 10 |
| Total | 100 questions, 300 marks, 2 hours |
- Mode: OMR sheet.
- Marking: 3 marks per correct answer; 1 mark deducted for a wrong answer.
- Level: post-graduate level for PGT, graduation level for TGT.
Tier II: Subject Test Pattern and Final Merit
| Part | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Objective (English) | 60 | 60 |
| Descriptive (English) | 10 | 40 |
| Total | 70 | 100 |
- Time: 2.5 hours. The paper is separate for each post and subject, and bilingual.
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks deducted for a wrong objective answer.
- Interview: 100 marks; candidates are called in the ratio 1:3.
- Final merit: 85% weight to Tier II and 15% to the interview, for both PGT and TGT.
The descriptive part carries 40 of the 100 Tier II marks. That makes writing practice as important as MCQ practice in this exam.
KVS and NVS PGT English Syllabus for Tier II
The notification says the detailed syllabus is on the KVS and NVS websites under the Recruitment heading, so download the official PDF from there. The PGT English topics commonly listed for Tier II are below. They match the official EMRS PGT English syllabus almost exactly.
| Section | Topics | Study and practise here |
|---|---|---|
| A. Reading | Three or four unseen passages | Prose and passage questions |
| B. Writing | Report or process writing; formal letters, letter to the editor, job application with CV; article, speech or debate | Write one task a day and time yourself |
| C. Grammar | Determiners, tenses, clauses, modals, voice | Language questions |
| D. Literature: Shakespeare | Plays, characters and sonnets | Shakespeare guide |
| D. Literature: Romantics | Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley, Coleridge | Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley, Coleridge |
| D. Literature: British and American, 19th–20th century | Frost, Hemingway, Dickinson, Shaw, Arthur Miller, Whitman, Hawthorne | Frost, Hemingway, Whitman, Miller; American literature questions |
| D. Literature: Indian writing in English | Anita Desai, R. K. Narayan, Ruskin Bond, Vikram Seth, Nissim Ezekiel, Keki Daruwalla, Mulk Raj Anand, Khushwant Singh | Anita Desai, R. K. Narayan, Ezekiel, Mulk Raj Anand; Indian literature questions |
| D. Literature: world writing in English | Writing from Australia, South Asia, Latin America and Africa | Derek Walcott, Things Fall Apart quiz |
For TGT English, the Tier II paper is pitched at graduation level. Check the TGT syllabus PDF on the KVS website for the exact list.
Eligibility and Age Limit
| Post | Qualification | Upper age |
|---|---|---|
| PGT English (KVS) | Master’s in English with at least 50%, with English also studied at graduation, plus a B.Ed with 50% (or an integrated B.Ed-M.Ed or 4-year integrated degree). Must be able to teach in both Hindi and English medium. | 40 |
| PGT English (NVS) | Master’s in English with at least 50% plus a B.Ed with 50%. Residential school experience is desirable. | 40 |
| TGT English (KVS and NVS) | Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% and English studied in all three years, plus a B.Ed with 50% (or a 4-year integrated course), plus CTET Paper II | 35 |
Women get 10 years of age relaxation for PGT and TGT posts; other category relaxations follow the rules in the notification. Source: KVS/NVS Recruitment Notification 01/2025.
How to Prepare for KVS PGT English
- Do not take Tier I lightly. It is only qualifying, but the 1:10 shortlist and the −1 penalty knock out many strong English candidates. Practise reasoning, numerical ability and computer basics every week.
- Build the literature core first. Shakespeare, the four Romantics, the American writers and the Indian writers named above make up most of the objective questions.
- Write every day. 40 marks of Tier II are descriptive. One letter, report, article or speech a day, timed, is enough.
- Keep grammar sharp. Determiners, clauses, modals and voice are quick marks in the objective part.
- Finish with full tests under the −0.25 marking, so that you know how far to go with educated guesses.
Comparing boards? See the PGT English guide for KVS, NVS, DSSSB, EMRS and UP PGT.
KVS PGT English: FAQ
What is the KVS PGT English exam pattern?
Tier I is a qualifying screening test of 100 questions for 300 marks in 2 hours. Tier II is the English subject test: 60 objective and 10 descriptive questions for 100 marks in 2.5 hours. An interview of 100 marks follows, and final merit is 85% Tier II and 15% interview.
Is there negative marking in KVS PGT?
Yes. In Tier I, 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer on a 3-mark question. In the Tier II objective part, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.
What is the age limit for KVS PGT English?
The upper age limit is 40 for PGT and 35 for TGT. Women get 10 years of relaxation, and reserved categories get relaxation as per the rules.
Are KVS and NVS exams the same now?
Yes. Under Recruitment Notification 01/2025, KVS and NVS ran one combined exam conducted by CBSE, with the same Tier I, Tier II and interview structure.
Is CTET required for KVS PGT English?
No. CTET Paper II is required for TGT English, not for PGT English.
