The Central Board of Secondary Education has officially released great news for people in India who want to become teachers. The CTET 2026 Exam Date will take place on February 8, 2026. This is a very important chance for teachers to get their credentials. This test for teachers at the national level certifies people to teach in both public and private elementary and upper primary schools. The next test will be the 21st in this well-known certification program. Because the policy change made certificates valid for life, passing this test is now even more important for long-term job possibilities in education.
- Exam Date and Schedule
- Detailed Exam Schedule and Requirements
- Eligibility Criteria for Paper 1 (Classes 1-5)
- Eligibility Criteria for Paper 2 (Classes 6-8)
- Eligibility Requirements Explained
- Exam Pattern for Paper 1 (Primary Level)
- Exam Pattern for Paper 2 (Upper Primary Level)
- Exam Pattern and Question Format
- CTET 2026 Exam Application Fee Structure
- Online Application Process Steps
- Certificate Validity and Career Opportunities
- Effective Preparation Strategy
- Frequently Asked Questions – CTET 2026
Exam Date and Schedule
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Date | February 8, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Notification Release | Late October 2025 |
| Application Window | 30 days (Approximate) |
| Exam Format | Offline (Written Mode) |
| Total Exam Cities | 132 Cities Nationwide |
| Languages Offered | 20 Regional Languages |
| Morning Session (Paper 2) | 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Afternoon Session (Paper 1) | 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM |
| Admit Card Release | 14 days before exam |
Detailed Exam Schedule and Requirements
The test will take place in 132 towns around the country, making it easy for people from all over to take it. The test will be offered in 20 different languages, so people who don’t know English can take it. Candidates must bring their admit card, a valid form of ID, and a black ballpoint pen to the testing center.
The morning shift is all about Paper 2, which is for people who want to teach classes 6 through 8 (upper elementary level). The afternoon shift is for people who want to teach classes 1 through 5 (primary level) and covers Paper 1. Both sessions go for 2.5 hours and have the identical marking pattern.
Candidates might choose to take one paper at a time or both papers on the same day. In the offline exam format, applicants must use a black ballpoint pen to mark their answers on optical mark recognition (OMR) sheets. To make sure the test is real and to avoid any technical problems during the process, this conventional format has been kept the same.
Eligibility Criteria for Paper 1 (Classes 1-5)
| Qualification Option | Minimum Marks Required |
|---|---|
| Senior Secondary + 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education | 50% (45% for reserved) |
| Senior Secondary + 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education | 50% Marks |
| Graduation + Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) | As per NCTE Standards |
| Graduation + 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education | 50% Marks |
Eligibility Criteria for Paper 2 (Classes 6-8)
| Qualification Option | Minimum Marks Required |
|---|---|
| Graduation + 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education | 50% Marks |
| Graduation + Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) | 50% (45% for reserved) |
| Senior Secondary + 4-year B.El.Ed/B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed | 50% Marks |
| Post-Graduation + Integrated B.Ed-M.Ed Program | 55% Marks |
Eligibility Requirements Explained
You must be at least 18 years old to take this test. There is no upper age limit, which means that anyone over the age of 18 can apply. This rule gives people from different professional backgrounds and those who want to change careers more options.
All applicants must be Indian nationals. People who are currently in their last year of a B.Ed. or a Diploma in Elementary Education can also apply for this test. The examiners let candidates take the test as many times as they like, so they can try to get a better score.
Candidates in the reserved category (Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backward Class, and Persons with Disabilities) can get lower minimum necessary marks. In general, they need to get 5% less than people in the general category. The National Council for Teacher Education says that these relaxations are okay.
Exam Pattern for Paper 1 (Primary Level)
| Subject/Topic | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I (Mandatory) | 30 | 30 |
| Language II (Mandatory) | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics and Numeracy | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
| TOTAL | 150 | 150 |
Exam Pattern for Paper 2 (Upper Primary Level)
| Subject/Topic | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I (Mandatory) | 30 | 30 |
| Language II (Mandatory) | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics and Science OR Social Science | 60 | 60 |
| TOTAL | 150 | 150 |
Exam Pattern and Question Format
There are 150 multiple-choice questions on each exam paper, and the total score is 150 points. The scoring system is simple: each correct answer gets one mark. It’s important to note that wrong responses don’t lose any points. This implies that candidates can answer every question without worrying about losing points for getting them wrong.
The test is only objective, with multiple-choice questions that each have four choices. The total time for each paper is 2 hours and 30 minutes, which is enough time to think about all of the questions carefully. The exam is done in person, on paper and with a pen, and the answer papers are marked using optical recognition technology.
CTET 2026 Exam Application Fee Structure
| Category | Single Paper Fee | Both Papers Fee |
|---|---|---|
| General Category | Rs. 1,000 | Rs. 1,200 |
| Other Backward Class | Rs. 1,000 | Rs. 1,200 |
| Scheduled Caste | Rs. 500 | Rs. 600 |
| Scheduled Tribe | Rs. 500 | Rs. 600 |
| Persons with Disabilities | Rs. 500 | Rs. 600 |
Online Application Process Steps
- The whole application process is done online. First, candidates must sign up by giving their name, email address, phone number, and date of birth. The system will then make a unique registration number that will be the user ID for all future interactions.
- After that, candidates fill out a long application form with their contact information, qualifications, and educational background. They have to choose which paper(s) they want to take: Paper 1, Paper 2, or both. After that, candidates choose the city where they would like to take the exam from the list of alternatives. Once you choose an exam city, you can’t modify it, therefore you need to think carefully about your choice.
- Candidates must upload a current passport-sized photo (10–200 KB, 3.5×4.5 cm) and their signature (4–30 KB, 3.5×1.5 cm) in the right digital format. People in reserved categories must also upload the right certifications so that they can be checked.
- Candidates then pay the application fee with one of the many payment methods available, such as debit cards, credit cards, net banking, or digital payment choices. The system makes a confirmation page once a payment is successful. You should download it and keep it for future reference.
Certificate Validity and Career Opportunities
The current policy that makes the teaching eligibility certificate valid for life is one of the most important things that has happened for people who want to be teachers. This means that your certificate will always be valid when you pass the test. This lifelong validity goes back to all certificates issued after 2011.
Before, candidates had to renew their certification every seven years, which put pressure on them to find a job promptly. The new policy does away with this restriction, so instructors can apply for jobs at any time in their careers without having to take the test again.
To pass the exam, candidates must get at least the minimum qualifying marks set for their category:
- General category: 60% (90 marks out of 150)
- Reserved category: 55% (approximately 82.5 marks out of 150)
Qualified candidates become eligible for teaching positions in numerous prestigious institutions nationwide. These include:
- Government schools across various states
- Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS) – central government schools
- Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS) – residential schools
- Armed Forces schools – army and military institutions
- CBSE-affiliated private schools – thousands nationwide
- State government schools – in participating states
- Specialized educational institutions
The qualification greatly improves job prospects and opens up many doors to work in the education field.
Effective Preparation Strategy
To get ready for tests, you need to study NCERT books from classes 1 through 8 in a methodical way, especially for math, science, environmental studies, and social studies. Instead than memorizing facts, try to grasp the ideas behind them.
To become used to the types of questions and levels of difficulty, practice a lot with question papers from prior years. During your study time, try to solve at least 10–15 example papers.
Make short study notes that you may use to quickly review, especially for ideas on how children grow and learn. Take practice tests on a regular basis to see how you’re doing and find areas where you need to work harder.
During the actual test, plan how you will spend your time so that you have 35 to 40 minutes for each subject portion. Try to answer every question instead of leaving any blank, since there is no negative marking.
This article provides general information based on examination guidelines. Candidates should verify final details from official sources before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions – CTET 2026
Q1. When is the CTET 2026 exam scheduled?
A: The CTET 2026 examination will be conducted on February 8, 2026 (Sunday). The morning session will start at 9:30 AM for Paper 2, while the afternoon session begins at 2:00 PM for Paper 1. Each session will last for 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Q2. When will the official notification be released?
A: The detailed information bulletin is expected to be released in late October 2025. The notification will contain complete information about application dates, fees, exam centers, and other important guidelines. Keep checking the official portal regularly for updates.
Q3. When can I apply for CTET 2026?
A: The application window will open shortly after the notification release. Candidates will typically have approximately 30 days to submit their online applications. The exact application start and end dates will be announced in the official notification.
Q4. Can I apply for both Paper 1 and Paper 2?
A: Yes, candidates can apply for both papers simultaneously. You can appear for Paper 1 (Classes 1-5), Paper 2 (Classes 6-8), or both papers on the same examination day. The application fee will be different for applying to one paper versus both papers.
Q5. Is there any age limit for CTET 2026?
A: Candidates must be at least 18 years old to apply for CTET. However, there is no upper age limit. This means teaching aspirants of any age above 18 can take the examination, making it accessible for career changers and professionals from other fields.
Q6. Can I take CTET multiple times?
A: Yes, there is no restriction on the number of attempts. Candidates can appear for the CTET examination unlimited times. You can take the test again to improve your score even after qualifying. Higher scores provide better opportunities during recruitment processes.
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