Overview & Official Announcement
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) under guidelines established by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). As mandated under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, passing the CTET is an essential minimum qualification for teaching Classes I through VIII in central government and affiliated schools across India.
CTET qualification is required for recruitment in major bodies such as Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), and Union Territory schools including Delhi (DSSSB), Chandigarh, and Lakshadweep. CBSE-affiliated private schools also prioritize CTET-qualified candidates in line with the National Education Policy (NEP).
Official Standard: The CTET establishes national benchmarks for teacher quality, ensuring educators possess necessary pedagogical competence, subject mastery, and child development understanding.
Important Dates & Official Timetable
Candidates preparing for CTET 2026 should monitor the official portal at ctet.nic.in for schedule updates. All application processes, fee payments, and admit card downloads occur online.
| Event | Official Schedule / Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Official Notification & Information Bulletin | To be announced at ctet.nic.in | Tentative |
| Online Application Process Commencement | To be announced at ctet.nic.in | Tentative |
| Last Date for Online Application Submission | To be announced at ctet.nic.in | Tentative |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | To be announced at ctet.nic.in | Tentative |
| Application Correction Window | To be announced at ctet.nic.in | Tentative |
| Admit Card Release | First week of Examination Month | Tentative |
| CTET 2026 Examination Date | To be notified by CBSE | Tentative |
Eligibility Criteria & Reservation Rules
Eligibility for CTET 2026 follows NCTE standards and depends on whether candidates apply for the Primary Stage (Classes I–V) or Elementary Stage (Classes VI–VIII).
1. Paper I Eligibility (Classes I to V: Primary Stage)
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of 2-year D.El.Ed / D.Ed, OR
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of 2-year D.El.Ed under NCTE Regulations, OR
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of 4-year B.El.Ed, OR
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education), OR
- Graduation with recognized professional teacher training qualifications permissible under revised NCTE rules.
2. Paper II Eligibility (Classes VI to VIII: Elementary Stage)
- Graduation and passed or appearing in the final year of 2-year D.El.Ed, OR
- Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in 1-year or 2-year B.Ed program, OR
- Graduation with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in 1-year or 2-year B.Ed under NCTE Regulations, OR
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in final year of 4-year B.El.Ed, OR
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in final year of 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).
3. Age Limit & Category Relaxation
There is no upper age limit for CTET 2026. A 5% relaxation in minimum educational qualifying marks is granted to candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC-NCL, and PwD categories per central government guidelines.
Step-by-Step Application Procedure
- Portal Access: Visit ctet.nic.in and click on 'Apply for CTET 2026'. Select 'New Registration'.
- Personal Details: Enter candidate name, parents' names, date of birth, gender, state of domicile, ID type, email, and mobile number.
- Credentials Generation: Note down the system-generated Application Number and create a password (8-13 characters with uppercase, lowercase, numeric, and special character).
- Academic & Exam Selection: Log in to select Paper I, Paper II, or Both Papers. Enter academic qualifications, teacher training status, and exam city preferences.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned photo and signature adhering to technical guidelines.
- Payment & Confirmation: Pay the exam fee via Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking. Save the automatically generated Confirmation Page.
Mandatory Documents & Specifications
- Photograph: JPG/JPEG format, file size between 10 KB and 100 KB, dimensions 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm (light/white background).
- Signature: JPG/JPEG format, file size between 3 KB and 30 KB, dimensions 3.5 cm x 1.5 cm on plain white paper with blue/black ink.
- ID Proof: Government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence, or PAN Card).
- Academic Certificates: Class 10 mark sheet (DOB proof), Class 12 mark sheet, Graduation degree, and Teacher Training mark sheets/certificates.
- Category Certificate: SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD certificates issued by competent authority (if applicable).
Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
CTET evaluates candidates using multiple-choice questions across two papers.
1. Paper I Pattern (Classes I to V)
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 MCQs | 30 Marks |
| Language I (Compulsory) | 30 MCQs | 30 Marks |
| Language II (Compulsory) | 30 MCQs | 30 Marks |
| Mathematics | 30 MCQs | 30 Marks |
| Environmental Studies | 30 MCQs | 30 Marks |
| Total | 150 MCQs | 150 Marks |
2. Paper II Pattern (Classes VI to VIII)
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 MCQs | 30 Marks |
| Language I (Compulsory) | 30 MCQs | 30 Marks |
| Language II (Compulsory) | 30 MCQs | 30 Marks |
| Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies/Social Science | 60 MCQs | 60 Marks |
| Total | 150 MCQs | 150 Marks |
3. Marking Scheme & Passing Cutoffs
- Format: Objective MCQs with 1 mark per correct answer.
- Negative Marking: There is NO negative marking.
- Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes) per paper.
- General Cutoff: 60% (90 out of 150 marks).
- Reserved Cutoff: 55% (82.5 out of 150 marks) for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates.
- Validity: CTET certificate is valid for a lifetime.
Candidate Instructions & Guidelines
- Confirmation Page: Always confirm that the Confirmation Page is generated post-payment; otherwise, the form is incomplete.
- Data Accuracy: Ensure all names and details exactly match Class 10 board certificates.
- Prohibited Items: Mobile phones, electronic gadgets, calculators, geometry boxes, and bags are prohibited inside the exam center.
- Reporting Time: Arrive at the examination center at least 120 minutes before start time for security screening and biometric checks.
- Support Contact: Email ctet.cbse@nic.in or visit ctet.nic.in for official technical support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is CTET qualification mandatory for private school teachers?
Yes. Under RTE Act guidelines framed by NCTE, CTET or State TET qualification is mandatory for teaching primary and elementary classes in CBSE-affiliated private schools.
2. Can I apply for both Paper I and Paper II together?
Yes. Candidates meeting eligibility for both stages can select 'Both Papers' in a single online application form by paying the combined fee.
3. Is there negative marking in CTET 2026?
No, CTET 2026 has no negative marking for incorrect or unattempted questions.
4. How long is the CTET passing certificate valid?
The CTET certificate remains valid for a lifetime from the date of issue.
5. What are the minimum qualifying marks for CTET?
General candidates require 60% (90/150 marks). Reserved category candidates (SC/ST/OBC/PwD) require 55% (82.5/150 marks).