1. What is CTET?
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a national-level eligibility test conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Delhi for teachers who wish to teach classes I–VIII in schools where CTET/TET is applicable. Passing CTET is one of the essential eligibility conditions for appointment as a teacher; it does not guarantee a job but is required in the recruitment process.
2. CTET February 2026 – At a Glance
- Conducting Body: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Delhi
- Mode of Exam: Offline (OMR-based)
- Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with four options, one correct answer, no negative marking
- Papers:
- Paper I – For teachers of Classes I–V (Primary Stage)
- Paper II – For teachers of Classes VI–VIII (Elementary Stage)
- Official Website for Application & Updates:
https://ctet.nic.in
3. Important Dates for CTET February 2026
- Online Application Start Date: 27 November 2025
- Last Date for Online Application: 18 December 2025 (up to 11:59 PM)
- Last Date for Fee Payment: 18 December 2025 (up to 11:59 PM)
- Date of Examination: 08 February 2026 (Sunday)
Exam-day schedule:
| Date | Paper | Shift | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08.02.2026 | II | Morning | 09:30 AM – 12:00 Noon |
| 08.02.2026 | I | Evening | 02:30 PM – 05:00 PM |
Candidates are advised to visit the official website regularly for any updates or changes.
4. Who Should Appear for CTET?
CTET is meant for candidates who wish to become teachers in:
- Central Government schools – e.g. KVS, NVS, Central Tibetan Schools etc.
- Schools under UTs – Delhi, Chandigarh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, etc.
- CBSE-affiliated schools – where CTET/TET qualification is prescribed.
- Unaided private schools – many such schools accept CTET scores.
- State Government / aided schools – usually accept their own State TET, but a State may adopt CTET if it chooses.
5. Validity of CTET Certificate
- The CTET qualifying certificate is valid for lifetime for all categories.
- There is no restriction on the number of attempts; candidates may reappear to improve their score.
6. Overview of Eligibility
The minimum educational qualifications are laid down by NCTE and detailed in its notifications and recruitment rules of respective governments.
- Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications prescribed by NCTE for the level at which they wish to teach (Primary / Elementary).
- Relaxation of 5% in the qualifying marks in the minimum educational qualification is allowed for SC/ST/OBC and Differently Abled candidates as per NCTE norms.
Candidates should check the latest NCTE regulations and recruitment rules of the concerned authority before applying.
7. Structure of CTET – Paper I (Classes I–V)
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Questions: 150 MCQs
Total Marks: 150
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies (EVS) | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Nature of questions (highlights):
- Child Development & Pedagogy: Development and learning of children (ages 6–11), principles of development, heredity–environment, child-centred education, inclusive education, assessment for learning, CCE, and classroom interaction.
- Languages I & II: Comprehension, language skills, grammar in use, role of listening and speaking, language learning principles, multilingual classroom issues, and pedagogy of language teaching.
- Mathematics & EVS: Basic concepts, problem-solving, day-to-day applications, and pedagogical understanding, not just content. Questions are based on NCERT syllabus for Classes I–V, but difficulty may go up to the secondary level.
8. Structure of CTET – Paper II (Classes VI–VIII)
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Questions: 150 MCQs
Total Marks: 150
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies/Science | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Key points:
- CDP (11–14 years): Focus on psychology of learning of adolescents, inclusive education, assessment, motivation, and classroom processes.
- Maths & Science: For candidates who intend to teach these subjects; questions cover concepts, practical applications and pedagogy from NCERT Classes VI–VIII, with difficulty up to Senior Secondary level.
- Social Studies/Social Science: History, Geography, Social & Political Life, with emphasis on concepts, enquiry, use of sources, projects and critical thinking.
9. Language Options
Candidates must select two languages from the official list—one as Language I and another as Language II (both cannot be the same).
Some of the available choices include: Hindi, English, Assamese, Bengali, Garo, Gujarati, Kannada, Khasi, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Mizo, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Tibetan, Urdu.
The main question paper is bilingual (Hindi & English), while language sections are in the chosen languages.
10. Qualifying Marks
According to NCTE guidelines:
- A candidate scoring 60% or more (90 out of 150) in CTET is treated as CTET qualified.
- School authorities may give relaxation in qualifying marks to SC/ST/OBC and differently abled candidates as per their reservation policies.
- CTET score should be given weightage in recruitment, but qualifying CTET does not by itself guarantee appointment.
11. Examination Fee
| Category | Only Paper I or II | Both Paper I & II |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC (Non-Creamy) | ₹ 1000 | ₹ 1200 |
| SC / ST / Differently Abled | ₹ 500 | ₹ 600 |
Applicable GST and bank charges are extra and will be charged by the bank while making online payment. Fee once paid is non-refundable and not adjustable for future tests.
12. How to Apply – Step-by-Step
All applications are to be submitted online through the official CTET website.
Step 1 – Registration
- Visit
https://ctet.nic.inand click on “Apply Online” for CTET February 2026. - Fill the Authentication Form with basic details (state, ID type, name, date of birth, gender).
- Fill the online application form completely and create a password.
- On submission, a Registration/Application Number is generated. Note this carefully.
Step 2 – Upload Documents
- Upload a recent scanned photograph (JPG/JPEG, 10–100 KB, 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm).
- Upload scanned signature (JPG/JPEG, 3–30 KB, 3.5 cm × 1.5 cm).
Step 3 – Pay Examination Fee
- Pay online via Debit/Credit Card or Net Banking through the payment gateway.
- Ensure your payment status is shown as “OK/Success”. If a transaction fails, the amount is usually refunded by the bank and you must repay.
Step 4 – Print Confirmation Page
- Once payment is successful, a Confirmation Page is generated.
- Download and keep it safely; it is not required to be sent to CTET Unit but should be preserved for future reference.
13. Admit Card & Exam Day Instructions
- Admit Card will be available for download from the official CTET website a few weeks before the exam.
- Check all details (name, photo, signature, exam centre, paper, etc.) and contact CTET Unit if there is any mismatch.
- Reporting time at centre:
- Paper II: 7:30 AM (exam starts 9:30 AM)
- Paper I: 12:30 PM (exam starts 2:30 PM)
- Late entry is not allowed after 9:30 AM (Paper II) and 2:30 PM (Paper I).
Items NOT allowed inside the examination hall include:
- Textual material, notes, geometry boxes, calculators, log tables, writing pads
- Mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, smart watches, earphones, cameras, pagers
- Wallets, handbags, ornaments, and any electronic gadgets
Candidates must carry:
- Printed Admit Card
- Valid Photo ID
- Black/Blue ball-point pen (OMR sheet must be filled only with a ball-point pen; pencil is not allowed).
14. Special Provisions for Candidates with Benchmark Disabilities
- Facility of scribe/reader/lab assistant is available as per RPWD Act 2016 guidelines for eligible candidates.
- Up to 50 minutes extra time is given for each paper.
- Separate, large-print question papers are provided for visually impaired candidates.
- Relevant disability certificate in prescribed format must be produced at the centre to avail these facilities.
15. Result, Mark Sheet and Certificate
- CTET result is published on the official website after evaluation of the OMR sheets.
- No re-evaluation or re-checking of results is permitted.
- Digital mark sheets and eligibility certificates are provided through DigiLocker.
- They are digitally signed, carry a secure QR code, and are legally valid under the IT Act.
- DigiLocker account details are sent to the registered mobile number of candidates for downloading documents.
16. Important Note for Visitors of This Page
This page is meant to provide a clear, student-friendly summary of CTET–February 2026 based on the official CTET Information Bulletin issued by CBSE. For any change in dates, eligibility, fees or rules, the information displayed on the official CTET website and the latest Information Bulletin will always take precedence.