NHTET (National Hospitality Teachers Eligibility Test) is a national-level examination conducted by the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT). It is conducted to decide the eligibility of candidates to apply for direct recruitment to the post of Assistant Lecturer and Teaching Associate in IHMs.
The National Hospitality Teachers Eligibility Test (NHTET) was established to realize the highest quality in hospitality education and to ensure the continuous professional development of teachers, principals, and faculties. The main aim of the NCHMCT is to maintain the highest quality in hospitality education.
Recruitment methods for teachers will be reorganized to ensure the merit of candidates. This will ensure uniform quality in teacher recruitment and increase the pool of eligible candidates for hospitality education.
By reading this blog, the entire NHTET 2026-27 Exam information will be covered, such as important dates, the application process, eligibility and Age Criteria, Exam Pattern, syllabus, and more.
NHTET Exam 2026 Highlights!
| Exam Name | NHTET |
| Full-Form | National Hospitality Teachers Eligibility Test |
| Type of Exam | Teacher Eligibility Test (Qualifying Exam) |
| Level of Exam | National Level |
| Conducting Body | National Council of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) |
| Application Mode | Online Mode |
| Mode of Exam | Offline Mode (OMR Based / Pen & Paper) |
| Duration of Exam | 04 Hours (Two Sessions) |
| Official Website | http://www.thims.gov.in |
| Helpline | Tel: 1800 180 3151 |
| Address | National Council for Hotel Management & Catering Technology, A-34, Sector – 62, Noida Uttar Pradesh 201309 |
NHTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Nationality: A candidate must be a citizen of India to apply for the NHTET Entrance Exam 2026.
Age Limit
- For Teaching Associates: General Category applicants must be below the age of 30 years.
- For Assistant Lecturers: General Category applicants must be below the age of 35 years.
- OBC Category Applicants: Relaxation of 3 years (Max 33 years for TA, 38 years for AL).
- SC / ST / PWD Category Applicants: Relaxation of 5 years (Max 35 years for TA, 40 years for AL).
Educational Qualification & Experience
- For Teaching Associates: Candidates with a full-time Master’s Degree in Hospitality Administration / Hotel Management with at least 55% marks (or 60% depending on year) can apply. No experience is required for Freshers with a Master’s degree.
- For Assistant Lecturers: Candidates must have a full-time Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Administration with at least 55% marks AND at least two years of hospitality industry experience. OR, a Master’s degree with NHTET qualification.
- Minimum Marks: At least 55% marks are needed in the qualifying degree to be eligible.
NHTET Salary & Career Growth (7th Pay Commission)
One of the biggest motivations to crack NHTET is the attractive government pay scale. The posts are permanent/contractual positions in Central or State IHMs.
| Post Name | Pay Matrix Level | Pay Scale (Basic) | Approx. Gross Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Lecturer | Level 10 (7th CPC) | Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500 | Rs. 75,000+ / Month (Including HRA, DA, TA) |
| Teaching Associate | Consolidated | Fixed Pay | Rs. 25,000 – 30,000 / Month (Varies by Institute) |
*Note: Assistant Lecturers also get benefits like Medical, Leave Travel Concession (LTC), and pension benefits (NPS) as per government rules.
NHTET Exam Pattern & Structure (Important)
The NHTET exam is divided into three papers held in two sessions. It is an objective type test (Multiple Choice Questions).
| Paper | Subject / Topic | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Knowledge, Teaching Aptitude, Reasoning, Logical Deduction | 50 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | Nutrition, Food Science, General Management, Hotel Accounts | 50 | 100 | |
| Paper III | Core Hospitality: Food Production, F&B Service, Accommodation Operations, Housekeeping | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Total | 200 Qs | 400 Marks | 4 Hours |
Negative Marking: There is usually a deduction of ½ mark (0.5) for every wrong answer.
Qualifying Marks (Cut-off)
To qualify NHTET, candidates must secure specific aggregate percentages:
- Assistant Lecturer: Candidate must score 50% aggregate (Gen/OBC) or 45% (SC/ST/PWD).
- Teaching Associate: Candidate must score 45% aggregate (Gen/OBC) or 40% (SC/ST/PWD).
Detailed NHTET Syllabus 2026 (Topic-Wise)
To score high, you need to go beyond the basics. Here is the topic-wise breakdown based on previous years’ papers:
Paper I: General Aptitude (50 Marks)
- Teaching Aptitude: Nature of teaching, characteristics of learners, evaluation systems.
- Reasoning: Number series, coding-decoding, blood relations, logical deduction.
- General Awareness: Current affairs (Hospitality industry focus), Swachh Bharat, Tourism initiatives.
- English: Reading comprehension, synonyms/antonyms.
Paper II: Hospitality Operations (50 Marks)
- Nutrition & Food Science: Macro/Micro nutrients, balanced diet, food preservation methods.
- General Management: Principles of management (Fayol/Taylor), motivation theories, leadership styles.
- Hotel Accounts: Uniform System of Accounting, balance sheets, auditing basics.
Paper III: Core Hospitality (100 Marks – Crucial)
This paper carries the maximum weightage. Focus on:
- Food Production: French cuisine terms, stocks & sauces, bakery (breads/cakes), kitchen hygiene, regional Indian cuisines.
- F&B Service: Types of service, alcoholic beverages (wines, spirits, cocktails), menu planning, restaurant equipment.
- Housekeeping: Cleaning agents, linen room operations, flower arrangement, laundry cycle.
- Front Office: Reservation systems, check-in/check-out procedures, night auditing, tariff plans.
Recommended Books for NHTET Preparation
You don’t need to rely on random notes. Instead of that, you must use these standard textbooks recommended by toppers:
| Subject | Recommended Book | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Food Production | Theory of Cookery / Chef’s Companion | Krishna Arora / Sudhir Andrews |
| F&B Service | Food & Beverage Service | R. Singaravelavan / Dennis Lillicrap |
| Teaching Aptitude | UGC NET/SET Teaching & Research Aptitude | K.V.S. Madaan |
| Hotel Accounts | Hotel Accounting | Buskirk / P.S. Gill |
NHTET Application Form 2026
In this section, we have furnished the complete details to fill out the online NHTET 2026 Application Form, which is available online only from the university’s official website.
So, aspirants who want to become Assistant Lecturers and Teaching Associates in the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) affiliated with NCHMCT can easily apply for this entrance test.
Steps to Apply:
- Visit thims.gov.in or nchm.gov.in for NHTET Exam 2026 info.
- Click on the “New Registration” link.
- Accurately fill in personal and educational details.
- Upload required docs, photo, signature, and ID proof.
- Pay the application fee via the Online Payment Gateway or Demand Draft (as per current notification).
- Double-check, submit, and keep form copies.
NHTET 2026 Application Fee
One must pay the application fees while filling out the application form.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC (Male) | Rs 800/- |
| Female and SC / ST / PWD | Rs 400/- |
Note: Fee payment modes (Online or DD) are subject to the specific year’s brochure. Check the official notification carefully.
NHTET Important Dates 2026 (Tentative)
The NHTET 2026 is expected to be held in the early months of the year. Let’s draw your eyes to the section below for tentative dates.
| Important Event | Tentative Dates |
|---|---|
| Online Application Form Starts | January 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | February 2026 |
| Download Admit Card | February 2026 |
| NHTET 2026 Exam Date | Last week of February 2026 |
| Declaration of NHTET Result | March 2026 |
NHTET 2026 Exam Centers
The exam is usually conducted in the following 16 major cities at the respective IHMs. Choose the center closest to you while applying:
- New Delhi (Noida)
- Mumbai
- Kolkata
- Chennai
- Bengaluru
- Hyderabad
- Lucknow
- Guwahati
- Chandigarh
- Bhopal
- Jaipur
- Gurdaspur
- Bhubaneswar
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Hajipur (Patna)
- Goa
The “Hidden” Stage: Teaching & Practical Skill Test
Passing the written NHTET exam is only Step 1. Most candidates fail at Step 2 because they are unprepared. Here is the secret selection criteria used by IHMs:
Step 2: Skill Tests (Conducted by individual IHMs)
Once you apply for a vacancy with your NHTET scorecard, you will be called for:
- Practical Skill Test (30 Marks): You must perform a practical task (e.g., cook a dish, set a table, handle a guest complaint).
- Qualifying Marks: 15/30 for Asst. Lecturer.
- Teaching Skill Test (20 Marks): You must give a demo class on a topic of your choice in front of a panel.
- Qualifying Marks: 10/20 for Asst. Lecturer.
Pro Tip: Prepare one topic from your core subject thoroughly for the demo class presentation!
Watch: How to Prepare for NHTET Exam
(Click to watch the video guide on NHTET Selection Criteria)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for NHTET?
If you wish to apply for NHTET, follow the official website at thims.gov.in. Find the registration link, fill in your details, upload scanned documents (signature and photograph), and pay the requisite fee.
Is NHTET easy?
The NHTET is a competitive exam that requires thorough preparation of hospitality concepts, general aptitude, and teaching methodology. While not impossible, it requires a clear understanding of core subjects like Food Production and F&B Service. It is not “easy,” but manageable with consistent study.
How do I become a hotel management teacher?
To become a hotel management teacher, you generally need a Master’s degree in Hospitality (for Teaching Associates) or a Bachelor’s degree plus 2 years of industry experience (for Assistant Lecturers). Qualifying the NHTET exam is mandatory for these positions in NCHMCT affiliated IHMs.
What is the full form of NHTET exam?
NHTET stands for National Hospitality Teachers Eligibility Test. It is the qualifying test for candidates wishing to become faculty members in government-sponsored Institutes of Hotel Management.
How to prepare for the NHTET exam?
Make a plan according to the latest syllabus. Focus heavily on Paper III (Core Hospitality) as it carries 200 marks. Solve previous years’ question papers to understand the logic of the questions.
