CTET September 2026 official notification released by Central Board of Secondary Education. Check CTET 2026 exam date, eligibility, syllabus, application form, fees, paper pattern, qualifying marks, admit card details and preparation tips for teaching aspirants.
The Central Board of Secondary Education has officially released the notification for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) September 2026 examination. CTET is one of the most important national-level teaching eligibility exams in India for candidates aspiring to become teachers in Classes I to VIII in government and private schools.
Every year, lakhs of candidates appear for CTET to secure eligibility for teaching jobs in schools affiliated with the Central Government, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and several CBSE-affiliated institutions. The CTET certificate is now valid for a lifetime, making this examination highly significant for teaching aspirants.
According to the official notification, the CTET September 2026 examination will be conducted on 6 September 2026.
CTET 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Online Application Starts | 11 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 10 June 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 10 June 2026 |
| CTET Exam Date | 06 September 2026 |
| Possible Additional Exam Date | 05 September 2026 |
The official notification states that if the number of applicants increases significantly, the examination may also be conducted on 5 September 2026.
What is CTET?
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is conducted by Central Board of Secondary Education under the guidelines of the National Council for Teacher Education and the Right to Education (RTE) Act.
The primary objective of CTET is to maintain national standards and improve the quality of teachers in India. The exam acts as a benchmark for teacher recruitment in primary and upper primary schools.
CTET 2026 Application Process
Candidates can apply online through the official CTET portal. The application process includes:
- Registration on the official website
- Filling the online application form
- Uploading photograph and signature
- Payment of examination fee
- Downloading the confirmation page
The notification clearly states that candidates must submit only one application form. Multiple applications may lead to cancellation of candidature.
CTET 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Only Paper I or II | Both Paper I & II |
| General/OBC (NCL) | ₹1000 | ₹1200 |
| SC/ST/PwD | ₹500 | ₹600 |
GST charges will be applicable separately by the bank.
CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The minimum educational qualifications for CTET are prescribed by the National Council for Teacher Education. Candidates are advised to verify their eligibility before applying.
The notification also mentions a relaxation of up to 5% in qualifying marks for reserved categories such as SC, ST, OBC, and differently-abled candidates.
CTET 2026 Exam Pattern
CTET consists of two papers:
| Paper | For Teaching Classes |
| Paper I | Classes I to V |
| Paper II | Classes VI to VIII |
Candidates who wish to teach both levels must appear for both papers.
CTET Paper I Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
Total Questions: 150
Total Marks: 150
CTET Paper II Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics & Science OR Social Science | 60 | 60 |
Total Questions: 150
Total Marks: 150
CTET 2026 Marking Scheme
The CTET examination will contain Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). Each question carries one mark and there is no negative marking.
This makes CTET a scoring examination for well-prepared candidates.
CTET 2026 Languages Available
Candidates must choose two different languages for Language I and Language II. The examination offers several regional and national languages including:
- English
- Hindi
- Sanskrit
- Urdu
- Punjabi
- Bengali
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Marathi
- Gujarati
- Kannada
- Assamese
- Odia
- Nepali
- Kashmiri
- Dogri
- Konkani
- Maithili
- Santhali
- Bodo
CTET 2026 Qualifying Marks
As per official guidelines, candidates securing 60% or more marks will be considered CTET qualified.
However, school managements may provide concessions to reserved category candidates according to government reservation policies.
Validity of CTET Certificate
One of the biggest advantages for aspirants is that the CTET certificate is valid for a lifetime. There is also no restriction on the number of attempts. Candidates can reappear to improve their scores.
CTET 2026 Admit Card and Exam Day Instructions
Candidates will be able to download the e-admit card from the official CTET website before the examination.
Important instructions mentioned in the notification include:
- Reach the examination centre at least 120 minutes before the exam
- Carry a valid admit card
- Use only blue or black ballpoint pen
- Mobile phones, smart watches, calculators and electronic devices are strictly prohibited
- No candidate will be allowed after the commencement of the exam
CTET 2026 Syllabus Highlights
The CTET syllabus is based on NCERT curriculum standards.
Major Subjects in CTET Paper I
- Child Development & Pedagogy
- Mathematics
- Environmental Studies
- Language I
- Language II
Major Subjects in CTET Paper II
- Child Development & Pedagogy
- Mathematics and Science
- Social Science
- Language I
- Language II
Important topics include: - Inclusive Education
- Learning Theories
- Pedagogy
- Child Psychology
- Teaching Methodologies
- Classroom Management
- Assessment and Evaluation
Important Advice for CTET Aspirants
To crack CTET 2026 successfully, candidates should:
- Study NCERT textbooks thoroughly
- Focus on pedagogy and child development concepts
- Practice previous year question papers
- Attempt mock tests regularly
- Improve time management skills
- Revise language comprehension daily
Since there is no negative marking, candidates should attempt all questions carefully.
Conclusion
The CTET September 2026 notification has brought an excellent opportunity for candidates aspiring to build a career in the teaching sector. With lifetime validity, no negative marking, and growing demand for qualified teachers, CTET remains one of the most important eligibility examinations in India.
Candidates are advised to complete their applications before the deadline and begin structured preparation immediately. Consistent practice, strong conceptual understanding, and smart revision strategies can help aspirants qualify the examination with a high score.
For latest updates, candidates should regularly visit the official CTET portal and keep checking important announcements related to admit cards, answer keys, and results.
Also Read: ICAI CA Exam 2026 (September–November Cycle): Complete Schedule, Fees, and Important Dates
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