New Delhi, October 24, 2025: In a significant update for millions of teaching aspirants across India, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially announced the date for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026. The examination will be conducted on February 8, 2026, across the country.
The announcement brings clarity and allows candidates to begin their preparations in earnest for one of the most prestigious teaching eligibility tests. According to the official notification, the CTET 2026 will be conducted in twenty languages and spread across 132 cities in India, ensuring wide accessibility.
Key Highlights of CTET 2026
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Exam Date: February 8, 2026
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Conducting Body: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
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Number of Languages: 20
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Exam Cities: 132
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Official Website: ctet.nic.in
The detailed Information Bulletin, which is the comprehensive guide for the exam, will be available soon on the official CTET website. This bulletin will contain all essential details, including:
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Detailed syllabus for Paper I and Paper II
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Eligibility criteria (educational qualifications, etc.)
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Examination fee structure
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List of examination cities
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Important dates for the application cycle
A Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for CTET 2026
The application process for CTET is conducted entirely online. Aspiring candidates can follow these steps to complete their registration once the portal opens:
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Visit the Official Website: Go to ctet.nic.in.
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Click on the Application Link: Find and click on the link that reads “Apply for CTET 2026”.
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Complete Registration: New users need to register by providing basic details to generate a registration ID and password.
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Fill the Application Form: Log in with your credentials and carefully fill in all required personal and academic details.
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Select Exam Preferences: Choose your preferred exam city, the paper you wish to appear for (Paper I or Paper II, or both), and the language of the question paper.
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Upload Documents: Upload a scanned passport-size photograph and your signature in the specified format and size.
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Pay the Application Fee: Proceed to pay the application fee through the available online payment gateways.
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Submit and Print: After successful fee payment, submit the final application form. Download the confirmation page and take a printout for your future records.
CTET 2026 Application Fee
The application fee structure for CTET 2026 is as follows. Payment must be made online.
| Category | Fee for One Paper | Fee for Both Papers |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC | Rs. 1,000 | Rs. 1,200 |
| SC / ST / PwD | Rs. 500 | Rs. 600 |
CTET Exam Pattern: An Overview
The CTET exam is divided into two papers, allowing candidates to qualify for teaching different grade levels.
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Paper I: For candidates who intend to become teachers for Classes I to V (Primary Stage).
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Paper II: For candidates who intend to become teachers for Classes VI to VIII (Elementary Stage).
Candidates aiming to teach from Class I to VIII can choose to appear for both papers.
Key Features of the Exam Pattern:
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Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
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Total Number of Questions: 150 MCQs per paper
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Total Marks: 150 marks per paper
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Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes for each paper
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Marking Scheme: There is no negative marking.
Next Steps for Aspirants
With the exam date now confirmed, teaching aspirants should begin their preparation strategically. The first step is to thoroughly understand the syllabus for the chosen paper(s). Candidates are advised to regularly check the official CTET website, ctet.nic.in, for the release of the detailed Information Bulletin and the commencement of the online application process.
This announcement sets the clock ticking for what is expected to be a highly competitive examination, and early, structured preparation will be key to success.