| Exam Name | CTET September 2026 |
| Edition | 22nd Edition |
| Organization | CBSE |
| Exam Date | 6 September 2026 |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Apply Fee | ₹500 to ₹1200 |
| Start Date | 11 May 2026 |
| Last Date | 1 September 2026 |
CTET Notification 2026
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the official CTET Notification for the 22nd edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test. The exam is scheduled for 6 September 2026 (Sunday) and will be conducted in 27 languages across 132 cities in India. Eligible candidates can submit their online applications from 11 May 2026 to 10 June 2026 through the official CTET website.
CTET is conducted for persons who want to become teachers for Classes I to VIII in schools. Paper I is for those aspiring to teach Classes I to V, while Paper II is for those who want to teach Classes VI to VIII. Candidates planning to teach both levels need to appear in both papers.
In view of a review Petition (Civil) Diary No. 53434/2025 in Civil Appeal No. 1385/202 at The Hon’ble Supreme Court, CBSE has reopened the online application portal of CTET September 2026 from 25 August 2026 to 1 September 2026 to provide an opportunity to all eligible candidates who could not avail themselves of the earlier application window. However, candidates who have already completed and submitted their applications need not apply again.
CTET Exam Details
Exam Name: Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET)
Conducting Body: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Papers: Paper I (Classes I to V) and Paper II (Classes VI to VIII)
Exam Date: 6 September 2026 (Sunday)
Exam Mode: Offline (OMR-based)
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes per paper
Total Questions: 150 MCQs (1 mark each, no negative marking)
Question Paper Language: Bilingual (Hindi/English)
Qualifying Marks: 60% or above
Validity: Lifetime for all categories
CTET 2026 Exam Schedule
| Paper | Shift | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Paper II | Morning | 09:30 AM to 12:00 Noon |
| Paper I | Evening | 02:30 PM to 05:00 PM |
If the number of candidates increases, the exam may also be conducted on 5 September 2026 (Saturday).
CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The minimum qualifications for appearing in CTET are notified by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). Candidates should check the NCTE website to confirm their eligibility before applying. A relaxation of up to 5% in the qualifying marks of the minimum educational qualification is allowed to candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, and Differently-abled categories.
Eligibility for Paper I (Classes I to V)
Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education, OR 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed), OR 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education), OR a Bachelor’s Degree with at least 50% marks along with B.Ed qualification as per NCTE norms.
Eligibility for Paper II (Classes VI to VIII)
Bachelor’s Degree and passed or appearing in the final year of 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education, OR Bachelor’s Degree with at least 50% marks and B.Ed, OR Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and 4-year B.El.Ed/B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed, OR equivalent qualifications as per NCTE norms.
CTET 2026 Exam Pattern
Both Paper I and Paper II contain 150 multiple-choice questions of one mark each. There is no negative marking. The duration of each paper is 2 hours 30 minutes.
Paper I Structure (Classes I to V)
| Subject | MCQs | 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 | MCQs | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies/Social Science | 60 | 60 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
CTET 2026 Application Fee
The fee can be paid through Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking. GST will be charged extra by the bank. Fee once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances.
| Category | Only Paper I or II | Both Paper I & II |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC (NCL) | ₹1000 | ₹1200 |
| SC / ST / Differently Abled Person | ₹500 | ₹600 |
Languages Offered for CTET 2026
Candidates have to select two languages from the list of 27 available languages. Language II must be different from Language I. The languages available 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?
Before starting the application, keep a scanned photograph (10 KB to 100 KB, 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm) and signature (3 KB to 30 KB, 3.5 cm × 1.5 cm) ready in JPG/JPEG format. Use the Application Form link given in the Important Links section below to start the application.
| Step 1: Click on the Application Form link given in the Important Links section below. |
| Step 2: Fill the authentication form with State, Identity type, Name, Date of Birth, and Gender as per Class X certificate. |
| Step 3: Complete the online application form and create a password (8 to 13 characters with one uppercase, one lowercase, one number, and one special character). |
| Step 4: Note down the Registration Number / Application Number generated by the system. |
| Step 5: Upload the scanned photograph and signature in JPG/JPEG format. |
| Step 6: Pay the examination fee through Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking. |
| Step 7: Take a printout of the Confirmation Page for your record. |
Note: If a candidate submits more than one online application, his/her candidature will be cancelled, and the candidate may also be debarred from future examinations. Online correction in particulars will be allowed only from 15 June 2026 to 18 June 2026.
Important Dates of CTET 2026
| Notification Date | 8 May 2026 |
| Apply Start Date | 11 May 2026 |
| Apply End Date | 10 June 2026 |
| Correction Window | 15 – 18 June 2026 |
| Apply Reopened | 26 Aug – 1 Sept 2026 |
| Admit Card | Two days before the exam |
| Exam Date | To be notified |
| Result Declaration | By the end of October 2026 (Tentative) |
Important Links of CTET 2026
| Application Form | Click Here |
| CTET Exam Guide | Click Here |
| Apply Reopen Notice | Click Here |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Information Bulletin | Click Here |
| WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
| Install Android App | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will the CTET 2026 exam be conducted?
The CTET 2026 exam will be conducted on 6 September 2026 (Sunday). If the number of candidates increases, the exam may also be held on 5 September 2026 (Saturday).
What is the last date to apply for CTET 2026?
The last date to submit the online application and pay the examination fee is 10 June 2026 up to 11:59 PM. CBSE has reopened the online application portal of CTET September 2026 from 25 August 2026 to 1 September 2026.
Can I choose my exam city while applying for CTET 2026?
No, there is no provision to select the examination city on the online application portal. CBSE will allot the city on a random basis, and no change request will be accepted.
What is the qualifying mark for CTET 2026?
A candidate who scores 60% or more in the CTET exam will be considered a TET pass. School managements may give concessions to SC, ST, OBC, and Differently abled candidates as per their reservation policy.
What is the validity of the CTET certificate?
The CTET qualifying certificate is valid for a lifetime for all categories. There is no restriction on the number of attempts a candidate can take.
Is there negative marking in CTET 2026?
No, there is no negative marking in CTET. Each question carries one mark, and candidates can attempt all 150 questions without any penalty for wrong answers.
What documents are required for the CTET application?”