Is B.Ed compulsory to appear for CTET?

It depends on which paper you want to qualify:

• Paper I (Primary, Classes I–V): Senior secondary (10+2) with 50% plus D.El.Ed / B.El.Ed / 4-year B.Ed — a general B.Ed alone is not the primary route.
• Paper II (Upper Primary, Classes VI–VIII): Graduation with 50% plus B.Ed or equivalent recognised by NCTE.

So a candidate targeting only primary teaching does not need a full B.Ed; a D.El.Ed suffices. Those targeting middle school or wanting flexibility across both stages should complete a B.Ed. NCTE recognition of the training institute is mandatory.