CBSE CTET September 2026 Notification Out: Apply Online, Exam Dates, and Eligibility Criteria
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially announced the schedule for the 22nd edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET). This national-level examination for Paper-I and Paper-II is scheduled to take place on September 6, 2026 (Sunday).
| Organization | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Exam Name | Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) – September 2026 (22nd Edition) |
| Application Start Date | May 11, 2026 |
| Application Last Date | June 10, 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Submission | June 10, 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Online Correction Window | June 15, 2026 to June 18, 2026 |
| Download Admit Card |
Two days before the exam |
| Date of Examination | September 6, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Declaration of Result | End of October 2026 (Tentative) |
CBSE CTET September 2026 Notification
The CBSE CTET September 2026 Notification marks the commencement of the 22nd edition of this national-level teacher eligibility test. This official release provides a comprehensive schedule for aspiring teachers, highlighting that the examination for both Paper-I and Paper-II will be conducted on September 6, 2026, across 132 cities nationwide. The notification details a strictly online application window running from May 11 to June 10, 2026.
Eligibility Criteria for CBSE CTET September 2026
Based on the official Information Bulletin for CTET September 2026, the eligibility criteria are determined by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). While the specific minimum qualifications are updated by the NCTE from time to time, the general requirements for the two papers are as follows:
Paper I (Classes I to V)
Minimum Educational Qualifications:
- Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education.
- OR 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).
- OR Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education).
- OR Graduation with at least 50% marks and a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed).
Paper I (Classes I to V)
Minimum Educational Qualifications:
- Graduation and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
- OR Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of Bachelor in Education (B.Ed).
- OR Graduation with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of Bachelor in Education (B.Ed), in accordance with the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure) Regulations issued from time to time in this regard.
- OR Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor in Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).
- OR Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 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 the final year of B.Ed. (Special Education).
CTET 2026 Exam Schedule
| Paper | Shift | Time | Duration |
| Paper-II (Classes VI–VIII) | Morning |
09:30 AM to 12:00 NOON |
2.30 Hours |
| Paper-I (Classes I–V) | Evening |
02:30 PM to 05:00 PM |
2.30 Hours |
Note: The CTET September 2026 examination is scheduled for September 6, 2026 (Sunday). In the event of a significant increase in the number of candidates, the board may also conduct the examination on September 5, 2026 (Saturday). Â
CTET Exam Structure
Paper I (Primary Stage: Classes I to V) :Â
This paper is for candidates who intend to be teachers for the primary level. The duration of the exam is 2.5 hours.
| Subject | Number of MCQs | Total Marks |
| Child Development and Pedagogy (compulsory) | 30 Questions | 30 Marks |
| Language I (compulsory) | 30 Questions | 30 Marks |
| Language II (compulsory) | 30 Questions | 30 Marks |
| Mathematics (compulsory) | 30 Questions | 30 Marks |
| Environmental Studies (compulsory) | 30 Questions | 30 Marks |
| Total | 150 Questions | 150 Marks |
Paper II (Elementary Stage: Classes VI to VIII)
This paper is for candidates who intend to be teachers for the elementary level. The duration is also 2.5 hours.
| Subject | Number of MCQs | Total Marks |
| Child Development and Pedagogy (compulsory) | 30 Questions | 30 Marks |
| Language I (compulsory) | 30 Questions | 30 Marks |
| Language II (compulsory) | 30 Questions | 30 Marks |
| Choice of Subject (Choose One): | Â | Â |
| a) Mathematics and Science (for Math/Science teachers) | 60 Questions | 60 Marks |
| b) Social Studies/Social Science (for Social Science teachers) | 60 Questions | 60 Marks |
| Total | 150 Questions | Â 150 Marks |
ImportantÂ
- Bilingual Paper: The main question paper is provided in both Hindi and English. Â
- Language Options: Candidates must choose two different languages from a list of 27 available options, such as English, Hindi, Assamese, Bodo, and others. Â
- Qualifying Marks: Candidates must score 60% or more to be considered “TET pass”. Â
- Validity: The CTET qualifying certificate is valid for a lifetime for all categories.
Languages Offered
The following 27 languages are offered for the CTET September 2026 session:
| Language | Code | Language | Code |
| English | 01 | Punjabi | 15 |
| Hindi | 02 | Sanskrit | 16 |
| Assamese | 03 | Tamil | 17 |
| Bengali | 04 | Telugu | 18 |
| Garo | 05 | Tibetan | 19 |
| Gujarati | 06 | Urdu | 20 |
| Kannada | 07 | Bodo | 21 |
| Khasi | 08 | Dogri | 22 |
| Malayalam | 09 | Kashmiri | 23 |
| Manipuri | 10 | Konkani | 24 |
| Marathi | 11 | Maithili | 25 |
| Mizo | 12 | Santhali | 26 |
| Nepali | 13 | Sindhi | 27 |
| Odia | 14 |
Note: Candidates must attempt questions in the specific languages they opted for as mentioned in their Admit Card. Attempting questions in any other language will lead to the cancellation of candidature. Â
Application Fee for CTET 2026
The application fee for the CTET September 2026 examination is based on the candidate’s category and the number of papers they choose to take.
| Category | Only Paper-I or Paper-II | Both Paper-I & Paper-II |
| General / OBC (NCL) | Rs. 1,000/- | Rs. 1,200/- |
| SC / ST / Differently Abled Person | Rs. 500/- | Rs. 600/-Â |
How to Apply CBSE CTET September 2026 ?
Step-by-Step Application Process
1. Log on to Official Websites: Visit https://ctet.nic.in or https://www.cbse.gov.in.
2. Access the Application Link: Click on the “Apply Online” link to open the registration page.
3. Fill the Authentication Form: Enter basic details such as your State, Identification type, Name, Date of Birth, and Gender.
4. Complete the Online Application:
- Fill in all required particulars and choose a password. Â
- Once submitted, a Registration Number/Application Number will be generated;Â Â make sure to note this down for future logins.
5. Upload Scanned Documents:
- Photograph: Must be in JPG/JPEG format, sized between 10 to 100 KB. Â
- Signature: Must be in JPG/JPEG format, sized between 3 to 30 KB.
6. Pay Examination Fee: Submit the fee using a Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking. Â
7. Print Confirmation Page: After successful payment, download and print the Confirmation Page for your records.
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Note :Â If you submit more than one application, your candidature may be cancelled and you could be debarred from future exams.
Important Links
| Online Application Form | Click Here |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Information Bulletin | Click Here |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
FAQs – CBSE CTET September 2026
1. When is the CTET September 2026 exam?Â
The exam is scheduled for September 6, 2026 (Sunday). In case of a high number of candidates, it may also be held on September 5, 2026 (Saturday).
2. What is the last date to apply?Â
The final date to submit your online application and pay the fee is June 10, 2026, by 11:59 PM.
3. Can I choose my preferred examination city?Â
No. There is no provision to select a city in the application portal. CBSE will allot a city on a random basis, and requests for changes will not be accepted.
4. Is there any negative marking in CTET?Â
No, there is no negative marking. Each correct answer carries one mark.
5. Can I correct my application after submission?Â
Yes, a correction window is available from June 15, 2026, to June 18, 2026. However, you cannot change your allotted examination city.
6. What should I bring to the CTET exam center?Â
You must bring your e-Admit Card and your own Ball Point Pen (Black/Blue) of good quality. Pens will not be supplied by the board.
7. What items are prohibited?Â
Prohibited items include books, paper bits, calculators, mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, watches, wallets, and ornaments.
