The National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) has officially commenced the online application process for the National Hospitality Teachers Eligibility Test (NHTET) December 2025. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online from November 1, 2025, to November 30, 2025. The NHTET December 2025 examination is scheduled to be held on December 14, 2025 (Sunday), in two shifts across five cities: Noida, Chennai, Guwahati, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
NHTET December 2025: Overview
The National Hospitality Teachers Eligibility Test (NHTET) is conducted to determine the eligibility of candidates for the positions of Assistant Lecturer and Teaching Associate in NCHMCT-affiliated Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs). Passing NHTET is a mandatory requirement for direct recruitment to these teaching posts. Below is a detailed overview with all key information for aspirants.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | National Council for Hotel Management & Catering Technology (NCHMCT) |
| Exam Name | National Hospitality Teachers Eligibility Test (NHTET) |
| Post Names | Assistant Lecturer, Teaching Associate |
| Application Dates | 1st November to 30th November 2025 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Exam Date | 14th December 2025 (Sunday) |
| Mode of Exam | Pen and Paper (OMR Sheet) |
| Selection Process | NHTET (Written Exam) followed by Skill Test for final recruitment |
| Official Website | www.nchm.gov.in |
| Application Fee | Rs. 1,000/- (General/EWS/OBC Male); Rs. 500/- (All Females, Transgenders, SC/ST/PD) |
NHTET December 2025 Eligibility
The NHTET December 2025 has defined clear eligibility criteria for all candidates. Applicants must meet requirements related to educational qualifications, industry experience, and age limits.
Educational Qualification & Experience
- For Bachelor’s Degree Holders: Full-time Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality/Hotel Management/Culinary Art with at least 55% marks and at least 2 years of Hospitality Industry Experience after obtaining the degree. (Note: 6-month Industrial Training as part of the course is not considered as experience).
- For Master’s Degree Holders: Full-time Master’s Degree in Hospitality/Hotel Management/Culinary Art with at least 55% marks.
- Final Year Master’s Students: Candidates in the final semester of their full-time Master’s degree can also apply, provided their result will be declared within 2 months of the NHTET exam and they have no backlogs.
Age Limit
The maximum age to apply is calculated based on the cut-off date. For the NHTET held from July to November, the age is reckoned as on 31st December of the same year.
| Category | Maximum Age for Assistant Lecturer | Maximum Age for Teaching Associate |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 35 Years | 30 Years |
| OBC | 38 Years | 33 Years |
| SC / ST / PD | 40 Years | 35 Years |
NHTET December 2025 Apply Online
The NHTET Apply Online 2025 process is now active on the official NCHMCT portal. Candidates must choose the correct application window based on their qualification: “Generic” for Hospitality/Hotel Management graduates or “F&B Specialisation” for Culinary Arts graduates. Aspirants must fill out the form, upload the required documents (photograph, signature, and ID proof), and pay the fee online. A printout of the confirmation sheet must be sent via post to the NCHMCT office.
Direct Link to Apply for NHTET December 2025
How to Apply for NHTET December 2025?
- Visit the Website: Go to the official NCHMCT website www.nchm.gov.in.
- Choose Stream: Select the correct application link – “Generic” or “F&B Specialisation”.
- Fill Application: Complete the online application form with accurate personal, educational, and experience details.
- Upload Documents: Scan and upload your photograph, signature, and a valid ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, etc.) as per the specified format.
- Pay Fee: Pay the application fee online using Debit/Credit Card, UPI, or other available payment gateways.
- Print & Post: Take a printout of the final confirmation sheet and send it by speed/registered post to the NCHMCT office in Noida.
NHTET December 2025 Exam Pattern
The NHTET exam will be conducted on a single day in two sessions. All papers consist of objective-type questions (MCQs).
| Session | Paper | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM) | Paper I (Teaching & Research Aptitude) | 50 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II (Subject-specific) | 50 | 100 | ||
| Second (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM) | Paper III (Core Hospitality Areas) | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
Paper I: Assesses teaching/research aptitude, reasoning, comprehension, and general awareness.
Paper II: Covers Nutrition, Food Science, General Management, Hotel Accounts, and Food Costing.
Paper III: Candidates choose one of two streams:
- Generic: Covers Food Production, F&B Service, Accommodation Operations, and Housekeeping (25 questions each).
- F&B Specialisation: Covers Food Production (60 questions) and F&B Service (40 questions).
Note: There is a negative marking of 0.5 marks for each wrong answer or double attempt.
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NHTET December 2025 Qualifying Marks
Candidates must secure the following minimum marks to be considered eligible.
| Category | Min. Marks for Assistant Lecturer (Each Paper & Aggregate) | Min. Marks for Teaching Associate (Each Paper & Aggregate) |
|---|---|---|
| GEN/EWS/OBC | 45% in Paper I & II, 50% in Paper III, 50% Aggregate | 40% in Paper I & II, 45% in Paper III, 45% Aggregate |
| SC/ST/PD | 40% in Paper I & II, 45% in Paper III, 45% Aggregate | 35% in Paper I & II, 40% in Paper III, 40% Aggregate |
FAQs
Q1. What is the last date to apply for NHTET December 2025?
Ans: The last date to submit the online application is 30th November 2025.
Q2. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts. Which Paper III should I choose?
Ans: You should choose the “F&B Specialisation” paper for Paper III.
Q3. Is NHTET a recruitment exam or an eligibility test?
Ans: NHTET is an eligibility test. Qualifying it makes you eligible to apply for teaching vacancies in IHMs, but the final selection involves a separate Skill Test (Practical and Teaching) conducted by the individual institutes.
Q4. Is there any age relaxation for OBC candidates?
Ans: Yes, OBC candidates have an age relaxation of 3 years for both Assistant Lecturer and Teaching Associate posts.
Q5. When can I download the NHTET admit card?
Ans: Admit cards can be downloaded from the NCHMCT portal from 7th December to 14th December 2025.