CTET Sep 2026 Notification — CTET

What is CTET Sep 2026?

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a national-level examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on behalf of the Central Government. Its primary purpose is to determine a candidate's eligibility for appointment as a teacher for Classes I to VIII in schools across India. This particular notification pertains to the CTET September 2026 examination cycle.

Qualifying the CTET is a mandatory requirement for individuals aspiring to teach in Central Government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS), and schools under the administrative control of Union Territories (UTs). Many state governments and private schools also consider CTET qualification for their teacher recruitment processes. The exam is structured into two papers: Paper I for candidates intending to teach Classes I to V, and Paper II for those aspiring to teach Classes VI to VIII. Candidates can choose to appear for either one or both papers based on their educational qualifications and teaching aspirations.

The CTET qualification is significant as it grants a lifetime validity, meaning once a candidate qualifies, they remain eligible to apply for teaching positions without needing to re-appear for the test. This examination ensures a benchmark of quality and standards for teachers, contributing to the overall improvement of education in the country.

Important Dates

Candidates interested in applying for the CTET Sep 2026 examination should note the following crucial dates:

• Notification Date: 2026-05-11
• Application Start Date: Shortly after notification (expected around 2026-05-11)
• Last Date to Apply Online: 2026-06-10
• Last Date for Fee Payment: 2026-06-10
• Admit Card Release Date: TBA — Expected 2-3 weeks before the exam date (mid-August 2026 approx.). Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website ctet.nic.in for updates.
• Examination Date: 2026-09-06
• Result Declaration Date: 2026-10-31

Vacancy Details

It is important for candidates to understand that the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is an eligibility examination and not a direct recruitment drive for specific teaching vacancies. Therefore, the official notification for CTET Sep 2026 does not specify any number of vacancies.

Candidates who successfully qualify the CTET become eligible to apply for various teaching posts (Primary Teacher, Trained Graduate Teacher, etc.) that are subsequently announced by different central government schools (like KVS, NVS, Eklavya Model Residential Schools), state government schools, and private educational institutions. The actual number of teaching vacancies will be specified in the individual recruitment notifications released by these respective organizations.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the CTET Sep 2026 examination, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Nationality

• Candidates must be citizens of India.

Age Limit

• There is no upper age limit for applying to the CTET examination. Any person who meets the educational qualifications as prescribed by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) can apply.

Educational Qualification

The minimum educational qualifications for appearing in the CTET Sep 2026 examination are as notified by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) for teaching Classes I to VIII. Candidates must possess the following qualifications for Paper I (for Classes I-V) or Paper II (for Classes VI-VIII):

For Paper I (Primary Stage - Classes I-V):

• Senior Secondary (or its 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.). OR
• Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.), in accordance with the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure), Regulations, 2002. OR
• Senior Secondary (or its 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.). OR
• Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.). (Note: Candidates with B.Ed. qualification for primary teaching must undergo a 6-month Bridge Course in Elementary Education recognized by NCTE, within two years of appointment as a primary teacher). OR
• Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.).

For Paper II (Elementary Stage - Classes VI-VIII):

• Graduation and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.). OR
• Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 1-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed.). OR
• 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 the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure) Regulations issued from time to time in this regard. OR
• Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor in Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.). OR
• Senior Secondary (or its 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. OR
• Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in 1-year B.Ed. (Special Education).

Candidates are strongly advised to refer to the detailed Information Bulletin for CTET Sep 2026 on the official website ctet.nic.in for the precise and complete eligibility criteria before applying.

Application Fee

The application fee for CTET Sep 2026 is as follows:

• General / EWS / OBC: ₹1200
• SC / ST / PwD: ₹600

Note: The fee structure provided is for either one paper or both papers combined. Typically, CTET offers separate fee options for appearing in only one paper versus both papers. Candidates should verify the exact fee breakdown for single paper vs. both papers in the official Information Bulletin available on ctet.nic.in.

Payment Mode: The application fee must be paid online through Net Banking, Credit Card, or Debit Card.

Fee structure is subject to change — verify in the official notification.

Selection Process

The selection process for CTET Sep 2026 is straightforward and consists solely of a Written Examination. CTET is an eligibility test, not a recruitment examination, so there are no further stages like interviews, document verification (beyond the initial application stage), or medical examinations conducted by CTET itself.

1. Written Examination:
   • The examination comprises two papers: Paper I (for Classes I-V) and Paper II (for Classes VI-VIII).
   • Both papers consist of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
   • Each paper is of 150 marks, with 150 questions, and candidates are allotted 2.5 hours (150 minutes) for each paper.
   • There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
   • Qualifying Marks: A candidate scoring 60% or more in the CTET examination will be considered CTET qualified. For reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD), there is a relaxation of 5% in the qualifying marks, meaning they need to score 55% or more.

Exam Structure:

• Paper I (for Classes I-V):
  • Child Development and Pedagogy (30 MCQs)
  • Language I (30 MCQs)
  • Language II (30 MCQs)
  • Mathematics (30 MCQs)
  • Environmental Studies (30 MCQs)
• Paper II (for Classes VI-VIII):
  • Child Development and Pedagogy (30 MCQs)
  • Language I (30 MCQs)
  • Language II (30 MCQs)
  • Mathematics and Science (60 MCQs) OR Social Studies/Social Science (60 MCQs) (Candidates choose one based on their graduation subject)

Upon successful qualification, candidates receive a CTET eligibility certificate, which is valid for a lifetime. This certificate makes them eligible to apply for teaching positions in various schools.

Salary and Pay Scale

As CTET is an eligibility test and not a direct recruitment examination, there is no specific salary or pay scale associated with qualifying the CTET itself. The salary and pay scale will depend entirely on the recruiting organization (e.g., KVS, NVS, State Government schools, private schools) and the specific teaching post (e.g., Primary Teacher, Trained Graduate Teacher, Post Graduate Teacher) for which a candidate is eventually selected.

However, to provide an approximate idea, for entry-level teachers in central government schools (like KVS/NVS) under the 7th Pay Commission, the expected pay scales are generally as follows:

• Primary Teacher (PRT): Expected Pay Level 6 (₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 approx.)
• Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT): Expected Pay Level 7 (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 approx.)
• Post Graduate Teacher (PGT): Expected Pay Level 8 (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 approx.)

These figures represent the basic pay and do not include various allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance (TA), etc., which would further increase the gross salary. Candidates should verify the exact pay scale and allowances in the specific recruitment notifications released by the respective employing bodies.

How to Apply Online

Candidates interested in applying for the CTET Sep 2026 examination should follow these steps carefully:

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the official CTET website at ctet.nic.in.
2. Locate the Application Link: On the homepage, look for the link related to "Apply for CTET Sep 2026" or "Online Application Form for CTET Sep 2026".
3. Read the Information Bulletin: Before proceeding, download and thoroughly read the detailed Information Bulletin for CTET Sep 2026. This document contains all crucial information regarding eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, and application instructions.
4. New Registration: Click on the "New Registration" or "Apply Online" link. You will need to provide basic details like your name, father's name, mother's name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID to register. A provisional application number/registration ID and password will be generated.
5. Fill the Application Form: Log in using your registration ID and password. Fill in the detailed application form with accurate personal information, educational qualifications, choice of exam centers, and preferred languages for the exam.
6. Upload Documents: Upload scanned images of your recent passport-sized photograph and signature as per the specifications (size and format) mentioned in the Information Bulletin.
7. Pay Application Fee: Proceed to pay the application fee online using a Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking. Ensure the transaction is successful.
8. Review and Submit: Carefully review all the details entered in the application form before final submission. Make any necessary corrections.
9. Print Confirmation Page: After successful submission and fee payment, a confirmation page will be generated. Download and print this confirmation page for your records. It is advisable to keep multiple copies.

Documents Required

When applying online for CTET Sep 2026, candidates will need to have the following documents ready, primarily for uploading scanned images and for reference while filling the form:

• Scanned Photograph: A recent passport-sized photograph with specific dimensions and file size as prescribed in the official notification.
• Scanned Signature: Your signature with specific dimensions and file size as prescribed.
• Class 10th Certificate: For verification of Date of Birth.
• Educational Qualification Certificates/Mark Sheets:
  • Senior Secondary (10+2) Mark Sheet and Certificate.
  • Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.) / Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) / Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.) Mark Sheets and Certificates (or proof of appearing in the final year).
  • Graduation Degree and Mark Sheets (if applicable for Paper II).
• Caste Certificate: (SC/ST/OBC) issued by a competent authority, if applying under a reserved category.
• Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Certificate: If applicable.
• Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Certificate: Issued by a competent authority, if applicable.
• Valid Photo ID Proof: Such as Aadhar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving License.

Ensure all documents are in the prescribed format and size before attempting to upload them.

FAQs

Q1. What is the last date to apply for CTET Sep 2026? A1. The last date to apply online for CTET Sep 2026 is 2026-06-10.

Q2. How many vacancies are there in CTET Sep 2026? A2. CTET is an eligibility test, not a recruitment drive for specific posts. Therefore, no specific vacancies are announced in the CTET Sep 2026 notification. Candidates who qualify become eligible to apply for teaching vacancies released by various schools and organizations.

Q3. What is the educational qualification required for CTET Sep 2026? A3. The minimum educational qualifications are as notified by NCTE for teaching Classes I to VIII. Generally, this includes Senior Secondary with a 2-year D.El.Ed. or 4-year B.El.Ed. for Paper I, and Graduation with a 2-year D.El.Ed. or 1-year B.Ed. for Paper II. Detailed qualifications are available in the official notification.

Q4. What is the application fee for CTET Sep 2026? A4. The application fee for CTET Sep 2026 is ₹1200 for General/EWS/OBC categories and ₹600 for SC/ST/PwD categories. Candidates should check the official notification for specific fees for appearing in one paper versus both papers.

Q5. Is there any age relaxation for CTET Sep 2026? A5. No, there is no upper age limit for applying to the CTET examination. Any candidate meeting the educational qualifications can apply.

Q6. How will the selection be done for CTET Sep 2026? A6. The selection process for CTET Sep 2026 is based solely on a Written Examination (Paper I and/or Paper II). Candidates who score 60% (or 55% for reserved categories) or more in the examination are declared CTET qualified and receive an eligibility certificate. There are no further stages like interviews or medical exams conducted by CTET.