CTET 2026

Overview

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a national-level examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). CTET certification is mandatory for teachers who wish to teach in Central Government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and other central government-run schools.

CTET is conducted twice a year and the certificate is valid for lifetime from 2021 onwards.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Notification Release	April 10, 2026
Application Start	April 15, 2026
Application End	May 15, 2026
Admit Card	July 10, 2026
Exam Date	July 20, 2026
Result Date	September 1, 2026

Eligibility Criteria

Paper I (Classes I to V — Primary Stage)

• Senior Secondary (Class 12) with at least 50% marks and D.El.Ed (Diploma in Elementary Education)
• OR Senior Secondary with at least 45% marks and D.El.Ed (as per NCTE 2002)
• OR Graduation with B.El.Ed (4-year integrated course)
• OR Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and B.Ed (Special Education)

Paper II (Classes VI to VIII — Elementary Stage)

• Graduation with at least 50% marks and B.Ed
• OR Graduation with at least 45% marks and B.Ed (as per NCTE norms)
• OR Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and B.A/B.Sc.Ed (4-year integrated course)
• OR Graduation with at least 50% marks and B.A.Ed / B.Sc.Ed (as applicable)

Age Limit

There is no upper age limit to appear for CTET.

Application Fee

Category	Paper I or II	Both Papers
General / OBC	₹1,000	₹1,200
SC / ST / PwD	₹500	₹600

Selection Process

• CTET is a qualifying examination, not a ranking exam.
• Candidates who score 60% or above (90 out of 150) in the respective paper are awarded the CTET certificate.
• The certificate is valid for lifetime.
• Qualifying CTET does not guarantee appointment — recruitment is done separately by respective schools/organizations.

Syllabus

Paper I (Classes I to V)

• Child Development and Pedagogy (30 questions)
• Language I — Hindi/English (30 questions)
• Language II — Hindi/English (30 questions)
• Mathematics (30 questions)
• Environmental Studies (30 questions)

Paper II (Classes VI to VIII)

• Child Development and Pedagogy (30 questions)
• Language I — Hindi/English (30 questions)
• Language II — Hindi/English (30 questions)
• Mathematics and Science OR Social Studies (60 questions)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is CTET certificate valid for lifetime? Yes, from 2021 onwards, the CTET certificate is valid for lifetime. Earlier it was valid for 7 years.

Q: Can I apply for both Paper I and Paper II? Yes, candidates can apply for both papers in a single application.

Q: How many times can I attempt CTET? There is no restriction on the number of attempts for CTET.