CTET 2026 Notification: Everything Students Need to Know

If you’re dreaming of a teaching career in a central government school, there’s big news for you. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the CTET notification for the 22nd edition of the exam, and with it comes a fresh round of dates, correction windows, and important updates that every aspiring teacher should know about.

This guide breaks down everything — what CTET actually is, who can apply, the latest notification details, important dates, exam pattern, and what this qualification means for your future.

What Is CTET?

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a national-level exam conducted by CBSE to determine who is eligible to work as a teacher for Classes I to VIII in schools across India, including Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS), and other central government and government-aided schools.

CTET exists because of the Right to Education (RTE) Act. Under Section 23(1) of the Act, the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) laid down that passing a Teacher Eligibility Test is one of the minimum qualifications required to be appointed as a teacher. The Ministry of Education handed the responsibility of conducting this test at the national level to CBSE.

The exam is split into two papers:

• Paper I — for candidates who want to teach Classes I to V (Primary level)
• Paper II — for candidates who want to teach Classes VI to VIII (Upper Primary level)

If you want to be eligible to teach both levels, you’ll need to clear both papers.

One more thing that makes CTET attractive: your certificate, once earned, is now valid for a lifetime — it used to expire after 7 years, but that rule was changed to make things easier for candidates.

Download the CTET Notification, click on the download button.

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The Latest CTET Notification: What’s Happened So Far

The current cycle — the 22nd edition of CTET, for the September 2026 session — has had a somewhat eventful rollout. Here’s the timeline as things stand:

1. May 11, 2026 — CBSE released the official CTET notification and detailed Information Bulletin for the September 2026 cycle.
2. May 11 – June 10, 2026 — The original application window was open.
3. The exam was originally scheduled for 6 September 2026 (with a possible additional sitting on 5 September if candidate numbers required it), to be conducted in 27 languages across 132 cities in India.
4. The exam was then postponed, and CBSE reopened the application window from 25 August to 1 September 2026 for candidates who had missed the process or wanted to apply fresh.
5. A correction window was opened (last date 10 September 2026) so candidates could fix errors in their submitted applications.
6. On 14 September 2026, CBSE issued a fresh public notice revising the exam date — the CTET exam is now expected to be held on 12–13 December 2026.

Because dates have moved more than once this cycle, the smart move is to treat “December 12–13” as the latest confirmed word, but keep checking the official portal for the final confirmation, since public notices are still being issued.

Read More: Download CTET Paper 2 PYQ!

Where to Check the Official Notification

Always go straight to the source rather than relying only on aggregator websites:

• Official CTET website
• Information Bulletin: Available under the “Information” tab on the homepage
• Public Notices section: Lists every official circular, including exam date revisions, correction windows, and reopening of applications
• CBSE main site: cbse.gov.in

The CTET portal has a “Public Notices” and “News & Events” section right on the homepage — this is where every update, including the most recent exam-date revision, gets posted first.

CTET Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility is different for Paper I and Paper II, and it’s set according to NCTE norms. Here’s a breakdown:

General Requirements (Both Papers)

• Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen (candidates from neighboring countries or of Indian origin may be considered under certain conditions)
• Age limit: Minimum 18 years to apply; there is no upper age limit
• Number of attempts: No restriction — you can appear for CTET as many times as you want

Paper I (Classes I–V) — Primary Teacher
You need one of the following:

• Senior Secondary (12th) with at least 50% marks + 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) — passed or appearing in final year
• Senior Secondary with at least 45% marks + 2-year D.El.Ed as per NCTE 2002 norms
• Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks + 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed) — passed or appearing
• Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks + 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education)

Important: As per Supreme Court orders and NCTE regulations, B.Ed candidates are no longer eligible for CTET Paper I (Primary Teacher posts).

Paper II (Classes VI–VIII) — Upper Primary Teacher
You need one of the following:

• Graduation + 2-year D.El.Ed (passed or appearing)
• Graduation with at least 50% marks + B.Ed (passed or appearing)
• Graduation with at least 45% marks + B.Ed, as per NCTE norms
• Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks + 4-year B.El.Ed
• Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks + 4-year B.A/B.Sc.Ed or B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed
• Graduation + 1-year B.Ed (Special Education)

For Postgraduates
Candidates with a postgraduate degree in any discipline (minimum 55% marks or equivalent grade) along with a 3-year integrated B.Ed–M.Ed programme are eligible for both Paper I and Paper II.

Reservation Relaxation
A 5% relaxation in the minimum qualifying marks is given to candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, and Differently-Abled categories.

Always cross-check the exact eligibility clause against the latest Information Bulletin on the official CTET website before applying — small wording differences can affect your eligibility.

CTET Exam Pattern

Paper I (for Classes I–V):

• Number of questions: 150 (MCQs)
• Marks: 150
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Negative marking: None

Paper II (for Classes VI–VIII):

• Number of questions: 150 (MCQs)
• Marks: 150
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Negative marking: None

Paper I Sections: Child Development & Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, Mathematics, Environmental Studies

Paper II Sections: Child Development & Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, and either Mathematics & Science (for Maths/Science teachers) or Social Studies/Social Science (for Social Studies teachers)

Candidates can choose from 27 languages for Language I and Language II, including several regional languages CBSE has progressively added — such as Maithili — to make the exam more inclusive.

There is no negative marking, so it’s worth attempting every question.

Application Fees (General Guide)

• General / OBC: ₹1,000 for one paper, ₹1,200 for both papers
• SC / ST / Differently-Abled: ₹600 for one paper, ₹600 for both papers

(GST, as applicable, is charged extra by the bank. Always confirm the exact fee structure in the current Information Bulletin, as it can be revised between cycles.)

Important Dates for CTET September 2026 Cycle (22nd Edition)

• Notification & Information Bulletin released: 11 May 2026
• Original application window: 11 May – 10 June 2026
• Originally scheduled exam date: 6 September 2026 (postponed)
• Application window reopened: 25 August – 1 September 2026
• Correction window: Last date 10 September 2026
• Revised exam date notice issued: 14 September 2026
• Revised exam date: 12–13 December 2026
• Admit card release: ~2 days before the exam
• Exam city intimation: ~15 days before the exam

Dates are subject to further revision by CBSE. Always confirm on Official CTET website before making travel or study plans around them.

How to Apply for CTET

1. Visit the official website
2. Look for the active “Apply Online” link under Candidate Activity
3. Register with your basic details to generate login credentials
4. Fill in the application form with personal, educational, and category details
5. Upload scanned photo and signature (mandatory)
6. Pay the application fee online
7. Submit and download/print the confirmation page for your records

If you spot an error after submitting, don’t panic — CBSE typically opens a correction window a few weeks later where you can log in and fix mistakes.

Why CTET Matters: Career and Future Prospects

Clearing CTET isn’t just a certificate — it opens doors:

• Eligibility for central government teaching posts in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), and other central schools
• Preferred/required qualification in many state and private school recruitment processes, since several states accept CTET scores instead of running their own State TET
• Lifetime validity of the certificate, so you’re not racing against an expiry date
• Unlimited attempts, meaning you can keep improving your score for better job prospects
• A structured entry point into the teaching profession, with the exam testing genuine pedagogical understanding (Child Development & Pedagogy) rather than just subject knowledge

With the Indian government continuing to invest in school education (Samagra Shiksha, NEP 2020 implementation, recruitment drives in KVS/NVS), a valid CTET score keeps you positioned for openings as they come up — making it worth staying current on notifications even if you’re not applying for a specific job right this moment.

Final Word

CTET 2026 has seen a few date changes this cycle, which can be stressful if you’re preparing for a specific timeline. The safest approach: bookmark official website check it regularly (especially the “Public Notices” section), and don’t rely solely on third-party exam-prep sites for your final dates — use them for guidance and practice material, but confirm every date, fee, and eligibility clause against the official Information Bulletin before you apply.

Good luck with your preparation!

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available notifications as of September 16, 2026. CTET dates and rules are subject to change by CBSE — always verify current details on the official website before making decisions.

Quick FAQs

Is there negative marking in CTET?
No, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers.

How many times can I attempt CTET?
There’s no cap — you can appear as many times as you like.

What is the validity of the CTET certificate?
Lifetime, as per the revised NCTE/CBSE rules.

Can B.Ed candidates apply for Paper I?
No — as per Supreme Court orders and NCTE regulations, B.Ed candidates are not eligible for Paper I (Primary Teacher).

What is the CTET exam fee for general category candidates?
For General/OBC candidates, the fee is ₹1,000 for one paper and ₹1,200 for both papers. SC/ST/Differently-Abled candidates pay ₹600 regardless of whether they apply for one or both papers.

How many times is CTET conducted in a year?
CBSE conducts CTET twice a year — typically one cycle around February and another around July/September, though exact timing can shift.

Can I apply for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 in the same application?
Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria for both, you can appear for both papers in a single application by paying the combined fee.

What documents do I need to apply for CTET?
You’ll need a scanned passport-size photograph, scanned signature, educational qualification certificates/marksheets, category certificate (if applicable), and a valid ID for verification.

Is CTET qualification enough to get a teaching job directly?
No. Clearing CTET only makes you eligible to apply for teaching posts — it doesn’t guarantee a job. You still need to apply separately to schools like KVS, NVS, or state/private institutions when vacancies open.

What is the minimum qualifying score to pass CTET?
General category candidates need 60% or more (90 out of 150) to pass. Reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD) get a 5% relaxation, so the qualifying mark is 55% (82.5 out of 150).

Can I correct my CTET application after submission?
Yes, CBSE usually opens a correction window a few weeks after the application deadline, allowing candidates to fix errors in personal details, category, exam city preference, etc.

Is CTET valid across all Indian states?
CTET is mandatory for central government schools (KVS, NVS). Many states also accept CTET in place of their own State TET, but some states still require candidates to clear their respective State TET separately — so it’s worth checking your target state’s specific requirement.

What if I miss the CTET application deadline?
Occasionally, CBSE reopens the application window for a short period (as happened in this cycle from 25 August to 1 September 2026). If you miss it, you’ll typically have to wait for the next exam cycle.

Do I need to appear for CTET again if I already have a State TET certificate?
Not necessarily for state-level jobs in states that accept their own TET, but if you want to be eligible for central government schools (KVS/NVS) or states that don’t run their own TET, you’ll need to clear CTET separately.