The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the notification for the 22nd edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET). The online application process has already started from 11 May 2026, and the last date to apply is 10 June 2026. The exam is scheduled for 6 September 2026 (Sunday).
In this article, we will explain everything about CTET 2026 — who can apply, how to apply, what the exam looks like, and much more.
What is CTET?
CTET stands for Central Teacher Eligibility Test. It is a national-level exam conducted by CBSE to check whether a candidate is eligible to teach in government schools for Classes I to VIII.
There are two papers in CTET:
- Paper I – For those who want to teach Classes I to V (Primary Level)
- Paper II – For those who want to teach Classes VI to VIII (Upper Primary Level)
If you want to teach both levels, you need to appear in both papers.
Passing CTET does not guarantee a job directly, but it is a mandatory qualification for applying to central school teaching posts. And the best part — your CTET certificate is now valid for a lifetime for all categories!
CTET 2026 – Key Highlights
| Exam Name | Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) |
| Edition | 22nd Edition |
| Conducting Body | CBSE |
| Notification Date | 8 May 2026 |
| Application Start | 11 May 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 10 June 2026 |
| Correction Window | 15 – 18 June 2026 |
| Exam Date | 6 September 2026 (Sunday) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (OMR-based) |
| Result (Tentative) | End of October 2026 |
| Official Website | ctet.nic.in |
CTET 2026 Exam Date and Schedule
The CTET 2026 exam will be held on 6 September 2026 (Sunday) across 132 cities in India and in 27 different languages. The exam will be conducted in two shifts:
| Paper | Shift | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Paper II (Classes VI–VIII) | Morning | 9:30 AM to 12:00 Noon |
| Paper I (Classes I–V) | Evening | 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM |
Note: If the number of registered candidates is very high, the exam may also be conducted on 5 September 2026 (Saturday).
Who Can Apply? – CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility conditions are set by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). Candidates from SC, ST, OBC, and Differently-Abled categories get a relaxation of up to 5% in minimum qualifying marks for educational qualifications.
Eligibility for Paper I (Classes I to V)
You are eligible if you have:
- Senior Secondary (12th) with at least 50% marks + passed or appearing in the final year of 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed), OR
- 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed), OR
- 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education), OR
- Bachelor’s Degree with at least 50% marks + B.Ed as per NCTE norms
Eligibility for Paper II (Classes VI to VIII)
You are eligible if you have:
- Bachelor’s Degree + passed or appearing in the final year of 2-year D.El.Ed, OR
- Bachelor’s Degree with at least 50% marks + B.Ed, OR
- Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks + 4-year B.El.Ed / B.A.Ed / B.Sc.Ed, OR
- Any equivalent qualification as recognised by NCTE
CTET 2026 Exam Pattern – Paper I and Paper II
Both papers are offline (OMR-based) and contain 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) of 1 mark each. There is no negative marking, so you can attempt all questions without fear.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes per paper
Paper I Structure (Classes I to V)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Paper II Structure (Classes VI to VIII)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Maths & Science OR Social Studies/Social Science | 60 | 60 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Qualifying Marks: You need to score 60% or above (i.e., 90 out of 150) to pass CTET. Reserved category candidates may get relaxation as per government norms.
CTET 2026 Application Fee
The application fee can be paid online through Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking. Please note that the fee is non-refundable once paid.
| Category | Only Paper I or II | Both Paper I & II |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC (NCL) | ₹1000 | ₹1200 |
| SC / ST / Differently Abled | ₹500 | ₹600 |
GST charges will be extra as applied by the bank.
Languages Available in CTET 2026
CTET 2026 will be conducted in 27 languages. Candidates need to choose two languages — Language I and Language II must be different from each other.
The available languages are: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Garo, Gujarati, Kannada, Khasi, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Mizo, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Tibetan, Urdu, Bodo, Dogri, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Santhali, and Sindhi.
How to Apply for CTET 2026 – Step-by-Step Guide
Before starting your application, keep these documents ready:
- Scanned Photograph: 10 KB to 100 KB, size 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm (JPG/JPEG format)
- Scanned Signature: 3 KB to 30 KB, size 3.5 cm × 1.5 cm (JPG/JPEG format)
Step 1: Visit the official CTET website — ctet.nic.in
Step 2: Click on the “New Registration” or “Apply Online” link.
Step 3: Fill in the authentication form — enter your State, Identity type, Name, Date of Birth, and Gender exactly as mentioned in your Class X certificate.
Step 4: Complete the full application form and create a strong password (8–13 characters with at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character).
Step 5: Note down your Registration/Application Number carefully.
Step 6: Upload your scanned photograph and signature in JPG/JPEG format.
Step 7: Pay the examination fee online.
Step 8: Take a printout of the Confirmation Page and keep it safe for future reference.
CTET 2026 Correction Window
Made a mistake in your form? Don’t worry. CBSE will allow candidates to make corrections in their application from 15 June 2026 to 18 June 2026. Use this window wisely to fix any errors.
Admit Card and Result
- Admit Card: Will be released two days before the exam on the official website.
- Result: Expected to be declared by the end of October 2026 (tentative).
Useful Web-Links of CTET 2026
| Application Form | Click Here |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Information Bulletin | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for CTET 2026?
The last date to apply online for CTET 2026 is 10 June 2026.
Q2. When is the CTET 2026 exam date?
CTET 2026 will be held on 6 September 2026 (Sunday). If needed, it may also be conducted on 5 September 2026 (Saturday).
Q3. Is there negative marking in CTET 2026?
No, there is no negative marking in CTET. You get 1 mark for every correct answer.
Q4. How many marks do I need to pass CTET?
You need to score 60% or above, which means at least 90 marks out of 150 to qualify.
Q5. How long is the CTET certificate valid?
The CTET certificate is now valid for a lifetime for candidates of all categories.
Q6. Can I apply for both Paper I and Paper II?
Yes, you can apply for both papers if you wish to teach both primary (Classes I–V) and upper primary (Classes VI–VIII) levels.
Q7. What is the application fee for CTET 2026?
The fee is ₹1000 for General/OBC candidates (single paper) and ₹500 for SC/ST/Differently Abled candidates. For both papers, the fee is ₹1200 and ₹600 respectively.
Q8. When will the CTET 2026 admit card be released?
The admit card will be available on the official website two days before the exam date.
Q9. Can I make corrections after submitting the application?
Yes. CBSE will allow corrections from 15 June 2026 to 18 June 2026 only.
Q10. In how many languages is CTET conducted?
CTET 2026 is conducted in 27 languages, including regional languages like Assamese, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati, and more.