PSTET Official Syllabus (All Subjects)

 

PSTET Official Syllabus (All Subjects)

(From “Syllabus for all subjects” document by PSEB) PSTET

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Paper I (Primary Stage: Classes I to V)

Section	Number of Questions	Marks	Topics / Sub-topics
I. Child Development & Pedagogy	30	30	• Concept of development & its relationship with learning • Principles of development of children • Influence of heredity & environment • Socialization processes: role of teacher, parents, peers • Piaget, Kohlberg, Vygotsky – their constructs & critical perspective • Concepts of child-centered & progressive education • Individual differences among learners • Language & thought • Gender as a social construct; gender roles, gender bias • Assessment for learning vs assessment of learning • School-based Assessment, Continuous & Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) • Questions for readiness, enhancing thinking, learner achievement • Concept of inclusive education & dealing with children with special needs • Learning & pedagogy: how children think & learn, motivation, factors affecting learning, basic learning processes • Role of environment, teacher, peers, family in learning • Problems in teaching & how to address them
II. Language I (Punjabi)	30	30	• Language comprehension: unseen passages (prose / poetry) with questions on inference, grammar, usage • Pedagogy of language development: learning & acquisition, principles of language teaching • Role of listening & speaking, reading & writing • Grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure • Remedial teaching in language • Teaching-learning materials, multilingual resources • Challenges in language teaching in a diverse classroom, errors & disorders • Evaluation of language proficiency, measuring listening, speaking, reading, writing skills • Function of grammar in learning language
III. Language II (English)	30	30	• Comprehension: two unseen prose passages (discursive / literary / narrative / scientific) + questions on comprehension, grammar, usage • Pedagogy of language development (same subtopics as in Language I, adapted to English) • Grammar, syntax, usage, sentence transformation, vocabulary • Teaching-learning materials, remedial methods • Assessment of English language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing)
IV. Mathematics	30	30	Content • Number system, operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) • Fractions, decimals • Geometry: shapes, spatial understanding, solids • Measurement, weight, time • Volume, area • Money, patterns, data handling • Other topics in primary mathematics as per class I–V curriculum Pedagogical Issues • How to teach mathematics effectively • Common errors and misconceptions • Use of teaching aids, real objects, visual material • Probing & remedial teaching • Problem-solving, reasoning, and making math interesting
V. Environmental Studies (EVS)	30	30	Content / Themes • Family & Friends • Food • Shelter • Water • Travel • Things We Make & Do • Pedagogical Issues & Teaching of EVS • Concept & scope of EVS • Significance of EVS, integration with Science & Social Science • Approaches: activities, experimentation, discussion • Teaching materials, aids • CCE in EVS, problems in teaching • Concept development, environmental education

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Paper II (Elementary Stage: Classes VI to VIII)

For Paper II, the structure is:

• Child Development & Pedagogy — 30 questions, 30 marks (compulsory)
• Language I (Punjabi) — 30 questions, 30 marks
• Language II (English) — 30 questions, 30 marks
• Subject-specific area — 60 questions, 60 marks (you choose one among options)
• Mathematics & Science
• OR Social Studies / Social Science
• OR other teaching subjects (Art, Physical Education, Home Science, Music, etc.)

Below is the detailed syllabus content:

Section	Topics / Sub-topics
I. Child Development & Pedagogy (Elementary Child)	• Concept of development & relationship with learning • Principles of development • Heredity & environment • Socialization processes • Piaget, Kohlberg, Vygotsky • Concept of child-centered & progressive education • Individual differences • Language & thought • Gender roles, gender bias • Addressing children with special needs • How & why children fail • Learning & pedagogy: cognition, emotions, motivation • Processes of teaching & learning, problem-solving • Contribution of environment, family, peers • Assessment: formative & summative, CCE, questioning techniques • Inclusive education, remedial / enrichment • Role of teacher & reflection
II. Language I (Punjabi)	Similar to Paper I but in more depth (comprehension, grammar, pedagogy, assessment)
III. Language II (English)	Same structure as English in Paper I (comprehension passages, grammar, pedagogy, assessment)
IV. Subject-Specific Area (Choose one among the following)	A. Mathematics & Science Mathematics • Number system, algebra, geometry • Mensuration, data handling • Graphs, ratio, proportion • Patterns, operations • Pedagogical issues: misconceptions, teaching aids, problem-solving, remedial methods Science • Food • Materials • The world of the living • Moving things, people & ideas • Natural phenomena • Natural resources • How things work • Pedagogical issues in Science • Experimentation, hands-on learning, activity-based teaching

Option A: Social Studies / Social Science (for Social Science teachers)

(Compulsory for candidates who want to be teachers of Social Studies; optional for others)

Content

1. History
• Earliest societies, early states, first farmers/herders
• Mauryas, Guptas, Mughals, Sultanate, British rule, freedom struggle
• India after Independence
• Heritage, culture, important movements & leaders
2. Geography
• Planet Earth, solar system, physical features
• Resources: land, soil, water, minerals, agriculture
• Environment, natural vegetation, wildlife
• Climate, population, transport & communication
• Maps, globes, diagrams
3. Civics (Political Science)
• Democracy, government, constitution, parliament, judiciary
• Rights & duties of citizens, fundamental rights
• Local self-government (Panchayati Raj, municipalities)
• Diversity, secularism, gender equality, social justice

Pedagogical Issues

• Methods of teaching history, geography, civics
• Use of maps, charts, timelines, case studies, project work
• Linking subject to learners’ environment & daily life
• Sources of Social Studies learning (documents, artefacts, newspapers)
• Assessment: formative & summative in Social Studies
• Addressing misconceptions, inclusivity, classroom management

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Option B: Other Teaching Subjects (as per specialization)

For candidates who are specializing in Art, Music, Physical Education, Home Science, Sanskrit, Urdu, etc.

General Pattern

• Subject Content (based on Classes 6–8 syllabus)
• Pedagogical Issues (how to teach that subject effectively)

Examples:

1. Art Education

• Content: drawing, painting, craft, design basics, heritage arts of Punjab & India
• Pedagogy: activity-based learning, creativity, use of visual aids, art integration

2. Music

• Content: basics of Indian classical/folk music, notation, instruments
• Pedagogy: rhythm, practice-based learning, group activities, cultural relevance

3. Physical Education

• Content: health & fitness, games & sports, yoga, physical activities
• Pedagogy: importance of participation, teamwork, safety in sports, inclusivity

4. Home Science

• Content: food & nutrition, health & hygiene, clothing & textiles, home management, child care
• Pedagogy: practical activities, demonstrations, project work, life skills orientation

5. Languages (Urdu, Sanskrit, etc.)

• Content: grammar, comprehension, literature, writing skills
• Pedagogy: language acquisition principles, communicative approaches, remedial teaching

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✅ Key Point:

• If you are Math/Science trained → choose Maths & Science
• If you are Social Studies trained → choose Social Studies / Social Science
• If you are specialized in other subjects (Art, PE, Music, Home Science, etc.), then choose your specialization accordingly.