CBSE CTET will be conducting the Central Teacher Eligibility Test on 8th February 2026 in twenty languages in 132 cities at various examination centers spread across the country. Candidates who want to pursue teaching at the school level as their profession must appear and qualify. Interested and eligible candidates may apply online here.
CBSE CTET Overview
| Exam Name | Central Teacher Eligibility Test – CTET |
| Board Name | Central Board of Secondary Education – CBSE |
| Exam Centre | All Over India |
| Validity of CTET certificate | Lifetime |
| Application Date | 27th Nov – 18th Dec 2025 |
| Exam Date | 8th February 2026 |
CBSE CTET Exam Criteria
The minimum educational qualifications for appearing in the CTET are as notified by NCTE. The candidates are advised to visit the website of NCTE to ascertain their eligibility.
Classes I-V or Primary Stage
- Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in final year of 2- year Diploma in Elementary Education (by whatever name known)
- Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in final year of 2- year Diploma in Elementary Education (by whatever name known), in accordance with the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure), Regulations, 2002.
- Senior Secondary or its equivalent with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in final year of 4- year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).Senior Secondary or its equivalent with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in final year of 2- year Diploma in Education (Special Education).
Classes VI-VIII or Elementary Stage
- Graduation and passed or appearing in final year of 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (by whatever name known).
- At least 50% marks either in Graduation or in Post-Graduation and passed or appearing in final year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed).
- Graduation with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in final year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed), in accordance with the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure) Regulations issued from time to time in this regard.
- Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in final year of 4- year Bachelor in Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).
- Senior Secondary (or its 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.
- Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in final year B.Ed. (Special Education)*.
- Any candidate having qualified B.Ed. Programme recognized by the NCTE is eligible to appear in TET/CTET. Moreover, as per the existing TET guidelines circulated vide NCTE letter dated 11-02-2011, a person who is pursuing any of the teacher education courses (recognized by the NCTE or the RCI, as the case may be) specified in the NCTE Notification dated 23rd August 2010 is also qualified to appear in the TET/CTET.
- Post-Graduation with a minimum 55% marks or equivalent grade and passed or appearing in final year of three-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed.
CBSE CTET Exam Pattern
The CTET February 2026 consists of two papers – Paper I for Classes I-V and Paper II for Classes VI-VIII. Candidates can apply for either or both papers as per their eligibility and preference.
Paper I (For Classes I-V) Primary Stage
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Paper II (For Classes VI-VIII) Elementary Stage
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics and Science OR Social Studies | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Application Fee for CBSE CTET 2025
Candidates have to pay the application fee to complete their online application process, the fee may vary according to the category of the candidates. The complete details regarding the fee are given below.
| Category | Only Paper I or II | Both Paper I & II |
| General/OBC | Rs.1000/- | Rs. 1200/- |
| SC/ST/PwBD | Rs. 500/- | Rs. 600/- |
Payment Method: Candidates can pay their application fee through an online payment gateway. Candidates should have any one of the following options to make the online payment: debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI.
Important Dates of CBSE CTET
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Start of Online Application | 27th November 2025 |
| Last Date for Online Application | 18th December 2025 (11:59 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 18th December 2025 (11:59 PM) |
| Online Correction Window | 23rd to 26th December 2025 |
| Admit Card Download | Two days before exam |
| Date of Examination | 8th February 2026 |
| Declaration of Result | End of March 2026 (Tentative) |
How To Apply CBSE CTET 2026
Interested and eligible candidates may apply online for CTET February 2026 by visiting at official portal of CBSE CTET. They may follow below mentioned steps .
- Step 1: Scroll down, go to Important Web Links section.
- Step 2: Click on One-Time Registration link .
- Step 3: A new webpage will be opened.
- Step 4: Enter your details as required in the portal; and register yourself.
- Step 5: After registration, Click on Online Application Form and Login.
- Step 6: Enter all credentials and upload your documents as required in the portal.
- Step 7: Finally click on “Submit” and take print out of your submitted application.
Important links of CBSE CTET
| Apply Now | Click Here |
| Download Notification | Click Here |
| CTET Question Papers | Click Here |
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