CTET 2026 Notification — Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus & Apply Online
CTET 2026 Central Teacher Eligibility Test notification by CBSE. Check expected exam dates, eligibility, syllabus and how to apply online.
Official Links
What is CTET 2026?
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) as per the guidelines of the NCTE (National Council for Teacher Education). CTET is a mandatory eligibility test for candidates seeking teaching positions in central government schools like KVS (Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan), NVS (Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti), and other schools under the central government. The CTET certificate is valid for lifetime (since 2021 amendment).
Important Dates
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | March 2026 (Expected) |
| Online Application Start | March 2026 (Expected) |
| Last Date to Apply | April 2026 (Expected) |
| Admit Card | June 2026 (Expected) |
| Exam Date | July 2026 (Expected) |
| Result | August–September 2026 (Expected) |
Note: CBSE typically conducts CTET twice a year (July and December). These dates are tentative.
About CTET Papers
CTET has two papers:
- Paper-I: For candidates who want to teach Classes 1–5 (Primary Stage)
- Paper-II: For candidates who want to teach Classes 6–8 (Upper Primary Stage)
Candidates can appear for both papers in a single sitting.
Eligibility Criteria
Paper-I (Classes 1–5)
- Senior Secondary (12th) with at least 50% marks AND 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) — OR
- Senior Secondary (12th) with at least 50% marks AND 4-year B.El.Ed — OR
- Senior Secondary (12th) with at least 50% marks AND 2-year D.Ed (Special Education) — OR
- Bachelor's degree with 2-year D.El.Ed (under NCTE norms)
Paper-II (Classes 6–8)
- Bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks AND 1-year B.Ed — OR
- Bachelor's degree with at least 45% marks AND B.Ed (as per NCTE 2002 norms) — OR
- Senior Secondary (12th) with at least 50% marks AND 4-year B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed — OR
- Bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks AND 1-year B.Ed (Special Education)
Final year students of B.Ed or equivalent are also eligible.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee (Expected) |
|---|---|
| General / OBC (One Paper) | ₹1,000 |
| General / OBC (Both Papers) | ₹1,200 |
| SC / ST / PwD (One Paper) | ₹500 |
| SC / ST / PwD (Both Papers) | ₹600 |
How to Apply Online
- Visit ctet.nic.in
- Click "Apply Online" for CTET 2026
- Register with personal details, email, and mobile number
- Fill the application form with educational and personal details
- Select Paper-I, Paper-II, or Both
- Choose your exam city preferences
- Upload photograph and signature
- Pay the fee and submit
Exam Pattern
Paper-I (Classes 1–5)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I (compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Language II (compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Paper-II (Classes 6–8)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I (compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Language II (compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
- Duration: 2.5 hours per paper
- No negative marking
- Qualifying marks: 60% (90/150) for General, 55% for OBC/SC/ST
Syllabus (Brief Overview)
Child Development & Pedagogy: Child development stages, learning theories, Piaget/Vygotsky/Kohlberg, inclusive education, assessment & evaluation, NCF 2005.
Language I & II: Comprehension, grammar, language pedagogy, teaching methods, literature-based questions. Language I is the medium of instruction; Language II can be any scheduled language.
Mathematics (Paper-I): Geometry, Shapes, Numbers, Addition/Subtraction/Multiplication/Division, Measurement, Money, Patterns, Data Handling + Pedagogical Issues.
EVS (Paper-I): Family & Friends, Food, Shelter, Water, Travel, Things We Make & Do + Environmental Pedagogy.
Mathematics & Science (Paper-II): Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics, Number System + Physics, Chemistry, Biology basics + Pedagogical approaches.
Social Studies (Paper-II): History, Geography, Civics, Economics + Social Science Pedagogy.
Preparation Tips
- Focus on Child Development & Pedagogy — This section is common and scoring. Study NCF 2005, RTE Act, and developmental psychology.
- No negative marking = attempt everything — There's no penalty, so never leave questions unanswered.
- Practice language pedagogy — Don't just study grammar; focus on teaching methods and comprehension-based questions.
- Use NCERT books (Class 1–8) — Content questions are directly based on NCERT curriculum.
- Take previous year papers — CTET repeats themes; solving 5+ years of papers builds confidence.
FAQs
Q: Is CTET valid for life?
A: Yes, since 2021, the CTET certificate is valid for lifetime. Earlier it was valid for 7 years. There is no limit on attempts to improve your score.
Q: Does CTET guarantee a teaching job?
A: No, CTET is an eligibility test, not a recruitment exam. You still need to apply separately for teaching vacancies in KVS, NVS, DSSSB, state government schools, etc. CTET qualification is mandatory for these recruitments.
Q: Can I appear for both Paper-I and Paper-II?
A: Yes, you can appear for both papers. They are conducted in separate sessions (morning and afternoon) on the same day.
Q: What is the qualifying percentage in CTET?
A: General category candidates need 60% (90 out of 150), while SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates need 55% (82.5, rounded to 83 out of 150).
Q: Is CTET accepted in private schools?
A: CTET is mandatory for central government schools. Many state governments and private schools also recognize CTET, but acceptance varies. Some states have their own TET exams.
Q: Can I change my subject in Paper-II later?
A: The subject (Maths & Science OR Social Studies) chosen during application determines your Paper-II. You cannot change it after submission. Choose based on the type of teaching position you want.