CTET 2026 Recruitment: Apply Online for Teacher Eligibility Test Before [Last Date: 18 Dec]
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the Information Bulletin for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) - February 2026 session. CTET is a mandatory examination for candidates aspiring to be teachers for Classes I to VIII in schools under the Central Government (like KVS, NVS) and other Government-aided schools across India. All aspiring teachers must check the detailed eligibility criteria, important dates, examination pattern, and syllabus provided below to ensure a smooth application process and effective preparation.
Important Dates for CTET February 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Start Date for Online Application | 27.11.2025 |
| Last Date for Submission of Online Application | 18.12.2025 (Before 11:59 PM) |
| Last Date for Submission of Examination Fee | 18.12.2025 (Before 11:59 PM) |
| Date of CTET Examination | 08th February, 2026 (Sunday) |
Examination Overview
The CTET is an Eligibility Test conducted twice a year by CBSE. It serves as a national standard to assess teacher quality and ensure competence for teaching jobs in Classes 1 to 8. Candidates who qualify the CTET will be issued an eligibility certificate, which they can use to apply for various teaching posts in Central and State Government schools.
Detailed Educational Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy the minimum qualification norms laid down by the NCTE. Relaxation of up to 5% in qualifying marks is provided for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/Differently-abled categories. Candidates in the final year of a teacher training course are also eligible to apply.
Paper I Eligibility (For Classes I-V Primary Stage)
- Senior Secondary (or 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).
- Senior Secondary with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of 2-year D.El.Ed (as per NCTE Regulations, 2002).
- Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).
- Graduation with at least 50% marks and a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree. (B.Ed candidates must undergo a 6-month bridge course after appointment).
Paper II Eligibility (For Classes VI-VIII Elementary Stage)
- Graduation and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
- Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 1-year or 2-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed) course.
- Graduation with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in a 1-year B.Ed (as per NCTE Regulations).
- Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year B.El.Ed / B.A.Ed. / B.Sc.Ed.
Age Limit
For the CTET 2026 examination, there is no upper age limit for applying. A candidate must be at least 18 years old to apply. Candidates can attempt the exam multiple times to improve their score, as there is no restriction on the number of attempts.
Application Fee
The application fee must be paid online via Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking. GST will be charged extra on the fee.
| Category | Only Paper I or II | Both Paper I & II |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC (NCL) | ₹1000/- | ₹1200/- |
| SC / ST / Differently Abled Person | ₹500/- | ₹600/- |
How to Apply Online for CTET 2026
Candidates must follow the steps below to successfully submit their online application before the last date (18.12.2025):
- Log on to the CTET official website:
https://ctet.nic.in. - Click on the link "Apply Online for CTET February 2026".
- Fill in the Online Application Form and note down the system-generated Registration Number/Application Number.
- Upload the latest scanned Photograph (10-100 KB, 3.5cm x 4.5cm) and Signature (3-30 KB, 3.5cm x 1.5cm).
- Pay the Examination Fee using a Debit/Credit Card or Net Banking.
- Print the Confirmation Page after successful fee payment. Do not send the Confirmation Page to the CTET Unit.
Important Links and Official Resources
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Direct Link to Apply Online | Apply Now |
| Download Official Information Bulletin | Download PDF |
| Official CTET Website | Visit Official Site |
| Check Detailed NCTE Eligibility Norms | Check NCTE Rules |
Selection & Qualifying Process
The CTET examination is a one-stage eligibility test. Candidates are considered CTET Qualified if they score 60% or more in the examination.
- General Category: Must score 90 marks out of 150 (60%).
- Reserved Categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD): May receive a concession and must score 82 marks out of 150 (55%) to qualify.
Qualifying the CTET only makes a candidate *eligible* for appointment; it does not guarantee employment. The final selection will be made by the respective recruiting agency.
CTET February 2026 Exam Pattern
Both Paper I and Paper II consist of 150 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), each carrying one mark. There is no negative marking for wrong answers. The exam duration for each paper is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Paper I (Primary Stage, Classes I-V)
| S.No. | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Child Development and Pedagogy (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| II | Language I (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| III | Language II (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| IV | Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| V | Environmental Studies (EVS) | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 | |
Paper II (Elementary Stage, Classes VI-VIII)
| S.No. | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Child Development and Pedagogy (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| II | Language I (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| III | Language II (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| IV | Mathematics and Science (For Maths/Science Teacher) | 60 | 60 |
| V | Social Studies/Social Science (For Social Studies Teacher) | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 150 | 150 | |
Detailed Syllabus: Key Topics
The syllabus for both papers is based on the NCERT syllabus for Classes I-VIII. The questions assess the candidate's understanding of teaching methodology, subject knowledge, and pedagogical issues.
- Child Development & Pedagogy: Focuses on development principles, concepts of inclusive education, learning, and pedagogy, including theories by Piaget, Kohlberg, and Vygotsky.
- Mathematics (Paper I Content): Geometry, Shapes & Spatial Understanding, Solids, Numbers, Operations (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division), Measurement, Time, Money, Data Handling.
- Environmental Studies (EVS Content): Family and Friends (Relationships, Work & Play, Animals, Plants), Food, Shelter, Water, Travel, Things We Make and Do.
- Social Studies/Science (Paper II Content):
- History: When, Where and How, The Earliest Societies, New Empires and Kingdoms.
- Geography: Globe, Environment, Air, Water, Human Environment.
- Social & Political Life: Diversity, Government, Local Government, Democracy, Unpacking Gender.
- Language I & II: Focuses on Language Comprehension (unseen passages) and Pedagogy of Language Development (role of grammar, principles of language teaching, language skills).
CTET Preparation Tips for Success
- Master Pedagogy: Dedicate significant time to Child Development and Pedagogy as it is the foundation and carries weight in all sections.
- Practice NCERT: Since the syllabus is based on NCERT, thoroughly study NCERT books from Class I to VIII, especially for EVS, Maths, Science, and Social Science.
- Solve Previous Papers: Analyze at least 5 years' worth of previous year question papers to understand the exam pattern and question difficulty level.
- Focus on Concepts: Instead of rote learning, focus on understanding the concepts of teaching methodologies and child psychology, as the questions are application-based.
- Mock Tests: Attempt full-length mock tests regularly to manage time effectively and build endurance for the 2.5-hour exam.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q1. What is the validity period of the CTET certificate?
- The CTET qualifying certificate is valid for life (lifetime) for all categories. This rule was made effective by the NCTE and applies to all certificates issued since 2011.
- Q2. Is there any negative marking in the CTET 2026 exam?
- No, there is no negative marking in the CTET examination. Candidates should attempt all questions.
- Q3. Can B.Ed qualified candidates apply for CTET Paper I (Primary Stage)?
- Yes, B.Ed qualified candidates are eligible for CTET Paper I. However, if they are appointed as a primary teacher, they must mandatorily undergo a 6-month NCTE recognized bridge course within two years of appointment.
- Q4. Is there an age limit to apply for CTET?
- There is no upper age limit set for the CTET exam. The minimum age to apply is generally 18 years.
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