The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has opened online applications for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026. Students and job seekers who want to become teachers for Classes 1 to 8 can apply. The application window started on November 27, 2025 , and closes on December 18, 2025 . The CTET exam helps people get jobs as teachers in government schools across India. Interested candidates must apply online through the official website, ctet.nic.in .
The CTET 2026 exam is scheduled for February 08, 2026 . This test is important for those aspiring to teach at the primary level (Classes 1-5) or elementary level (Classes 6-8).
Important Dates
Make sure to remember these key dates for CTET 2026:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | November 27, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | December 18, 2025 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | December 18, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | February 2026 |
| CTET Exam Date | February 08, 2026 |
| Result Date | To be announced later |
Application Fee
Candidates must pay an application fee to complete their registration. The fee depends on the category and the number of papers a candidate chooses to appear for:
| Category | For One Paper (Paper 1 or Paper 2) | For Both Papers (Paper 1 & Paper 2) |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹1000/- | ₹1200/- |
| SC / ST / PH (Persons with Disabilities) | ₹500/- | ₹600/- |
You can pay the examination fee online using a Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or offline using an E-Challan.
Age Limit
There is no upper age limit for applying to CTET 2026. However, candidates must be at least 17 years old to be eligible.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for CTET, candidates need specific educational qualifications for each level. It is important to meet these requirements:
For CTET Level 1 (Teaching Classes 1 to 5)
- You must have passed Senior Secondary (Class 12th) or its equivalent with at least 50% marks . AND
- You must have passed or are in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education. OR
- You must have passed Senior Secondary (Class 12th) or its equivalent with at least 45% marks . AND
- You must have passed or are in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (as per NCTE 2002 norms). OR
- You must have passed Senior Secondary (Class 12th) or its equivalent with at least 50% marks . AND
- You must have passed or are in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed). OR
- You must have passed Senior Secondary (Class 12th) or its equivalent with at least 50% marks . AND
- You must have passed or are in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education).
For CTET Level 2 (Teaching Classes 6 to 8)
- You must have a Bachelor’s Degree. AND
- You must have passed or are in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education. OR
- You must have a Bachelor’s Degree with at least 50% marks . AND
- You must have passed or are in the final year of a 1-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed). OR
- You must have a Bachelor’s Degree with at least 45% marks . AND
- You must have passed or are in the final year of a 1-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed) (as per NCTE norms). OR
- You must have passed Senior Secondary (Class 12th) or its equivalent with at least 50% marks . AND
- You must have passed or are in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor in Elementary Education (B.El.Ed). OR
- You must have passed Senior Secondary (Class 12th) or its equivalent with at least 50% marks . AND
- You must have passed or are in the final year of a 4-year B.A/B.Sc.Ed or B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed. OR
- You must have a Bachelor’s Degree with at least 50% marks . AND
- You must have passed or are in the final year of a 1-year B.Ed. (Special Education).
Candidates appearing in the final year of any of the required teacher training courses are also eligible to apply.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The CTET exam is a written test. Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 will have 150 questions for 150 marks , to be completed in 2.5 hours (150 minutes) .
CTET Paper 1 (For Classes 1 to 5)
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Language II (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
CTET Paper 2 (For Classes 6 to 8)
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Language II (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies & Social Science | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Teacher’s Salary (Expected)
Those who qualify CTET may find teaching jobs with the following pay scales:
- CTET Level 1 (Class 1 to 5) Teachers: Pay Scale of ₹9,300/- to ₹34,800/- with Grade Pay of ₹4200/- .
- CTET Level 2 (Class 6 to 8) Teachers: Pay Scale of ₹9,300/- to ₹34,800/- with Grade Pay of ₹4600/- .
Other allowances will be given as per government rules.
Selection Process
The selection process for CTET involves these steps:
- Written Exam
- Merit List preparation (based on exam scores)
- Document Verification
How to Apply Online for CTET 2026
Follow these simple steps to fill out your CTET 2026 application form:
- Visit the official CTET website: ctet.nic.in .
- Look for the link to ‘Apply Online for CTET February 2026’ and click on it.
- Register yourself by providing basic details.
- Fill in the application form with all your personal and educational details.
- Upload scanned copies of required documents, such as your photograph and signature.
- Pay the application fee online using your preferred payment method.
- Review all the details carefully before final submission.
- Print a copy of your submitted application form for future reference.
For more detailed information, candidates should visit the official website ctet.nic.in and read the full information bulletin.