The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the notification for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) September 2026. Candidates who want to become teachers for Classes I to VIII in Central Government and many State Government schools can now apply online for the CTET September 2026 examination.
The online application process has started from 11 May 2026 and the last date to apply online is 10 June 2026. The CTET 2026 examination will be conducted on 06 September 2026 across various examination centres in India.
CTET is one of the most important eligibility tests for teaching jobs in India. Candidates who qualify CTET become eligible to apply for teaching posts in Kendriya Vidyalaya (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya (NVS), Central Tibetan Schools, schools under Union Territories, and many state government schools.
CTET September 2026 Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) September 2026 |
| Conducting Body | CBSE, Delhi |
| Exam Type | Teacher Eligibility Test |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Date | 06 September 2026 |
| Backup Exam Date | 05 September 2026 |
| Official Website | CTET Official Website |
| CBSE Website | CBSE Official Website |
CTET 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 11 May 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 11 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 10 June 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 10 June 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| CTET Exam Date | 06 September 2026 |
| Backup Exam Date | 05 September 2026 |
Candidates are advised to complete the application process before the last date to avoid server issues.
CTET September 2026 Exam Schedule
CTET 2026 will be conducted in two shifts for Paper-I and Paper-II.
| Paper | Reporting Time | Exam Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-II (Classes VI to VIII) | 08:00 AM | 09:30 AM to 12:00 Noon |
| Paper-I (Classes I to V) | 01:00 PM | 02:30 PM to 05:00 PM |
Candidates who wish to teach Classes I to VIII must appear for both papers.
CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for CTET are based on NCTE guidelines.
Eligibility for Paper-I (Classes I to V)
Candidates should fulfill any one of the following conditions:
- Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed)
- Senior Secondary with 50% marks and 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed)
- Graduation with 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education
- Senior Secondary with 45% marks and 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education as per NCTE norms
Eligibility for Paper-II (Classes VI to VIII)
Candidates should fulfill any one of the following conditions:
- Graduation with 50% marks and 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education
- Graduation with 45% marks and 1-year B.Ed
- Senior Secondary with 50% marks and 4-year B.El.Ed
- Graduation with 50% marks and 1-year B.Ed (Special Education)
- Senior Secondary with 50% marks and 4-year BA/B.Sc.Ed or BA.Ed/B.Sc.Ed
Candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, and differently-abled categories are eligible for relaxation of up to 5% marks as per government rules.
Final year candidates of B.Ed or D.El.Ed courses can also apply.
CTET 2026 Exam Pattern
Paper-I Pattern (Classes I to V)
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 |
| Language-I | 30 |
| Language-II | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 |
| Total | 150 |
Paper-II Pattern (Classes VI to VIII)
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 |
| Language-I | 30 |
| Language-II | 30 |
| Mathematics & Science OR Social Science | 60 |
| Total | 150 |
Key Features of CTET Exam
- Total Questions: 150 MCQs
- Total Marks: 150
- Duration: 2 Hours 30 Minutes
- No Negative Marking
- Multiple Choice Questions
- Exam conducted in multiple languages
CTET Qualifying Marks
Candidates need to score at least 60% marks to qualify the CTET examination.
\frac{90}{150}\times100 = 60%
This means candidates need a minimum of 90 marks out of 150 to pass the exam.
Reserved category candidates may get relaxation according to government rules.
CTET Certificate Validity
The CTET certificate is now valid for a lifetime. Candidates who qualify CTET can apply for teaching jobs anytime in the future without reappearing for the examination.
Salary After Qualifying CTET
CTET is an eligibility test and not a direct recruitment exam. After clearing CTET, candidates can apply for teaching jobs in various government schools.
Approximate salary after selection in government schools:
| School/Organization | Expected Salary |
|---|---|
| KVS Primary Teacher | ₹40,000 to ₹70,000 |
| NVS Teacher | ₹40,000 to ₹70,000 |
| State Government Teacher | ₹35,000 to ₹65,000 |
Salary may include:
- Basic Pay
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Travel Allowance (TA)
- Medical Benefits
CTET 2026 Application Fees
| Category | Only One Paper | Both Papers |
|---|---|---|
| General/OBC | ₹1,000 | ₹1,200 |
| SC/ST/PwD | ₹500 | ₹600 |
The application fee must be paid online through Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking.
How to Apply Online for CTET September 2026
Candidates can follow these steps to apply online:
- Visit the official website of CTET Official Portal.
- Click on the “Apply Online” link.
- Fill in personal and educational details carefully.
- Select Paper-I, Paper-II, or both.
- Upload scanned photograph and signature.
- Pay the application fee online.
- Submit the application form.
- Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
Documents Required for CTET Application
Candidates should keep the following documents ready:
- Class 10 certificate for Date of Birth
- Educational qualification certificates
- B.Ed/D.El.Ed details
- Valid mobile number and email ID
- Scanned photograph and signature
- Online payment details
Important Links
- 📑 Download CTET September 2026 Official Notification
- 👉 Apply Online for CTET September 2026
- ✅ CTET Official Website
Candidates preparing for teaching careers should not miss this opportunity. Complete the CTET September 2026 online application process before 10 June 2026 and start preparing for the examination scheduled on 06 September 2026.