CTET 2026 Notification Out for September, Exam Date, Eligibility, Application Form

CTET 2026

CTET is the eligibility test for a Central-level teacher. The full form of CTET is Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET). After qualification in this exam it will determine whether a candidate is eligible for a position as a teacher in Classes I–VIII, either in KVS, NVS, Army Public Schools, State Government Schools, DSSSB schools (Delhi), Municipal schools, or any private school that is affiliated with CBSE. In this article we have discussed the CTET 2026 such as exam date, eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, marking scheme, and direct application link are given in this article.

CTET 2026 Notification Out

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the CTET 2026 Notification for the September Session for Paper 1 and Paper 2 on the official website, i.e., ctet.nic.in. The CTET notification 2026 PDF was released on 11th May 2026. The application process also started on 11th May to 10th June 2026. CTET Exam Date 2026 is 6th September 2026. The notification contains complete details regarding the examination, including eligibility criteria, application process, exam pattern, syllabus, important dates, and certificate validity.

CTET Exam 2026 — Summary

What is the CTET Exam?

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a national-level eligibility examination conducted by CBSE to determine the eligibility of candidates for teaching positions at the primary and upper primary levels. The examination is conducted in two papers, with Paper I intended for candidates aspiring to teach Classes 1 to 5 and Paper II for those wishing to teach Classes 6 to 8. Candidates interested in teaching both levels can appear for both papers.

CTET Vacancy 2026 and Recruitment Opportunities

Many candidates search for CTET Vacancy 2026 and CTET Recruitment 2026 while looking for the latest notification updates. However, CTET is not a recruitment examination and does not directly announce teaching vacancies. Instead, it serves as an eligibility qualification required by several recruitment agencies, including KVS, NVS, DSSSB, and various state education departments. Candidates who qualify CTET become eligible to apply for Primary Teacher (PRT), Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT), and other teaching vacancies released throughout the year.

CBSE CTET September 2026 Important Dates

The CTET 2026 Notification includes important dates related to the application process, admit card release, examination schedule, answer key publication, and result declaration. Candidates are advised to complete their applications before the deadline and regularly visit the official website for the latest updates regarding the examination timeline.

Eligibility Criteria for CTET 2026 Exam

Before applying for the examination, candidates must ensure that they satisfy the eligibility requirements prescribed by CBSE. The eligibility criteria vary depending on whether the candidate intends to appear for Paper I, Paper II, or both papers. Educational qualifications, teacher training credentials, and other requirements should be carefully reviewed before submitting the application form.

Educational Qualification for Classes 1–5

Candidates applying for CTET Paper I should possess the required educational qualifications prescribed for teaching at the primary level. Generally, candidates must have completed Senior Secondary education along with a recognized teacher training qualification such as D.El.Ed or an equivalent program.

Educational Qualification for Classes 6–8

For CTET Paper II, candidates are generally required to hold a graduation degree along with a recognized teacher education qualification such as B.Ed or its equivalent. The detailed eligibility requirements are specified in the official notification.

CBSE CTET Paper I and Paper II Eligibility Criteria 2026

CTET Paper I Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must fulfill any one of the following eligibility conditions to apply for CTET Paper I (Classes 1 to 5):

• Passed 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).
• Passed Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education, in accordance with NCTE regulations.
• Passed Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).
• Passed Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education).
• Graduated with a Bachelor's degree and passed or appearing in a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) program.

CTET Paper II Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must satisfy any one of the following eligibility conditions to apply for CTET Paper II (Classes 6 to 8):

• Graduated and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
• Graduated with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) program.
• Graduated with at least 40% marks and passed or appearing in a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) program, as per NCTE regulations.
• Passed Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).
• Passed Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year B.A.Ed./B.Sc.Ed. or B.A./B.Sc.Ed. program.
• Graduated with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in a 1-year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) program.

CTET 2026 Application Form

The CTET 2026 application process is conducted online through the official website. Candidates must complete registration, enter personal and academic details, upload required documents, and pay the application fee before the closing date. It is recommended to verify all information carefully before final submission to avoid future issues during document verification.

CTET 2026 Application Fee

Candidates are required to pay the prescribed application fee based on the number of papers selected and their category. The fee can be paid online through various payment methods. Applications submitted without successful fee payment will not be considered complete.

CTET 2026 Selection Process

The CTET selection process primarily consists of a written examination conducted in offline mode. Candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks prescribed by CBSE are declared CTET qualified and become eligible to apply for teaching recruitment opportunities where CTET qualification is required.

CTET 2026 Exam Pattern

Understanding the exam pattern is essential for effective preparation. The CTET examination consists of objective-type multiple-choice questions covering Child Development and Pedagogy, Languages, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, Science, and Social Science, depending on the paper selected by the candidate.

• Paper I – For those who want to teach Classes 1 to 5
• Paper II – For those who aim to teach Classes 6 to 8
• You can choose to appear for either one or both papers based on your preference.
• Each paper will have Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) – 4 options per question, only one correct. No negative marking.

CTET September 2026 Exam Pattern

Section Covers (Paper I)

• Child Development & Pedagogy — Focuses on teaching and learning psychology for children aged 6–11 years. Covers child needs, inclusive education, and the qualities of a good teacher.
• Language I — Tests your proficiency in the language of instruction (the main teaching language you choose).
• Language II — Should be different from Language I. Focuses on language comprehension, communication, and grammar.
• Mathematics & Environmental Studies (EVS) — Questions will check your subject knowledge, basic problem-solving, and how to teach these subjects effectively. Based mostly on the NCERT Class 1–5 syllabus, but the difficulty level may go up to the Secondary stage.

CTET 2026 Syllabus

The CTET syllabus covers topics related to Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, Science, and Social Science. Candidates should thoroughly review the prescribed syllabus and focus on conceptual clarity to maximize their performance in the examination.

CTET Paper I Syllabus

The CTET Paper I syllabus is designed for candidates aspiring to teach Classes 1 to 5. The major subjects and topics included in the syllabus are:

• Child Development and Pedagogy — Child Development; Learning and Pedagogy
• Language I — Reading Comprehension; Pedagogy of Language Development
• Language II — Reading Comprehension; Pedagogy of Language Development
• Mathematics — Geometry; Shapes and Spatial Understanding; Solids Around Us; Numbers; Addition and Subtraction; Multiplication; Division
• Environmental Studies — Family and Friends; Food; Shelter; Water; Travel

CTET Paper II Syllabus 2026

The CTET Paper II syllabus is intended for candidates who wish to teach Classes 6 to 8. The syllabus includes the following subjects and topics:

• Child Development and Pedagogy — Child Development; Learning and Pedagogy
• Language I — Reading Comprehension; Pedagogy of Language Development
• Language II — Reading Comprehension; Pedagogy of Language Development
• Mathematics — Number System; Algebra; Geometry; Mensuration
• Science — Food; Materials; Natural Phenomena; Natural Resources
• Social Studies/Social Science — History; Geography; Social and Political Life; Pedagogical Issues

CTET for PRT and TGT Posts

CTET qualification plays a crucial role in teacher recruitment across India. Candidates who qualify Paper I can apply for Primary Teacher (PRT) positions, while those who qualify Paper II can apply for Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) vacancies, subject to the recruitment authority's educational and professional requirements. This is one of the primary reasons candidates search for CTET Vacancy 2026 and CTET Recruitment opportunities.

CBSE CTET Certificate Validity

The CTET certificate remains valid for a lifetime, allowing candidates to use their qualification for future teaching recruitment opportunities without the need to reappear solely for certificate validity purposes. This lifetime validity provides long-term value to candidates pursuing teaching careers.

CTET Teacher Salary

Teacher salaries vary depending on the recruiting organization, location, and post level. Qualified CTET candidates recruited as PRTs, TGTs, or other teaching positions receive salaries according to the applicable government pay scales along with allowances and benefits prescribed by the respective employer.

CTET Salary Structure

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)