CTET Notification 2026

CTET Notification 2026 – Apply Online, Exam Date 6 Sept

🎓 CTET Notification 2026 (September Session) is OUT!  |  22nd Edition  |  Apply Online: 11 May – 10 June 2026  |  Exam Date: 6 September 2026  |  Official Portal: ctet.nic.in

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the CTET Notification 2026 for the September session on 11 May 2026. This is the 22nd edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) — India’s most important national-level teacher eligibility examination conducted for candidates who wish to teach in central government schools like Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS), and Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS).

The CTET September 2026 application window is open from 11 May 2026 to 10 June 2026 at the official portal ctet.nic.in. The exam will be held on 6 September 2026 (Sunday) across 132 cities in India in 27 languages — including the newly added Maithili. If you are a teaching aspirant with a D.El.Ed, B.Ed, or B.El.Ed qualification, this is your gateway to one of India’s most respected teaching careers. With the CTET certificate now valid for a lifetime, qualifying once is all you need. This complete guide covers everything — eligibility, fee, syllabus, exam pattern, and the exact step-by-step process to apply online.

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📊 CTET Notification 2026 – Overview

Exam NameCentral Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) – September 2026
Edition22nd Edition of CTET
Conducting BodyCentral Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Notification Released11 May 2026
PapersPaper I (Classes 1–5) and Paper II (Classes 6–8)
Exam ModeOffline (Pen and Paper based)
Total Questions (per paper)150 MCQs
Total Marks (per paper)150 marks (1 mark per question)
Duration (per paper)150 minutes (2.5 hours)
Negative MarkingNone
Languages Available27 languages including newly added Maithili
Exam Cities132 cities across India (city allotted randomly by CBSE)
Application Start Date11 May 2026
Application Last Date10 June 2026 (11:59 PM)
Exam Date6 September 2026 (Sunday) — may also be held 5 Sept if required
Admit Card2–3 weeks before exam (approx. mid-August 2026)
Result ExpectedEnd of October 2026
Certificate ValidityLifetime (for all categories)
Official Websitectet.nic.in
Qualifying Score60% (90/150) for General; 55% for reserved categories (as per school policy)
Exam Date
6 Sept 2026
Sunday, 132 cities
Last Date to Apply
10 June 2026
11:59 PM, ctet.nic.in
Certificate Valid
Lifetime
All categories

📅 CTET 2026 – Important Dates

EventDateStatus
Official Notification Released11 May 2026✅ Done
Online Application Opens11 May 2026✅ Open Now
Online Application Last Date10 June 2026 (11:59 PM)⏳ Apply Now
Fee Payment Last Date10 June 2026⏳ Active
Application Form Correction WindowTo be announced⏳ Awaited
Admit Card Release~Mid-August 2026 (2–3 weeks before exam)⏳ Awaited
CTET Exam Date (Paper II – Morning)6 September 2026 (Sunday)⏳ Scheduled
CTET Exam Date (Paper I – Afternoon)6 September 2026 (Sunday)⏳ Scheduled
Result DeclarationExpected end of October 2026⏳ Awaited
CTET Certificate IssueAfter result declaration⏳ Awaited
⚠️ Last Date Alert: The CTET September 2026 application closes on 10 June 2026 at 11:59 PM. CBSE server load typically peaks in the last 2–3 days. Apply by 5–7 June to avoid submission failures. No extensions are granted under any circumstances.

✅ CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria – Paper I & Paper II

CTET eligibility is defined separately for Paper I (Classes 1–5) and Paper II (Classes 6–8). Candidates must meet at least one of the qualification routes to apply. There is no upper age limit for CTET — candidates of any age above 18 can apply.

Paper I

📚 Primary Stage – Classes 1 to 5

  • Senior Secondary (12th) with ≥50% marks + 2-year D.El.Ed
  • Senior Secondary with ≥45% marks + D.El.Ed (NCTE 2002 norms)
  • Senior Secondary with ≥50% marks + 4-year B.El.Ed
  • Senior Secondary with ≥50% marks + 2-year Diploma in Special Education
  • Graduation + 2-year D.El.Ed
Paper II

📚 Upper Primary Stage – Classes 6 to 8

  • Graduation with ≥50% marks + 1-year B.Ed (recognised university)
  • Graduation with ≥45% marks + 1-year B.Ed (NCTE 2002 norms)
  • Senior Secondary with ≥50% marks + 4-year B.El.Ed
  • Senior Secondary with ≥50% marks + 4-year B.A/B.Sc.Ed or B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed
  • Graduation with ≥50% marks + 1-year B.Ed Special Education
📌 Key Notes on Eligibility: (1) Reserved category candidates (SC/ST/OBC/PwBD) are entitled to 5% relaxation in minimum qualifying marks in educational qualifications. (2) Candidates appearing in the final year of their qualifying course (D.El.Ed/B.Ed) can apply provisionally. (3) There is no upper age limit for CTET — you can appear at any age. (4) Candidates who want to teach both levels (Classes 1–8) must apply for both Paper I and Paper II.

📌 Nationality

Only Indian Citizens are eligible to apply for CTET. Foreign nationals are not permitted to appear for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test.

💳 CTET September 2026 Application Fee

CategoryOne Paper (I or II)Both Papers (I & II)
General / OBC (NCL) / EWS₹1,000₹1,200
SC / ST / Differently Abled₹500₹600
Payment Mode: Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI. Fee once paid is non-refundable.

📋 CTET 2026 Exam Pattern – Paper I & Paper II

Both CTET papers consist of 150 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for 150 marks. There is no negative marking. Each correct answer earns 1 mark. The exam is conducted in offline mode (pen and paper). Each paper has a duration of 150 minutes.

📌 CTET Paper I Exam Pattern (Classes 1–5)

SubjectQuestionsMarks
Child Development & Pedagogy3030
Language I (Compulsory)3030
Language II (Compulsory)3030
Mathematics3030
Environmental Studies (EVS)3030
Total150150
Duration: 150 minutes | Mode: Offline | No Negative Marking

📌 CTET Paper II Exam Pattern (Classes 6–8)

SubjectQuestionsMarks
Child Development & Pedagogy3030
Language I (Compulsory)3030
Language II (Compulsory)3030
Subject-Specific Area: Mathematics & Science
(For Maths/Science teachers)
OR Social Studies/Social Science
(For Social Studies teachers)
OR Any other subject (as opted)
6060
Total150150
Duration: 150 minutes | Mode: Offline | No Negative Marking

📚 CTET Syllabus 2026 – Subject-wise Topics

The CTET syllabus is based on NCERT curriculum, NCF 2005, and the Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009. Both papers share a common section — Child Development & Pedagogy (CDP) — which tests understanding of educational psychology and child learning theories. Here is the section-wise breakdown.

📌 Child Development & Pedagogy (CDP) – Both Papers (30 Q)

TopicKey Areas
Child Development (15 Q)Concept of development, principles, growth & development, child-centred education, dimensions of development (physical, cognitive, social, emotional), heredity and environment
Learning and Pedagogy (15 Q)How children think and learn, factors affecting learning, motivation, role of teacher, progressive education, Piaget, Kohlberg, Vygotsky theories, critical thinking, problem-solving, creative thinking
Special Needs (included)Inclusive education, learning disabilities, gifted and creative children, learning difficulties

📌 Language I & Language II (30 Q each) – Both Papers

Language I is the medium of instruction (the language in which the candidate prefers to teach). Language II is a different language — for communication purposes. Topics: Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, verbal ability, pedagogy of language development, teaching-learning materials for language.

📌 Paper I – Mathematics (30 Q)

Number system, Number operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), fractions and decimals, unitary method, percentages, simple geometry (shapes, angles, triangles, circles), measurement (length, weight, area, volume), data handling, and Mathematics Pedagogy (how to teach maths effectively — nature of mathematics, curriculum, teaching approaches, remedial teaching).

📌 Paper I – Environmental Studies / EVS (30 Q)

Family and friends (relationships, work, animals, plants), food, shelter, water, travel, things we make and do, and EVS Pedagogy (significance of EVS, scope, integrated approach, activities, discussion, CCE). Questions are at the Class 1–5 NCERT level.

📌 Paper II – Mathematics & Science (60 Q)

Mathematics: Number System, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics, Graphs, Probability, and Maths Pedagogy. Science: Food, Materials, The World of the Living, Moving Things (Forces & Motion), How Things Work (electricity, magnetism, light), Natural Phenomena, Natural Resources, and Science Pedagogy. Based on NCERT Classes 6–8 level.

📌 Paper II – Social Studies / Social Science (60 Q)

History (key historical events and developments), Geography (resources, agriculture, industry, human environment), Social and Political Life (government, judiciary, democracy, economy), and Social Science Pedagogy (nature and scope, critical thinking, sources, concept of time and space).

🌐 CTET 2026 – 27 Languages & 132 Exam Cities

CTET September 2026 is available in 27 languages — the most in CTET history. Maithili has been newly added this year, making the exam more accessible to candidates across Bihar and other regions. Candidates select their preferred Language I and Language II during the application process.

English
Hindi
Sanskrit
Urdu
Punjabi
Bengali
Marathi
Telugu
Tamil
Gujarati
Kannada
Malayalam
Odia
Assamese
Tibetan
Manipuri
Konkani
Kashmiri
Dogri
Nepali
Maithili 🆕
Garo
Khasi
Mizo
Bodo
Santhali
Sindhi
📌 City Allotment Policy: CBSE allots exam cities on a random basis. Candidates have no option to choose their exam city while filling the application form. No requests for city changes are entertained under any circumstances. Apply early — this ensures your application is processed without technical issues.

🎯 CTET Qualifying Marks 2026 & Certificate Validity

CategoryMinimum Qualifying MarksOut of 150
General / UR60%90 marks
SC / ST / OBC / PwBDAs per school management’s reservation policy (typically 55%)~82 marks
✅ CTET Certificate is Now Valid for LIFETIME: Following the Government of India’s 2021 directive, the CTET qualifying certificate has been made permanently valid — for all categories. There is no need to requalify. Once you clear CTET, your eligibility is valid for all KVS, NVS, EMRS, and other central school teaching recruitments for your entire career. This is a massive benefit that makes CTET one of the most future-proof exams a teacher aspirant can invest in.

📝 How to Apply for CTET September 2026 – Step-by-Step

The CTET application process is entirely online through ctet.nic.in. No offline applications are accepted. Follow each step carefully — especially the photo and signature upload specifications, as incorrect uploads are a common reason for rejection.

StepActionDetails
Step 1Visit Official WebsiteGo to ctet.nic.in. Click on “Apply for CTET September 2026”.
Step 2New RegistrationClick “New Registration”. Enter your name (as on Class 10 certificate), date of birth, mobile number, and email ID. An Application Number and Password will be generated — save these immediately.
Step 3Fill Application FormLog in with Application Number and Password. Fill personal details, educational qualifications (D.El.Ed/B.Ed/B.El.Ed), paper preference (Paper I, Paper II, or both), Language I and Language II selection.
Step 4Upload DocumentsUpload: Recent passport-size photograph in JPG/JPEG format (10–100 KB) and scanned signature in JPG/JPEG format (3–30 KB). Both must be in color and clearly legible.
Step 5Pay Application FeePay online via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. The fee amount depends on category and number of papers chosen. Note: Fee is strictly non-refundable.
Step 6Submit & DownloadReview all details carefully. Once submitted, no changes are permitted before the correction window opens. Click “Final Submission”. Download the confirmation page and keep a printed copy.
✅ Pro Tips for CTET 2026 Application: (1) Name, DOB, and mother’s/father’s name must exactly match your Class 10 certificate; (2) If you want to teach both Class 1–5 and 6–8 levels, choose “Both Papers” — it’s cheaper than applying twice; (3) Keep your D.El.Ed/B.Ed certificate or provisional certificate handy for educational detail entry; (4) CBSE allows a one-time correction window after the application period — use it to fix any mistakes; (5) Download and print the confirmation page immediately — it is your proof of application.

🎓 Apply Online at ctet.nic.in 📋 CBSE Official Website

🏫 What Can You Do After Qualifying CTET 2026?

CTET qualification is your entry ticket to the best government teaching opportunities in India. Once certified, you become eligible for the following teaching recruitment processes:

OrganizationPostCTET Paper Required
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS)Primary Teacher (PRT), Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT)Paper I (PRT), Paper II (TGT)
Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS)TGT, PRTPaper I (PRT), Paper II (TGT)
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)PRT, TGTPaper I (PRT), Paper II (TGT)
Army Public SchoolsPRT, TGTPaper I (PRT), Paper II (TGT)
Central Tibetan SchoolsPrimary and Upper Primary TeachersPaper I or II
State Governments (many)Various state-level teacher posts accepting CTET in lieu of state TETVaries by state
Private/CBSE-affiliated SchoolsTeacher recruitment at CBSE-affiliated schools often prefers CTET qualified candidatesPaper I or II
📌 KVS and NVS Recruitments Release Every Year: KVS recruits PRT and TGT teachers annually with thousands of vacancies. Having a valid CTET certificate means you are automatically eligible the moment these notifications release. The KVS PRT salary starts at ₹44,900 (Level 7) and goes up to ₹1,42,400. NVS TGT salary starts at ₹44,900 as well. This makes CTET one of the highest-ROI government exams for a teaching career.
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions – CTET Notification 2026

Q1. What is the CTET September 2026 exam date?
The CTET September 2026 exam is scheduled for 6 September 2026 (Sunday). Paper II (Classes 6–8) will be held in the morning shift and Paper I (Classes 1–5) in the afternoon shift. If the applicant count exceeds a certain threshold, CBSE may additionally conduct the exam on 5 September 2026 (Saturday). The exam will be held across 132 cities in India.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for CTET 2026?
The last date to apply for CTET September 2026 is 10 June 2026 at 11:59 PM. The application opened on 11 May 2026. Applications are accepted only through the official portal at ctet.nic.in. No offline applications or late submissions are accepted. Candidates are advised to apply well before the closing date to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Q3. What is the eligibility for CTET 2026?
For Paper I (Classes 1–5): Senior Secondary (12th pass) with 50% marks + 2-year D.El.Ed; OR 4-year B.El.Ed. For Paper II (Classes 6–8): Graduation with 50% marks + 1-year B.Ed; OR 4-year B.El.Ed. Reserved category candidates get 5% marks relaxation. There is no upper age limit for CTET. Candidates in the final year of their D.El.Ed or B.Ed can apply provisionally.
Q4. What is the CTET 2026 application fee?
The CTET September 2026 fee is: General/OBC — ₹1,000 for one paper; ₹1,200 for both. SC/ST/PwBD — ₹500 for one paper; ₹600 for both. Payment can be made via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. The fee is non-refundable once paid.
Q5. Is the CTET certificate valid for a lifetime in 2026?
Yes. As per the Government of India’s 2021 directive, the CTET qualifying certificate is valid for a lifetime for all categories. Previously valid for 7 years, the certificate is now permanent. Once you qualify CTET, you do not need to appear again — your eligibility remains valid for all future teacher recruitment processes at KVS, NVS, EMRS, and affiliated schools.
Q6. Is there negative marking in CTET September 2026?
No. CTET has no negative marking whatsoever. Each correct answer earns 1 mark. Wrong answers and unattempted questions carry 0 marks. Candidates should attempt all 150 questions in both Paper I and Paper II — there is no penalty for attempting questions.
Q7. Can I apply for both Paper I and Paper II in CTET 2026?
Yes. Candidates who want to become eligible to teach both Classes 1–5 (Primary) and Classes 6–8 (Upper Primary) can apply for both Paper I and Paper II in the same session. This is more economical — ₹1,200 for both papers versus ₹1,000 for one. Both papers are held on the same day (6 September 2026) in different shifts.
Q8. Can I choose my exam city for CTET 2026?
No. CBSE allots CTET exam cities on a strictly random basis. There is no option to select a preferred city in the application form, and no requests for city changes are entertained after allotment. The exam is conducted in 132 cities across India. Candidates are advised to prepare for any exam city when planning for travel and accommodation.
Q9. Which teaching jobs require CTET qualification?
CTET is mandatory for teaching posts in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS), Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), Army Public Schools, Central Tibetan Schools, and other central government school systems. Many state governments also accept CTET in lieu of their state TET. Private CBSE-affiliated schools increasingly prefer CTET-qualified candidates. With lifetime validity, one-time qualification opens doors across all these institutions.
Q10. How many languages is CTET 2026 conducted in?
CTET September 2026 is conducted in 27 languages — the highest ever. Maithili has been newly added this year. The available languages include English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, Bengali, Assamese, Odia, Garo, Khasi, Mizo, Bodo, Manipuri, and 15 other regional languages. Candidates from Assam should note that Assamese is available as a language option, making this exam highly accessible for North East India aspirants.

✅ Conclusion – CTET Notification 2026: Why You Must Apply

If you have a D.El.Ed or B.Ed qualification and dream of teaching in a central government school — the CTET September 2026 is your must-take exam this year. The application window is open right now, from 11 May to 10 June 2026, and with no negative marking and lifetime certificate validity, there is very little reason not to apply. Whether you are targeting KVS, NVS, EMRS, or Army Schools — one CTET qualification is your master key to all of them.

The 22nd edition of CTET is being conducted in 27 languages across 132 cities — the most accessible it has ever been. Visit ctet.nic.in, complete your registration before 10 June 2026, and begin your exam preparation with NCERT textbooks and previous year question papers. The exam is on 6 September 2026 — you have 4 months to prepare.

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Disclaimer: The CTET Notification 2026 details on this page are sourced from the official CBSE notification released on 11 May 2026 at ctet.nic.in and publicly available information as of 11 May 2026. Exam dates, eligibility criteria, and fee structure are as per the official information bulletin. Always verify all details directly from the official CTET website before applying. JobSecure.in is not affiliated with CBSE, the Ministry of Education, or any government body. All information is sourced from publicly available official notifications.