The Central Board of Secondary Education has announced the CTET 2026 exam date on the official website. The exam is scheduled to be conducted on 12th and 13th December 2026. Earlier, the exam was scheduled to be conducted on 6th September. Candidates will be issued the CTET admit card 2026 in the login window. Applicants are required to provide their credentials to download the admit card from the login window. Earlier, the application window was reopened from 25th August to 1st September 2026 at the CTET official website, ctet.nic.in.

Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary School Education. The test determines whether a candidate is eligible for a position as a teacher in Classes I–VIII either in KVS, NVS, Army Public Schools, State Government Schools, DSSSB schools (Delhi), Municipal schools, or any private school affiliated with CBSE. This page covers the CTET exam date 2026, CTET application form 2026, syllabus, exam pattern, marking scheme, and the direct application link.

CTET Notification 2026 Overview

CTET Exam Date 2026 Out

The Central Board of Secondary Education has released the revised exam date for CTET 2026 on the official website. As per the schedule, the exam is scheduled to be conducted on 12th and 13th December 2026. The exam will be conducted in an online computer-based mode. Candidates appearing in the exam will be issued the CTET admit card a few days before the commencement of the exam. Candidates are advised to keep the track of the official website for the latest updates.

Has the CTET 2026 Application Window Reopened?

The CBSE was reopened the Combined Teacher Eligibility Test application window from 25th August to 1st September 2026. Candidates who missed the earlier application period can apply during this extended window. Those who have already submitted their application successfully do not need to apply again.

\This reopening followed the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s judgment in Review Petition (Civil) Diary No. 53434/2025, in Civil Appeal No. 1385/2025, which asked CBSE to give eligible teachers a reasonable opportunity to complete the statutory TET qualification. Based on this direction, CBSE reopened the CTET application form 2026 window for candidates who could not apply earlier.

CTET September Notification 2026

The CTET full form is Central Teacher Eligibility Test, conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) twice a year to assess teaching eligibility for Classes 1 to 8. CTET Notification 2026 has been released in PDF format on the official website. It carries details related to the exam date, application process, syllabus, eligibility criteria, and the detailed exam schedule.

Download CBSE CTET Notification 2026 PDF

For the academic year 2026, the CBSE will conduct the CTET exam once the revised CTET exam date is finalised, held as per the guidelines framed by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) in offline pen-and-paper mode. Candidates are advised to keep a track of this page for the latest updates on CBSE CTET Notification 2026. Visit the CTET official website, ctet.nic.in, or Testbook’s CTET page for official updates.

What is the CTET Exam?

CTET is conducted at the national level as an eligibility test. It is conducted to ensure that only qualified and deserving candidates with enough teaching aptitude and knowledge get appointed in central government and affiliated schools of India. CBSE conducts the exam twice a year. It consists of two papers with a pen-and-paper mode of exam.

Paper-I is for those who want to teach in Classes 1–5. Paper-II is for aspirants who wish to teach in Classes 6–8. Aspirants having Diploma or Degree in Education are eligible to apply. The CTET consists of MCQ type questions. Also, there is no negative marking for unanswered or wrongly answered questions.

What are the CTET September 2026 Exam Highlights?

The CTET Exam checks candidates’ eligibility for teaching positions in primary and upper primary schools. There are two papers in CTET that test child pedagogy, language, and subject-based knowledge. Candidates who clear CTET are eligible to apply for teaching government jobs all over India.

Download CTET Application Correction Notice 2026 PDF

What are the CTET Exam Date 2026 Important Dates?

The CTET exam date 2026 has been released along with the official notification. Candidates can check the other important dates below:

Prepare with the best CTET Online Coaching Now.

CTET September 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before moving to any step, candidates are advised to carefully go through the detailed CTET Eligibility Criteria, exam pattern, and syllabus. Knowing the exam eligibility criteria before applying helps them get a clear idea if they are actually eligible to appear for the exam or not. Candidates who are interested to appear for the upcoming CTET September 2026 exam must have the following qualifications:

• Paper I – Aspirants who want to teach Class-I-V must have passed class 12th with minimum 50% marks & have passed or are pursuing 2 year Diploma in Elementary Education.
• Paper II – Aspirants who want to teach Class-VI-VIII must have completed Graduation with minimum 50% marks & hold B. Ed or Bachelor of Education degree.
• Equivalent qualifications and integrated teacher education programs are also accepted.

Candidates must note there is no upper age limit for applying. Both papers can be attempted by those meeting the criteria, opening doors to teaching opportunities in central government schools.

CTET 2026 Most Important Pedagogy PYQs – Download PDF

Is Indian Nationality Required for CTET?

Candidates should have Indian citizenship to appear for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test. It is one of the primary eligibility criteria prescribed by the exam conducting authorities. If a candidate does not have Indian citizenship, they cannot apply for CTET 2026.

What is the CTET Exam 2026 Age Limit?

• Minimum Age Limit: 18 Years
• Maximum Age Limit: No age limit

What is the CBSE CTET Paper I and Paper II Eligibility Criteria 2026?

Below, we have provided the detailed eligibility criteria for both Paper I and Paper II:

Paper I Eligibility Criteria

Senior Secondary or its equivalent exam with a minimum of 50 % marks and cleared or appearing in the final year exam of Diploma in Elementary Education (2 years duration).

• Senior Secondary or its equivalent exam, securing a minimum of 45 %marks and clearing or appearing in the final year exam of Diploma in Elementary Education (2 years duration), as per NCTE norms.
• Senior Secondary or its equivalent exam with a minimum of 50 per cent marks and cleared or appearing in the final year exam of Bachelor of Elementary Education (4 years duration).

• Senior Secondary or its equivalent test with a minimum of 50 per cent marks and cleared or appearing in the final year exam of Diploma in Education (2 years duration).
• Bachelor’s degree with a B.Ed.
• Post-Graduation with a minimum of 55 per cent marks and a 3-year integrated B.Ed–M.Ed course.

Paper II Eligibility Criteria

Graduation degree and has passed or is appearing in the final year examination of Diploma in Elementary Education (2 years duration).

• Graduation degree with 50 per cent marks and has cleared or appeared in the final year exam of B.Ed.
• Graduation degree with 45 per cent marks and has cleared or is appearing in the final year exam of B.Ed, as per NCTE regulations.
• Senior Secondary or its equivalent test with a minimum of 50 per cent marks, and has cleared or is appearing in the final year exam of 4 years duration Bachelor of Elementary Education.
• Senior Secondary or its equivalent exam with 50 per cent marks and cleared or appearing in the final year exam of B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed or B.A/B.Sc.Ed.
• Graduation degree with 50 per cent marks and has cleared or is appearing in the B.Ed programme of 1-year duration.

How to Fill Out the CTET 2026 Application Form? (Step-by-Step Process)

Candidates can check the step-by-step process to fill the CTET application form 2026 on the CTET official website below:

Step 1: Visit the CTET Official Website

Candidates need to visit CTET’s official website by going to ctet.nic.in. They can click on the register link provided to start filling up the CTET application form.

Step 2: New Registration

All candidates need to read the instructions given on the page properly and click on “New Registration” to begin the CBSE CTET 2026 registration process. They must fill up all information asked carefully. Details like name, date of birth, email id, mobile number should be entered appropriately. Every candidate is recommended to make a strong password they can use for further logins. Take note of the registration number generated as it will be used later.

Step 3: Fill Registration Form

Candidates must login with the registration number and password issued to them after registration. They must fill their personal details like educational qualification backward from 12th class, contact details etc. They can also choose the city of their preference for appearing the CTET exam. Depending upon their eligibility criteria candidates can choose either Paper-1 or Paper-2 or both the papers they want to appear.

Step 4: Document Upload

Candidates need to upload the photocopies of their recent photograph and signature with the mentioned dimensions on the portal. It should be in JPG or JPEG format only. Both photos should be clear and shouldn’t defy any criteria.

Step 5: Registration Fee Payment

Candidates can pay the registration fee online using cards (credit/ debit) or net banking or UPI method. They can check what is the registration fee for CTET 2026 Exam on the website. The fee differs according to the category of the candidate and also varies with the paper they select to attempt.

Step 6: Registration Submission and Print Confirmation Page

Finally, candidates have to make sure that all the information they have filled is correct and there are no errors. On successful submission of the form, download the confirmation page given.

CTET Application Form 2026 Fee

Candidates are required to pay a fixed application fee to complete the CTET form fill up process for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET 2026).

Fees can be paid via credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI. The fee once paid is non-refundable, and applicable GST is charged extra by the payment gateway.

CTET September 2026 Syllabus

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the detailed syllabus for the upcoming Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026. The syllabus is available as an online PDF on the CTET official website,www.ctet.nic.in. Candidates must note that this updated CTET syllabus is based on the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005 and the Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009. The CTET Exam is conducted in two papers:

• Paper I – Primary Level (Class 1 to 5)
• Paper II – Upper Primary Level (Class 6 to 8)

CTET Paper I Syllabus 2026

The subject-wise CTET September Syllabus for paper 1 has been discussed in the table shared below. The syllabus below also consists of the names of the topics included. Go through it completely and start preparing for the examination.

CTET Paper II Syllabus 2026

CTET September 2026 Exam Pattern

All candidates willing to take the upcoming CTET 2026 September exam can check the detailed exam pattern below and start their exam preparation.

• The CTET September 2026 exam will be held in two papers: Paper I – for those who want to teach Classes 1 to 5; Paper II – for those who aim to teach Classes 6 to 8.
• You can choose to appear for either one or both papers based on your preference.
• Each paper has Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with 4 options per question, only one correct. There is no negative marking.

What Does Each Section Cover in CTET Paper I?

• Child Development & Pedagogy – Questions will be based on teaching as well as learning psychology of children between the ages of 6–11 years. Topics include studying children and their needs, inclusive education, and attributes of a good teacher.
• Language I – Tests aptitude in the language of instruction (language you wish to teach primarily).
• Language II – Choose a different language from Language I. Tests language comprehension, communication skills and language grammar.
• Mathematics & Environmental Studies (EVS) – Examines the subject knowledge of candidates. Candidates will be asked simple problem solving questions and most importantly how they will teach math and environmental studies based on the NCERT Class 1–5 syllabus. Note that the difficulty may vary from Primary level to Secondary level.

How to Prepare for CTET Smartly?

Now that you understand the CTET exam and have decided to apply, the next phase is preparation.

• Know the syllabus inside out: Give special attention to each section so that you don’t miss out on any topic.
• Practice CTET previous year papers: This will help you understand the trend of questions and difficulty level of the paper.
• Take regular mock tests: You will learn how to improve your speed, accuracy and manage your time effectively.
• Prepare short notes: Helpful while revising just before the exam.
• Pay special attention to pedagogy: Since questions based on Pedagogy can fetch you a good amount of marks. Remember Child Development & Pedagogy carries 30 marks out of 150 for both the papers.
• Revise: Do not forget what you have prepared.

Why Should You Take the CTET Test Series?

CTET Test Series will help students aspiring to become teachers prepare for the upcoming Central Teacher Eligibility Test.Students can identify their weak topics and work on them to improve their accuracy and time management skills. The CTET Test Series helps students get familiar with the latest pattern and understand the trend of questions.

Taking the CTET Mock Test regularly will ensure that the students gain confidence and a feel of the real exam. Exam preparation can be done from anywhere as the test series can be attempted on your mobile as well as laptop. You can practice CTET Test Series while waiting for the CBSE CTET Notification 2026 revised date to appear for the exam.

CTET Previous Year Question Papers

As you prepare for the CBSE CTET 2026 exam, now is the perfect time to begin practicing Central Teaching Eligibility Test (CTET) Previous Year Question Papers. Practice papers will help you familiarise with the exam pattern and understand the topics you need to work on and important topics and high weightage chapters.

CTET September 2026 Hall Ticket Release

CTET 2026 hall tickets will be released approximately 2 days before the exam date. CTET hall tickets consist of all the information’s candidates need to know prior to the exam day like exam centre location, candidate’s name with photo, date and time of examination.

What Should Candidates Carry on the CTET Exam Day?

CTET Answer Key 2026 Release

CTET 2026 answer key along with the response sheet will be uploaded a few days after the examination on ctet. nic.in. Candidates can understand their tentative performance well before the official results by using the CTET answer key and response sheet provided

CTET Result 2026

CTET Result will be released by the Central Board of Secondary Education, approximately a month after the examination date on the official website. Candidates who appeared for the CTET exam can see their scorecard from the CBSE login window. Result consists of candidate’s name, guardian’s name, marks obtained for each subject and total marks scored. Please ensure that you safely store the CTET login credentials as you will be needing it whenever you log in to check your results. Results are declared according to the final answer key.

What is the CTET September 2026 Cut Off?

As soon as CTET Results are declared, the next step is the announcement of CTET Cut Off. CTET Cut Off refers to the minimum qualifying marks that a candidate must secure to qualify Central Teaching Eligibility Test (CTET 2026). Please note that the official cut-off will be released soon. Till then candidates can go through the expected CTET Cut Off below. Please note that the below mentioned marks are just expected based on previous year trends and analysis by experts.

How Many Candidates Apply for and Qualify CTET Each Year?

All candidates interested in appearing for the exam can check past years’ statistics in the table below, which lists the number of candidates who applied, the number who appeared, and the number who qualified.

CTET Certification Details 2026

All the candidates who will successfully clear the CTET Exam will be provided with a certificate. This CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) certificate is mainly valid for various teaching positions in schools that are run by the Central Government and Union Territories, such as KVS, NVS, and Central Tibetan Schools. Additionally, it may be considered by unaided private schools and state government schools, depending on the policies of individual state governments.

For Private Schools:

Candidates must choose that unaided private schools may also consider CTET-qualified candidates for recruitment. However, this is optional and based on the school’s internal recruitment policy.

For State Government Schools:

State Government and aided schools which come under the state government require candidates to qualify that particular State Teacher Eligibility Test (State TET). But in scenarios where a state government decides not to hold a TET exam of their own, they accept CTET certificate for recruitment of teachers.

For Central Government Schools:

CTET certificate is accepted if you are applying for a job in government schools under Central Government and for schools which are under Union Territories like Chandigarh and Delhi and NCT of Delhi. Candidates wishing to work for posts such as Primary Teacher or Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) in KVS should follow the eligibility criteria mentioned by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan

For Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) Schools:

Candidates who wish to take the NVS TGT and NVS TGT (Third Language) exam should ensure that they meet the following criteria:

• A graduation degree in any discipline,
• A Bachelor’s degree in Education (B.Ed),
• And a valid CTET qualification.

How Long is the CTET Certificate Valid?

CTET Certificate 2026 is valid for lifetime. Once you qualify CTET you can utilise your CTET certificate in the near future to apply for teaching jobs. Candidates can apply CTET scores for teaching posts in government schools as well as private schools.

CTET certificate is valid for recruitment in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and some states accept CTET scores for recruiting teachers in their schools. After receiving the CTET verification candidates can download their certificate and marksheet from the official DigiLocker website.

Where Can Candidates Contact CBSE for CTET Queries?

For queries related to the CTET application form 2026, correction window, admit card, or exam date, candidates can reach the CTET Unit directly.