Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the official Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) September 2026 notification, inviting eligible Indian candidates to apply online for multiple vacancies across Primary and Junior levels. This is a Central Government teaching eligibility test with no fixed salary as it's an eligibility exam. The last date to submit the online application is 10 June 2026.
The CTET exam is a crucial gateway for aspiring teachers in India, aiming to ensure a minimum standard for teaching professionals in government and private schools. With lakhs of candidates appearing each year, competition is intense. Clearing CTET significantly enhances career prospects in the education sector, offering pathways to government teaching jobs and improved credibility in private institutions. The exam assesses a candidate's aptitude for teaching, pedagogical skills, and subject matter knowledge.
The selection process for CTET involves a written examination comprising two papers: Paper I for Primary Teachers (Class I-V) and Paper II for Trained Graduate Teachers (Class VI-VIII). Candidates must achieve the minimum qualifying marks to be declared CTET qualified. The entire process, from application to result declaration, is managed by the CBSE, ensuring a transparent and standardized assessment.
| Event | Important Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Released | 11 May 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 11 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 10 June 2026 |
| Last Date for Application Fee Payment | 10 June 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 15-18 June 2026 |
| Exam Date | 06 September 2026 |
| Admit Card Release Date | 04 September 2026 (Approx. 2 Days Before Exam) |
| Result Declaration | October 2026 |
The CTET September 2026 is an eligibility test, and the number of vacancies is not specified in the notification. However, candidates must achieve the minimum qualifying marks to be declared CTET qualified.
| Level | Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I & Paper II | General / OBC / EWS | 60% (150 out of 300 marks) |
| Paper I & Paper II | SC / ST / PwD | 55% (135 out of 300 marks) |
Note: Candidates scoring 60% or more in the CTET exam are considered qualified. For SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates, the qualifying marks may be relaxed as per government rules, provided they score at least 55% marks.
For CTET Primary Level (Class I to V):
For CTET Junior Level (Class VI to VIII):
Candidates pursuing any of the teacher education courses recognized by the NCTE or the RCI, as the case may be, are also eligible to appear for CTET.
CTET is an eligibility test and does not offer direct employment or salary. Candidates who qualify CTET can apply for teaching positions in various schools (government and private) where the salary structure will be determined by the respective recruiting body or school management as per the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) or other applicable pay scales.
| Candidate Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| For Single Paper (Paper I OR Paper II) | General / OBC / EWS: ₹1000/- |
| SC / ST / PH: ₹500/- | |
| For Both Papers (Paper I AND Paper II) | General / OBC / EWS: ₹1200/- |
| SC / ST / PH: ₹600/- | |
| Accepted Payment Modes | Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, E Challan |
The selection process for CTET September 2026 involves a written examination:
There is no interview or document verification process for the CTET itself, as it is an eligibility test. The CTET certificate is valid for life.
The CTET exam consists of two papers, conducted in CBT mode. Each paper will have 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), and each correct answer carries one mark. There is no negative marking.
| Section / Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 | 150 Minutes (2.5 Hours) | No Negative Marking |
| Language I (Hindi / English / Other Languages) | 30 | 30 | ||
| Language II (Choose one from the list, different from Language I) | 30 | 30 | ||
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 | ||
| Environmental Studies (EVS) | 30 | 30 | ||
| Total | 150 | 150 |
| Section / Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 | 150 Minutes (2.5 Hours) | No Negative Marking |
| Language I (Hindi / English / Other Languages) | 30 | 30 | ||
| Language II (Choose one from the list, different from Language I) | 30 | 30 | ||
| Mathematics and Science (For Maths/Science Teachers) OR Social Studies (For Social Studies Teachers) | 60 | 60 | ||
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Note: Candidates appearing for both papers will be given 300 minutes (5 hours) to complete both exams.
Follow these steps to fill the CTET September 2026 online application form before the last date:
⚠️ Pro Tip from our experts: Apply well before the deadline. Government portals often experience high traffic and technical glitches in the final days, which can lead to failed submissions. Ensure your exam city preference is selected early as slots are limited.
Keep the following documents and details ready before starting the online application:
| Apply Online | 🚀 Apply Now |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here ↗ |
| Official Website | Click Here ↗ |
The last date to apply online for the CTET September 2026 examination is 10 June 2026. Candidates are advised to complete their application and fee payment before this deadline to avoid any last-minute issues.
CTET is an eligibility test and does not offer direct employment or salary. Candidates who qualify CTET can apply for teaching positions in various schools where the salary will be determined by the respective recruiting body as per government norms.
There is no specified minimum or maximum age limit for appearing in the CTET September 2026 examination. However, age relaxation may apply as per Central Government rules for specific categories if applying for a government teaching post after qualifying CTET.
To apply online for CTET September 2026, visit the official CTET website, click on the apply online link, complete the new registration, fill in the application form, upload photograph and signature, pay the fee, and submit the form. Save the confirmation page.
The selection process for CTET September 2026 involves a written examination (Computer Based Test - CBT) comprising Paper I and Paper II. Candidates need to score the minimum qualifying marks to be declared CTET qualified. There is no interview or document verification for the CTET exam itself.
Yes, there is an application fee for CTET September 2026. For a single paper, the fee is ₹1000 for General/OBC/EWS and ₹500 for SC/ST/PH. For both papers, it is ₹1200 for General/OBC/EWS and ₹600 for SC/ST/PH.
For CTET September 2026 application, you need a valid email ID, mobile number, scanned photograph (10-200 KB), scanned signature (3-30 KB), and details for fee payment. Educational qualification details and category certificates (if applicable) should also be ready.
For Primary Level (Class I-V), Senior Secondary with 50% marks and 2-year D.El.Ed or equivalent is required. For Junior Level (Class VI-VIII), Graduation with 50% marks and B.Ed or 2-year D.El.Ed is required. Specific details vary, refer to the notification.
The CTET September 2026 admit card is expected to be released approximately 2 days before the exam date, which is 06 September 2026. Therefore, the admit card is likely to be available around 04 September 2026.
The CTET September 2026 result is expected to be declared in October 2026. Candidates can check their results on the official CTET website once they are officially announced by the CBSE.