Yes, your 12 months of work experience as a government teacher is eligible for the CAT exam.

The CAT exam considers work experience post-graduation as a factor for admission to management programs. However, it does not specify that the experience must be in a specific field or obtained after a particular degree.

Your experience as a government teacher, even though it began before your graduation, is valid. The CAT exam evaluates your overall experience and its relevance to a management career. Your experience in a government role demonstrates your ability to handle responsibilities, interact with people, and manage tasks.

Therefore, you can include your 12 months of work experience in your CAT application. Be sure to highlight the skills and experiences you gained during this time that are relevant to management studies.