The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the notification for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) – February 2026. CBSE will conduct the 21st edition of CTET on 08 February 2026 in offline mode across multiple examination centres in India.
Candidates aspiring to become teachers for Classes I to V (Primary Level) and Classes VI to VIII (Upper Primary Level) must qualify the CTET examination. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the official CTET portal before the last date.
CBSE CTET 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of Examination | Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) |
| Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| CTET Edition | 21st |
| Exam Date | 08 February 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Offline (OMR Based) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Certificate Validity | Lifetime |
| Exam Centres in Assam | Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Silchar |
| Last Date to Apply | 18 December 2025 |
| Official Website | https://ctet.nic.in |
Important Dates of CTET February 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Start of Online Application | 27 November 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 18 December 2025 |
| Issue of Admit Card | To be updated |
| CTET Exam Date | 08 February 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria for CTET 2026
The minimum educational qualifications are prescribed by NCTE. Candidates are advised to verify eligibility from the official NCTE website before applying.
CTET Eligibility for Classes I–V (Primary Level)
Candidates must fulfill any one of the following qualifications:
- Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed/appearing in final year of 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education
- Senior Secondary with at least 45% marks and passed/appearing in final year of 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (as per NCTE norms)
- Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed/appearing in final year of 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed)
- Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed/appearing in final year of 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education)
- Graduation with at least 50% marks and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed)
Note: Candidates with B.Ed qualification must undergo a mandatory 6-month Bridge Course in Elementary Education as prescribed by NCTE.
CTET Eligibility for Classes VI–VIII (Upper Primary Level)
Candidates must fulfill any one of the following qualifications:
- Graduation and passed/appearing in final year of 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education
- Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed/appearing in 1-year B.Ed
- Graduation with at least 45% marks and passed/appearing in 1-year B.Ed (as per NCTE norms)
- Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed/appearing in final year of 4-year B.El.Ed
- Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed/appearing in final year of 4-year B.A.Ed / B.Sc.Ed
- Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed/appearing in 1-year B.Ed (Special Education)
Application Fee for CTET 2026
| Category | Only Paper I or II | Both Paper I & II |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC-NCL | Rs. 1000/- | Rs. 1200/- |
| SC / ST / PwD | Rs. 500/- | Rs. 600/- |
Mode of Payment: Online (Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking)
How to Apply for CTET February 2026
Eligible candidates can apply online by following the steps below:
- Scroll down to the Important Web-Links section
- Click on Online Application Form
- A new page will open
- Enter personal and educational details carefully
- Upload photograph, signature, and required documents
- Pay the application fee as per category
- Submit the form and take a printout for future reference
Structure of CTET Examination
CTET consists of two papers, each containing 150 MCQs of 1 mark each. There is no negative marking.
CTET Paper I (Classes I to V)
| Subject | No. of MCQs | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
CTET Paper II (Classes VI to VIII)
| Subject | No. of MCQs | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics & Science | 60 | 60 |
| OR Social Studies / Social Science | 60 | 60 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Important Web-Links of CTET Notification 2026
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Online Application Form | https://examinationservices.nic.in/examsysctet/root/Home.aspx |
| Official Notification PDF | https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/uploads/2025/11/202511271744861076.pdf |
| Information Bulletin | https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/uploads/2025/11/202511271651651092.pdf |
| Previous Year Question Papers | https://ctet.nic.in/archive/ |
| Official Website | https://ctet.nic.in |
Helpline for CTET 2026
- Email: ctet.cbse@nic.in
(Candidates must mention their Registration/Application Number in all correspondence)