The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) February 2026 is a national-level qualifying examination conducted by CBSE for candidates aspiring to become teachers in government schools, central schools (KVS/NVS), state-aided schools, and private institutions that accept CTET scores.
How to Apply Online for CTET 2026
- Visit the official CTET website.
- Open “CTET February 2026 Online Application”.
- Register with name, mobile number and email ID.
- Fill the application form — personal, academic and exam centre details.
- Select Paper I / Paper II / Both.
- Upload scanned documents —
- Photograph
- Signature
- Educational certificates
- Category/PwD certificate
- Pay the exam fee online.
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page.
- Save the application number for admit card download.
Important Links
- Apply Online: Click Here
- Public Notice PDF: Click Here
- Detailed Notification: Click Here
- Official Website: https://ctet.nic.in/
Important Dates
- Application Begin: 27 November 2025
- Last Date to Apply Online: 18 December 2025 (till 11:59 PM)
- Last Date for Fee Payment: 18 December 2025
- Correction Window: To be announced
- CTET Exam Date: 08 February 2026
- Admit Card Release: To be announced
- Result Announcement: To be announced
Application Fee
Single Paper (Paper I or Paper II):
- General/OBC/EWS: ₹1,000
- SC/ST/PwD: ₹500
Both Papers (Paper I + Paper II):
- General/OBC/EWS: ₹1,200
- SC/ST/PwD: ₹600
Payment Mode: Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking only.
Eligibility Criteria
Paper I (Primary Stage: Classes I–V) – Eligibility
Any one of the following (simplified):
- Senior Secondary with 50% + passed/appearing in D.El.Ed (2 years)
- Senior Secondary with 45% + D.El.Ed as per NCTE norms
- Senior Secondary with 50% + B.El.Ed (4 years)
- Senior Secondary with 50% + Diploma in Special Education
- Graduation + D.El.Ed (final year or passed)
- 5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/PwD candidates.
Paper II (Upper Primary Stage: Classes VI–VIII) – Eligibility
Any one of the following:
- Graduation + D.El.Ed (2 years)
- Graduation with 50% + B.Ed
- Graduation with 45% + B.Ed as per NCTE norms
- Senior Secondary with 50% + B.El.Ed (4 years)
- Senior Secondary with 50% + B.A/B.Sc.Ed or B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed
- Graduation with 50% + B.Ed (Special Education)
- 5% relaxation for reserved categories as applicable.
Age Limit
- Minimum: 18 years
- Maximum: No upper age limit
CTET Paper Details
Total Papers: 2
| Paper | Description | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | For Primary Teachers (Classes I–V) | For candidates applying to teach primary level |
| Paper II | For Upper Primary (Classes VI–VIII) | For candidates applying to teach middle-level classes |
Candidates may apply for either one or both papers.
CTET Exam Pattern
Paper I Pattern (Primary)
- Child Development & Pedagogy – 30 questions
- Language I – 30 questions
- Language II – 30 questions
- Mathematics – 30 questions
- Environmental Studies – 30 questions
- Total: 150 questions, 150 marks
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Negative Marking: No
Paper II Pattern (Upper Primary)
- Child Development & Pedagogy – 30
- Language I – 30
- Language II – 30
- Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies – 60
- Total: 150 questions, 150 marks
- Duration: 2.5 hours
CTET Competition Level (Analysis)
- Expected applicants: 20–25 lakh+
- Competition ratio: Approx 1:50
- Difficulty level: Moderate to high
- Qualifying marks:
- General: 60% (90 out of 150)
- Reserved categories: 55%
CTET Certificate Validity
- Lifetime validity
- Usable for recruitment in KVS, NVS, Kendriya/State Government Schools, Army Schools, ERDO, and many private institutions.
Salary After Qualifying CTET
(Actual salary depends on the school/department recruiting)
- Primary Teacher (PRT): Level 6 → ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400
- Upper Primary Teacher (TGT): Level 7 → ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400
Includes DA, HRA, TA, Medical, Pension (as per post).
CTET Exam Centres
- Conducted across all major Indian cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Jaipur, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad etc.
- Candidate must choose 3 centres — allocation depends on availability.
- Centre change is not allowed after form submission.
Documents Required
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Signature (scanned)
- Class X certificate (DOB proof)
- Senior Secondary / Graduation mark sheets
- D.El.Ed / B.Ed certificates (if applicable)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC)
- PwD certificate (if applicable)
- Valid ID (Aadhaar / PAN / Voter ID / Passport)
CTET FAQs (researched & updated)
Q1. Is CTET mandatory for government teaching jobs?
Yes. CTET is essential for KVS, NVS and most central/state-aided schools.
Q2. Can I apply for both CTET papers together?
Yes. You can apply for Paper I, Paper II, or Both Papers.
Q3. What is the passing score for CTET?
- General: 60%
- Reserved categories: 55%
Q4. What is the age limit for CTET?
Minimum age is 18; there is no upper age limit.
Q5. Is there negative marking in CTET?
No. CTET has no negative marking.
Q6. How many times is CTET conducted in a year?
Usually twice — January/February & July/August sessions.
Q7. What is the validity of CTET certificate?
Lifetime validity.
Q8. What is the exam mode?
Offline (pen-and-paper OMR).
Q9. Can B.Ed candidates apply for Primary (Paper I)?
Yes — Graduation + D.El.Ed/B.Ed combinations qualify.
(B.Ed candidates must verify the specific NCTE norms in the notification.)
Q10. How many times can I attempt CTET?
Unlimited attempts — no restriction.