CTET September 2026 - Central Teacher Eligibility Test

Exam

22nd Edition

Central Teacher Eligibility Test - September 2026

Conducting Body

CBSE

Central Board of Secondary Education

Paper I

Primary Stage

For teaching Classes I to V

Paper II

Elementary Stage

For teaching Classes VI to VIII

Application Status

Latest Update

Application Re-Opened

Re-Open Date

Online Application

25 August 2026

Re-Open Last Date

Online Application

1 September 2026

Exam Date

Latest Status

To Be Announced

Application Mode

Mode of Application

Online

Certificate Validity

CTET

Lifetime

Child Development and Pedagogy

Paper I

30 MCQs for 30 marks.

Mathematics

Paper I

30 MCQs for 30 marks.

Environmental Studies

Paper I

30 MCQs for 30 marks.

Language I

Paper I

30 MCQs for 30 marks. Candidate selects one language from the available language list.

Language II

Paper I

30 MCQs for 30 marks. Language II must be different from Language I.

Child Development and Pedagogy

Paper II

30 MCQs for 30 marks.

Mathematics and Science

Paper II

60 MCQs for 60 marks for candidates intending to teach Mathematics and Science.

Social Studies / Social Science

Paper II

60 MCQs for 60 marks for candidates intending to teach Social Studies/Social Science.

Language I

Paper II

30 MCQs for 30 marks.

Language II

Paper II

30 MCQs for 30 marks. Language II must be different from Language I.

Languages Offered

27 Languages

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.

Languages:

• 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
• Sindhi

Qualifying Marks

CTET

A candidate who scores 60% or more in the TET examination is considered to have passed CTET as per the applicable NCTE notification.

Certificate Validity

CTET

The validity period of the CTET qualifying certificate for appointment is lifetime for all categories.

Number of Attempts

CTET

There is no restriction on the number of attempts a person can take for acquiring the CTET certificate.

Candidates Who Already Applied

Important

Candidates who have already successfully completed and submitted their applications do not need to apply again.

Examination Cities

All India

The CTET examination is conducted across cities in India. Examination city allocation is made by CBSE according to the applicable instructions and availability.

Examination Mode

CTET

Pen-and-paper based examination using OMR answer sheets.

Question Type

CTET

All questions are Multiple Choice Questions with four alternatives, of which one answer is the most appropriate.

Paper I Eligibility - Code 3

Classes I to V

Senior Secondary or equivalent with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.).

Paper II Eligibility - Code 2

Classes VI to VIII

Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 1-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed.).

Paper II Eligibility - Code 3

Classes VI to VIII

Graduation with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 1-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed.) in accordance with applicable NCTE regulations.

Paper II Eligibility - Code 4

Classes VI to VIII

Senior Secondary or equivalent with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.).

Paper II Eligibility - Code 5

Classes VI to VIII

Senior Secondary or equivalent with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year B.A./B.Sc.Ed. or B.A.Ed./B.Sc.Ed.

Paper II Eligibility - Code 6

Classes VI to VIII

Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 1-year B.Ed. (Special Education).

Final Eligibility Verification

Important

Permission to appear in CTET does not mean that the candidate eligibility has been verified. Final eligibility is verified by the concerned recruiting or appointing authority.

Employment Implication

Important

Qualifying CTET does not confer a right to recruitment or employment. It is one of the eligibility criteria for appointment as a teacher.

Paper I Eligibility - Code 1

Classes I to V

Senior Secondary or equivalent with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.).

Paper I Eligibility - Code 2

Classes I to V

Senior Secondary or equivalent with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education in accordance with applicable NCTE regulations.

Paper I Eligibility - Code 4

Classes I to V

Senior Secondary or equivalent with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education).

Teacher Education: 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education)

Paper I Eligibility - Code 5

Classes I to V

Graduation and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education.

Paper II Eligibility - Code 1

Classes VI to VIII

Graduation and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education.

Relaxation in Educational Qualification

Reserved Categories

Up to 5% relaxation in qualifying marks in the minimum educational qualification may be allowed to candidates belonging to reserved categories such as SC, ST, OBC and differently-abled candidates as per NCTE provisions.

Categories:

• SC
• ST
• OBC
• Differently Abled

Why Application Portal Was Reopened

Latest CBSE Notice

The portal has been reopened to provide an opportunity to eligible candidates who could not avail themselves of the earlier application window, in view of the Hon'ble Supreme Court judgment emphasizing a reasonable opportunity for eligible teachers to comply with the statutory requirement of acquiring the prescribed TET qualification.

Reason: Opportunity for eligible candidates who could not apply earlier

No upper age limit is prescribed for appearing in CTET. Eligibility is primarily based on the prescribed educational and teacher-training qualifications.

Paper I

Classes I to V

For candidates intending to become teachers for Classes I to V (Primary Stage).

Paper II

Classes VI to VIII

For candidates intending to become teachers for Classes VI to VIII (Elementary Stage).

Both Paper I and Paper II

Classes I to VIII

Candidates intending to become teachers for both levels must appear in both Paper I and Paper II.

General / OBC(NCL) - One Paper

Paper I or Paper II

Rs.1000 plus applicable GST.

General / OBC(NCL) - Both Papers

Paper I and Paper II

Rs.1200 plus applicable GST.

SC / ST / Differently Abled - One Paper

Paper I or Paper II

Rs.500 plus applicable GST.

SC / ST / Differently Abled - Both Papers

Paper I and Paper II

Rs.600 plus applicable GST.

Revised Examination Date

Latest Update

The revised date of the 22nd Edition of CTET examination will be announced after closure of the reopened application portal.

Examination City Selection

Important

As stated in the original public notice, candidates do not have a provision to select an examination city in the online application portal. CBSE may allot the examination city on a random basis and requests for change of allotted city are not accepted.

Paper I - Exam Pattern

Classes I to V

Paper I consists of 150 Multiple Choice Questions carrying 150 marks. Duration is two and a half hours. There is no negative marking.

Paper II - Exam Pattern

Classes VI to VIII

Paper II consists of 150 Multiple Choice Questions carrying 150 marks. Duration is two and a half hours. There is no negative marking.

Question Paper Language

Main Question Paper

The main question paper is bilingual in Hindi and English, except for the language sections.

Languages:

• Hindi
• English

Negative Marking

CTET

There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.

Paper I Examination

Stage 1

Candidates opting for teaching Classes I to V appear in Paper I.

Paper II Examination

Stage 2

Candidates opting for teaching Classes VI to VIII appear in Paper II.

Both Papers

Stage 3

Candidates seeking eligibility for both levels appear in both Paper I and Paper II.

CTET Qualification

Final Stage

Candidates securing the prescribed qualifying score are awarded the CTET qualifying certificate, subject to applicable rules.

What is CTET September 2026?

CTET September 2026 is the 22nd Edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education.

Has the CTET September 2026 application form been reopened?

Yes. CBSE has reopened the online application portal from 25 August 2026 to 1 September 2026.

Who needs to apply again after the CTET application was reopened?

Eligible candidates who could not avail themselves of the earlier application window may apply during the reopened window. Candidates who already successfully completed and submitted their applications do not need to apply again.

When is the CTET September 2026 exam?

The originally notified examination date was 6 September 2026. The latest re-opening notice states that the revised examination date will be announced after closure of the reopened application portal.

What is the last date for the reopened CTET application?

The reopened application window closes on 1 September 2026.

What is Paper I in CTET?

Paper I is intended for candidates who want to become teachers for Classes I to V.

What is Paper II in CTET?

Paper II is intended for candidates who want to become teachers for Classes VI to VIII.

Can I apply for both CTET Paper I and Paper II?

Yes. Candidates intending to become teachers for both Classes I to V and Classes VI to VIII must appear in both Paper I and Paper II.

How many questions are there in CTET Paper I?

Paper I contains 150 multiple-choice questions carrying 150 marks and has a duration of two and a half hours.

How many questions are there in CTET Paper II?

Paper II contains 150 multiple-choice questions carrying 150 marks and has a duration of two and a half hours.

Is there negative marking in CTET?

No. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.

What is the CTET application fee?

General/OBC(NCL) candidates pay Rs.1000 for one paper or Rs.1200 for both papers. SC/ST/Differently Abled candidates pay Rs.500 for one paper or Rs.600 for both papers, plus applicable GST.

Is there an age limit for CTET?

There is no upper age limit prescribed for appearing in CTET. Candidates must satisfy the prescribed educational eligibility requirements.

How long is the CTET certificate valid?

The CTET qualifying certificate is valid for lifetime for all categories.

How many times can I appear for CTET?

There is no restriction on the number of attempts a person can take for acquiring the CTET certificate.

Does qualifying CTET guarantee a teaching job?

No. Qualifying CTET does not confer a right to recruitment or employment. It is one of the eligibility criteria for appointment as a teacher.

What is the qualifying percentage for CTET?

A candidate scoring 60% or more in the TET examination is considered to have passed CTET as per the applicable NCTE notification.