CTET 2026 Exam: Date, Eligibility & Pattern
CTET 2026 (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) is a national-level examination conducted by CBSE for candidates who wish to become teachers for Classes I to VIII in India. The exam has two papers: Paper 1 is meant for teaching Classes I to V, while Paper 2 is for teaching Classes VI to VIII. Each paper includes 150 multiple-choice questions covering areas such as Child Development and Pedagogy, language skills, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, and Social Studies or Science based on the paper chosen. The exam is held offline, each paper lasts for 2.5 hours, and there is no negative marking for incorrect responses. Candidates can choose to appear for either one or both papers depending on their teaching goals.
What Is CTET?
CTET is a national-level eligibility exam that assesses your understanding of child development, teaching techniques, classroom management, language abilities, and subject knowledge. Clearing CTET does not ensure a teaching job, but it qualifies you to apply for positions in:
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS)
Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS)
Army Public Schools
State government schools, depending on their policies
Private schools that consider CTET scores
For students aiming to build a secure and respected career in the teaching field, CTET is the first major milestone.
CTET 2026 Exam Dates
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026 is officially scheduled to take place on 8th February 2026, Sunday. The exam will be conducted offline (pen-and-paper) at multiple centers across 132 cities in India. Both Paper 1, for teaching Classes I-V, and Paper 2, for teaching Classes VI-VIII, will be held on the same day in two separate shifts. Paper 2 will be conducted in the morning from approximately 9:30 AM to 12:00 Noon, while Paper 1 will take place in the afternoon from around 2:00 PM to 4:30 or 5:00 PM.
The official online registration for CTET 2026 is expected to open soon on the official website ctet.nic.in. Detailed notifications regarding the application process, admit card release, and other exam-related updates will be available on the website.
Candidates preparing for CTET 2026 should regularly check the official CTET portal for registration start dates and other important announcements to ensure timely application and proper preparation for the exam.
CTET 2026 Aplication Form
The CTET 2026 application form is likely to be released in the fourth week of November 2025 on the official CTET website (ctet.nic.in). Candidates who wish to appear for CTET 2026 must register online by visiting the official website and selecting the "Apply Online" or "New Candidate Registration" option. The application process requires candidates to provide personal and educational details, upload a recent passport-sized photograph and scanned signature in JPEG format, and pay the application fee.
The application fee for CTET 2026 is expected to be around Rs 1,000 for a single paper and Rs 1,200 for both papers, payable through online methods such as credit/debit cards, net banking, or UPI. After completing the submission and payment, candidates should download and save the confirmation page for future reference. It is important to fill out the form accurately and submit it before the deadline, which will be mentioned in the official notification.
Required documents include educational certificates, a category certificate if applicable, and a valid photo ID proof such as Aadhaar or PAN Card. Forms for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 will be released on the same day, allowing candidates to choose one or both papers according to their eligibility and preference. The official notification and detailed application guidelines will be available on the CTET website to assist candidates throughout the registration process.
Eligibility Criteria for CTET 2026
The eligibility requirements vary based on whether you are applying for Paper 1 (Primary Teacher) or Paper 2 (Upper Primary Teacher).
For Paper 1 (Classes 1 to 5)
You must fulfill any one of the following conditions:
Completed or currently enrolled in D.El.Ed (Diploma in Elementary Education)
Completed B.El.Ed (Bachelor of Elementary Education)
Passed Class 12 with a minimum of 50% marks along with a teacher training course approved by NCTE
For Paper 2 (Classes 6 to 8)
You should meet one of these criteria:
Graduation along with B.Ed
Graduation with at least 50% marks along with a 1-year B.Ed
Passed Class 12 with at least 50% marks along with a 4-year B.El.Ed
There is no age limit for the CTET exam, which allows both recent school graduates and working professionals to apply.
CTET 2026 Cut off
The CTET 2026 cutoff marks, which indicate the minimum scores required to pass the exam, are set at 60% for candidates in the General category and 55% for candidates in reserved categories such as SC, ST, OBC, and PwD. This means that General category candidates must score at least 90 out of 150, while candidates in reserved categories must score a minimum of 82 out of 150. These qualifying marks are applicable to both Paper 1, for teachers of Classes I-V, and Paper 2, for teachers of Classes VI-VIII.
CTET does not have negative marking, so candidates are encouraged to attempt all questions to maximize their scores. The cutoff marks are determined according to the guidelines of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) and generally remain consistent each year. However, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) may make slight adjustments depending on the difficulty of the exam and overall candidate performance.
Qualifying CTET 2026 allows candidates to be eligible for teaching positions in government and private schools across India. Additionally, the CTET certificate is valid for a lifetime.
In summary:
General category cutoff: 90/150 (60%)
Reserved categories cutoff: 82/150 (55%)
Applicable to both Paper 1 and Paper 2
No negative marking
Cutoff may be adjusted slightly but usually follows NCTE guidelines
Essential qualification for many teaching jobs, representing an important step for aspiring teachers in tier-1 Indian cities and beyond
CTET 2026 Exam Pattern
The CTET exam consists of two papers:
| Paper | For Classes | Total Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 1–5 | 150 | 150 | 2.5 hours |
| Paper 2 | 6–8 | 150 | 150 | 2.5 hours |
Both papers include objective-type multiple-choice questions and there is no negative marking.
Paper 1 Sections
Child Development and Pedagogy
Language I
Language II
Mathematics
Environmental Studies
Paper 2 Sections
Child Development and Pedagogy
Language I
Language II
Mathematics and Science or Social Studies
The CTET exam emphasizes conceptual understanding and teaching skills rather than rote memorization.
CTET 2026 Syllabus
1. Child Development and Pedagogy (CDP)
This is the central section of CTET. It assesses:
How children learn
Inclusive education
Learning difficulties
Classroom management
Teaching methods
CDP is often seen as the most crucial section because its questions can be challenging.
2. Languages (I and II)
Candidates need to select two languages from the CTET language list. The questions cover:
Grammar
Comprehension
Language pedagogy
3. Mathematics and Environmental Studies (Paper 1)
This section emphasizes:
Basic math concepts
Logical reasoning
Application-based questions
EVS topics such as family, food, environment, and travel
4. Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies (Paper 2)
Mathematics and Science questions are based on NCERT concepts for Classes 6 to 8.
Social Studies includes history, geography, civics, and their teaching methods.
Career Opportunities After Clearing CTET
After qualifying CTET, you can pursue the following opportunities:
1. Government Teaching Jobs
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS)
Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS)
Central Tibetan Schools
State-government-aided schools (subject to state rules)
2. Private School Jobs
Many reputed private schools give preference to candidates who have cleared CTET.
3. Coaching and EdTech Jobs
With the growing demand for teaching skills, CTET qualifiers can explore roles such as:
Online tutor
Content creator
Question-paper setter
Academic coordinator
4. Preparation for Future Exams
The CTET syllabus helps build a strong foundation for other exams like:
DSSSB
KVS PRT/TGT
NVS teaching positions
State TETs
Army School recruitment.
CTET 2026 Admit Card
The CTET 2026 admit card is expected to be released around two days before the exam, which is scheduled for 8th February 2026. Candidates will be able to download their admit cards online from the official CTET website, ctet.nic.in. Prior to the release of the main admit card, a pre-admit card or exam city allotment slip is likely to be issued approximately 10 days before the exam to inform candidates of their designated exam city. The admit card will include important information such as the exam date, reporting time, exam center name, and address.
It is mandatory for candidates to carry the admit card along with a valid photo ID to the exam center. To download the admit card, candidates must log in using their application number and date of birth.
CTET FAQs
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a national-level exam conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in India to certify candidates for teaching positions in classes I to VIII in government and private schools. It has two papers: Paper I for teaching classes I–V and Paper II for teaching classes VI–VIII. Eligibility requires candidates to have completed Senior Secondary (12th) with at least 50% marks along with a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) or equivalent for Paper I, and for Paper II, a Bachelor’s degree with B.Ed or equivalent is required. CTET qualifies candidates for teaching jobs but does not guarantee direct employment.
Yes, scoring 82 marks in the CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) generally qualifies as a clear pass. The qualifying marks for CTET are 60% for general category candidates (90 out of 150), and 55% for reserved categories. Since 82 out of 150 is well above 60%, it comfortably exceeds the required cutoff, meaning the candidate is considered CTET qualified.
The CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) itself does not offer a salary, as it is an eligibility exam for teaching positions in central and state government schools in India. However, qualifying CTET is often a prerequisite for recruitment as a teacher under pay levels set by the 7th Pay Commission. Typically, a primary teacher (Class I-V) earns around ₹28,900–₹33,500 per month, and an upper primary teacher (Class VI-VIII) earns about ₹35,400–₹39,100 per month, depending on the government school and location. Additional allowances like DA, HRA, and TA may also apply.
Yes, clearing the CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) makes you eligible for teaching positions in central government schools like Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and other government-aided schools. While CTET is a mandatory eligibility criterion for becoming a teacher, it does not guarantee a job—you still need to apply for vacancies and go through the recruitment process conducted by the respective schools or state governments. Additionally, some state-level teacher recruitment exams also consider CTET qualification as a merit factor. Essentially, CTET opens the door for government teaching jobs but is not a direct appointment.
For CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test), there is no single “best” degree, as eligibility depends on the level you wish to teach. For Primary Level (Classes I–V), a Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks along with a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed/B.Ed in Elementary Education) is ideal. For Elementary Level (Classes VI–VIII), a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least 50% marks plus a 2-year B.Ed is preferred. Degrees in Education, Arts, Science, or Commerce are commonly pursued, but the key is meeting the CTET’s educational and teacher training requirements rather than the specific field.