CTET 2026 Exam Set for February 8; Applications Open November 27
The Central Board of Secondary Education has officially confirmed that the 21st edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) India will be held on February 8, 2026 — a Sunday — across 132 cities nationwide. The announcement, made public on November 27, 2025, through the official portal ctet.nic.in, marks the start of a critical recruitment cycle for aspiring teachers in central government schools. Paper I (for Classes 1–5) and Paper II (for Classes 6–8) will be administered on the same day, in twenty languages, reflecting the exam’s nationwide scale and linguistic diversity. For hundreds of thousands of candidates across India, this isn’t just another test — it’s the gateway to a government teaching job.
Why This Date Matters
The CTET has long followed a predictable rhythm: exams in July and December. But this cycle breaks the mold. The December 2025 session — originally expected — has been pushed to February 2026, creating an unusual 14-month gap since the last exam in July 2025. That delay means thousands of candidates who planned to apply in late 2025 now face a compressed timeline. The application window opens November 27, 2025, and closes December 18, 2025 — just 21 days to register, upload documents, and pay fees. There’s no extension. No grace period. Miss it, and you wait until July 2026."This isn’t just administrative reshuffling," said Dr. Anjali Mehta, a former CBSE advisor and education policy researcher. "It’s a signal. The Board is trying to align CTET with the academic calendar of Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya schools, which start their new hires in April. Pushing the exam to February gives them time to process results, conduct interviews, and fill vacancies before the new term."
Who Can Apply and What’s at Stake
To qualify for Paper I, candidates must have completed Class 12 with at least 50% marks and a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) or equivalent. For Paper II, a bachelor’s degree plus a B.Ed is mandatory. The exam isn’t just a formality — it’s a legal requirement. Without CTET certification, you cannot be appointed as a teacher in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), or any other institution under the Government of India.Even private schools affiliated with CBSE increasingly list CTET as a preferred or mandatory qualification. In cities like Lucknow, Patna, and Bhopal, private school recruiters told us they prioritize CTET-qualified applicants — even over those with only a B.Ed. "It’s a national benchmark," said Ravi Kumar, principal of a CBSE-affiliated school in Jaipur. "We don’t want to gamble on someone’s teaching ability. CTET gives us a baseline."
The Process: From Registration to Results
Applicants must register exclusively on ctet.nic.in. No third-party portals. No WhatsApp groups. No unofficial apps. The site warns repeatedly: "Only information published on ctet.nic.in is authentic." The application process requires uploading a passport-sized photo and signature in specified formats, paying a fee of ₹1,000 for general category candidates (₹500 for SC/ST/OBC/PwD), and selecting up to five preferred test cities from the 132 listed.Admit cards will be available for download starting January 28, 2026 — exactly 10 days before the exam. The test itself will be offline, pen-and-paper, with no digital or computer-based format. Results are expected by March 2026, followed by the release of the answer key in mid-February. Candidates who challenge the answer key will have a 72-hour window to submit objections — a process that’s become increasingly common as competition heats up.
A National Undertaking
The scale of this exam is staggering. In 2024, over 1.8 million candidates appeared for CTET. This year, with teacher vacancies in KVS and NVS exceeding 25,000 and state-level TETs still inconsistent in quality, the pressure is even higher. The 2026 exam will be held in cities ranging from Leh to Kanyakumari, from Imphal to Porbandar — ensuring accessibility across India’s vast geography. Twenty languages, including Urdu, Tamil, Odia, and Bodo, mean the test is not just national, but truly inclusive."It’s not just about qualifying," said Priya Sharma, a 24-year-old candidate from Ranchi preparing for Paper II. "It’s about dignity. For someone like me — from a small town, first in my family to go to college — passing CTET means I can finally teach without being told I’m not "qualified enough.""
What’s Next?
With the exam date locked in, the focus shifts to preparation. CBSE has released the syllabus and sample papers on ctet.nic.in, but many coaching centers are already flooding social media with "guaranteed success" packages. Experts urge caution. "The exam tests pedagogical understanding, not rote memorization," said Dr. Mehta. "Focus on child psychology, classroom management, and inclusive education. Those are the sections where most candidates fail."As the December 18 deadline approaches, the real race begins — not just to register, but to prepare. For many, this exam isn’t just a career step. It’s a lifeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CTET mandatory for all teaching jobs in India?
CTET is mandatory for teaching positions in central government schools like KVS and NVS, and for any role funded by the Union Government. Many private CBSE-affiliated schools also require it, though state-run schools follow their own TETs. However, without CTET, you cannot be appointed in any school under the Ministry of Education’s direct control.
Can I appear for both Paper I and Paper II in the same exam?
Yes. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for both levels can choose to appear for both Paper I and Paper II on the same day. The exam is conducted in two sessions — Paper I in the morning, Paper II in the afternoon. You’ll receive separate scorecards for each, and qualifying both increases your job opportunities across Classes 1–8.
What’s the passing score for CTET 2026?
The minimum qualifying score is 60% (90 out of 150 marks) for general category candidates. For SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates, it’s 55% (82 out of 150). There’s no sectional cutoff — only aggregate. Once you qualify, your certificate is valid for life, unlike some state TETs that expire after seven years.
Why was the December 2025 CTET moved to February 2026?
CBSE shifted the exam to align with the academic calendar of KVS and NVS, which begin hiring new teachers in March–April. The previous July–December cycle created a gap between results and recruitment. By moving to February, results can be processed in time for April appointments, reducing vacancies and improving school staffing efficiency.
How many cities are conducting CTET 2026, and can I change my test center after registration?
The exam will be held in 132 cities across India, including remote locations like Kargil and Dibrugarh. Candidates can select up to five preferred centers during registration, but once the admit card is issued, center changes are not permitted. CBSE assigns centers based on availability and proximity to the applicant’s first preference.
Is there a limit on how many times I can take CTET?
No. There is no restriction on the number of attempts. Candidates can retake CTET as many times as they wish, even after qualifying, to improve their score. Since the certificate is valid for life, most retakers aim for higher marks to boost their ranking in competitive recruitment drives, especially in high-demand regions like Delhi and Maharashtra.
