CTET September 2026: Complete Guide to Application, Eligibility, Exam Dates & Results

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the notification for the 22nd edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) September 2026. This is a golden opportunity for all aspiring teachers across India. If you dream of teaching in central government schools, KVS, NVS, or other CBSE-affiliated schools, CTET is your first step. Read this complete guide carefully before applying.

CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) is a national-level teacher eligibility exam conducted by CBSE, New Delhi. It is mandatory for anyone who wishes to teach classes I to VIII in schools under the Central Government. The exam is conducted in two papers — Paper I for teachers of classes I to V, and Paper II for teachers of classes VI to VIII. The 22nd edition of CTET will be held on 6th September 2026 (Sunday) across 132 cities in India, in 27 languages.

Important Dates of CTET 2026 Exam

Here are all the critical dates you must save right now:

CTET 2026 Application Process

The application process is entirely online. Follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Visit the official CTET website or CBSE website and click on the “Apply Online” link.

Step 2: Fill in the Authentication Form with your State, Identity Type, Name, Date of Birth, Gender, and Security PIN.

Step 3: Complete the Online Application Form and create a password. Note down the Registration Number/Application Number generated after submission.

Password Rules: Your password must be 8 to 13 characters long, with at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character from !@#$%^&*-

Step 4: Upload scanned images of your latest photograph (JPG/JPEG, 10–100 KB, 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm) and signature (JPG/JPEG, 3–30 KB, 3.5 cm x 1.5 cm).

Step 5: Pay the examination fee online using a Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking.

Step 6: Print the Confirmation Page and keep it safe for future reference. You do NOT need to send the Confirmation Page to CTET Unit.

Important: If a candidate submits more than one application, their candidature will be cancelled, and they may be debarred from future exams. No communication will be sent in this regard.

Correction in Details: After fee payment, most details cannot be changed. However, during the correction window (15 June to 18 June 2026), you can correct details like name, parent names, date of birth, category, paper opted, subject for Paper II, language options, correspondence address, and institution name. This correction facility is available only once. The city of examination cannot be changed.

Application Fee

The examination fee varies based on category and the number of papers opted:

GST will be charged extra by the bank as applicable.

Mode of Payment: Online only — Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking. Fee once paid will NOT be refunded under any circumstances. Fees submitted through any other mode, such as money order, demand draft, or IPO, will be rejected.

CTET 2026 Exam Schedule

The examination will be held on 06 September 2026 (Sunday) in pen-and-paper (OMR-based) offline mode.

If the number of candidates is too high, the exam may also be conducted on 05 September 2026 (Saturday).

Candidates must report at the examination centre 120 minutes before the exam starts: For Paper II (Morning): Report by 7:30 AM. For Paper I (Evening): Report by 12:30 PM

Candidates arriving after 9:30 AM (Paper II) or 2:30 PM (Paper I) will NOT be allowed to appear.

Read More: Download the CTET Syllabus!

Eligibility Criteria of CTET Exam

Minimum educational qualifications for CTET are as notified by NCTE. Candidates are advised to visit the NCTE website to check their eligibility in detail.

In general:

• For Paper I (Classes I–V): Senior Secondary (Class XII) with at least 50% marks AND 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education, OR Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks AND 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.).
• For Paper II (Classes VI–VIII): Graduation with at least 50% marks AND 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education, OR Graduation with B.Ed. qualification.

Note: SC/ST/OBC/Differently-Abled candidates get a relaxation of up to 5% in the qualifying marks of the minimum educational qualification as per NCTE notification.

The eligibility shall ultimately be verified by the concerned recruiting agency/appointing authority. Appearing in CTET does not guarantee an appointment.

Exam Pattern

All questions are Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with four options. Each question carries 1 mark. There is NO negative marking.

Paper I Structure (Classes I–V): Child Development and Pedagogy — 30 questions, 30 marks Mathematics — 30 questions, 30 marks Environmental Studies — 30 questions, 30 marks Language I (compulsory) — 30 questions, 30 marks Language II (compulsory) — 30 questions, 30 marks Total: 150 questions, 150 marks

Paper II Structure (Classes VI–VIII):

• Child Development and Pedagogy — 30 questions, 30 marks
• Mathematics and Science OR Social Studies/Social Science — 60 questions, 60 marks
• Language I (compulsory) — 30 questions, 30 marks
• Language II (compulsory) — 30 questions, 30 marks
• Total: 150 questions, 150 marks

The question paper will be bilingual (Hindi and English).

Candidates must choose two languages at the time of application. Language I focuses on the medium of instruction proficiency. Language II must be different from Language I and test communication and comprehension abilities. There are 27 language options, including Hindi, English, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Sanskrit, Punjabi, Odia, Malayalam, Kannada, Assamese, and others.

Qualifying Marks and CTET Certificate

A candidate who scores 60% or more (i.e., 90 out of 150 marks) will be considered as having passed the CTET. School managements may give concessions to reserved category candidates as per their reservation policy.

Validity of Certificate: The CTET qualifying certificate is valid for a LIFETIME for all categories. There is no limit on the number of attempts. A qualified candidate can also re-appear to improve their score.

Important: Qualifying CTET does not guarantee recruitment or employment. It is only one of the eligibility criteria for appointment.

CTET 2026 Exam Admit Card

Candidates can download their e-Admit Card from the official CTET website two days before the examination date. If there is any discrepancy in the admit card (name, photo, signature, or other details), contact CTET Unit immediately.

Candidates must carry a valid Admit Card to the examination centre. No candidate will be allowed to appear without it under any circumstances.

Result of CTET September 2026 Exam

The result of CTET September 2026 will tentatively be declared by the end of October 2026. The result and OMR answer sheet will be displayed on the official CTET website. Candidates can challenge answer keys by paying a non-refundable fee of Rs. 1000 per question during the stipulated time after the exam.

After the result, candidates can obtain a photocopy of their OMR answer sheet by paying Rs. 500 per OMR via Demand Draft in favour of the Secretary, CBSE, payable at Delhi.

There will be NO re-evaluation or re-checking of results.

Certificate and Mark Sheet

CBSE will issue CTET mark sheets to all candidates who appear in the exam, and eligibility certificates to those who qualify, in Digital Format through DigiLocker. These documents will be digitally signed and are legally valid as per the IT Act. They will also contain an encrypted QR Code for security verification. DigiLocker account credentials will be shared with candidates at their registered mobile numbers.

Some Important Rules to Remember

1. You must bring your own Black/Blue Ball Point Pen. Pens will NOT be provided by the Board. Use of a pencil is strictly prohibited — OMR sheets filled with a pencil will be rejected.
2. The following items are strictly NOT allowed inside the examination centre: mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, earphones, microphone, calculator, wristwatch, wallet, handbag, textbooks, notes, writing pads, electronic pen/scanner, log tables, or any other electronic gadget.
3. Do not leave your seat or the examination hall without handing over the OMR sheet to the invigilator and signing the attendance sheet a second time.
4. Changing an answer on the OMR sheet is NOT allowed. Use of eraser or whitener on the OMR sheet is not permitted.
5. Candidates must sign the attendance sheet twice — once after the exam starts and once when submitting the OMR sheet.
6. Any candidate found using unfair means or impersonating will have their candidature cancelled and may be debarred from future examinations.
7. No candidate can choose their exam city. CBSE will allot the exam city on a random basis. Requests for a change of exam city will not be entertained.
8. OMR records and answer sheets are preserved for only two months after the declaration of results.

Documents Required at the Time of Application

Before filling out the application form, keep these documents ready:

1. Scanned photograph in JPG/JPEG format (10–100 KB, 3.5 cm width x 4.5 cm height)
2. Scanned signature in JPG/JPEG format (3–30 KB, 3.5 cm length x 1.5 cm height)
3. Class X Certificate (for Name, Father’s Name, Mother’s Name, and Date of Birth)
4. Valid Identity Proof (Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, or any government-issued ID)
5. Educational qualification documents (Senior Secondary/Graduation/B.Ed./D.El.Ed. certificates)
6. Category certificate (if applicable — SC/ST/OBC/PwD)
7. For Differently-Abled candidates requiring a scribe: Original disability certificate on the prescribed proforma or UDID card from the appropriate issuing authority, and a certificate from a competent medical authority of a Government healthcare institution confirming limitation in writing ability.
8. Valid mobile number and email ID (CTET alerts will be sent only to your registered mobile number and email)
9. How to Apply — Quick Summary

Go to the official CTET website or CBSE website between 11 May 2026 and 10 June 2026, fill the online application form, upload your photograph and signature, pay the fee online, and print the Confirmation Page. That’s it — you’re registered!

For the latest updates, regularly visit the official CTET website or the CBSE website, mentioning your Registration/Application Number.

Best of luck to all CTET aspirants! Prepare well, apply on time, and take one more step towards your dream of becoming a teacher.