The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially started the CTET February 2026 registration process. Eligible candidates can now apply for the 21st edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) through the official website ctet.nic.in.
The last date to submit the online application form is December 18, 2025. Aspirants aiming to become teachers in central government schools like KVS, NVS, Army Schools, and CBSE-affiliated institutions must appear for CTET, as it remains the mandatory qualification for teaching roles from Classes 1 to 8.
CTET February 2026: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CTET 2026 Registration Begins | 27 November 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 18 December 2025 |
| CTET February 2026 Exam Date | 8 February 2026 (Sunday) |
| Release of Admit Card | Likely in late January 2026 |
The exam will be conducted across 132 cities in India with two papers scheduled on the same day:
- Paper II (Classes 6–8): Morning Shift
- Paper I (Classes 1–5): Afternoon Shift
Eligibility Criteria for CTET 2026
Eligibility varies for Paper I and Paper II. In general:
For Paper I (Primary Teacher: Class 1–5)
- 12th pass with at least 50% marks and
D.El.Ed / B.El.Ed / relevant diploma
OR - Graduation with D.El.Ed
For Paper II (Upper Primary: Class 6–8)
- Graduation with B.Ed
OR - 12th pass + B.El.Ed (4-year)
(Candidates must refer to the detailed Information Bulletin on ctet.nic.in for full conditions.)
CTET 2026 Registration: Application Fees
| Category | Paper I / Paper II | Both Papers |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹1000 | ₹1200 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹500 | ₹600 |
CTET February 2026: Exam Pattern
Paper I (Classes 1–5)
- Child Development & Pedagogy
- Language I
- Language II
- Mathematics
- Environmental Studies
Paper II (Classes 6–8)
- Child Development & Pedagogy
- Language I
- Language II
- Mathematics & Science (for science stream)
- Social Studies (for arts stream)
Both papers follow a 150-mark MCQ format with no negative marking.
How to Apply for CTET February 2026
Follow these steps to complete your CTET 2026 application:
- Visit the official website: ctet.nic.in
- Click on “Apply Online – CTET February 2026”
- Register using basic details
- Fill in the application form
- Upload the required documents
- Pay the exam fee
- Download the confirmation page for future reference
Documents Required
Candidates must upload:
Photograph
- Size: 10–100 KB
- Format: JPG/JPEG
- Dimensions: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm
Signature
- Size: 3–30 KB
- Format: JPG/JPEG
- Dimensions: 3.5 cm × 1.5 cm
Why CTET 2026 Is Important for Teaching Aspirants
CTET qualification is mandatory for recruitment in multiple national-level institutions including:
- Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS)
- Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS)
- Tibetan Schools
- CBSE-affiliated private schools
- Central Government teaching recruitments
The CTET certificate is valid for lifetime, giving aspirants unlimited opportunities to apply for teaching jobs.
CTET 2026: Tips for Aspirants
- Start with NCF & Child Development — Most scoring part
- Practice previous year papers for at least 3 months
- Focus on speed because CTET is knowledge + time management
- Don’t ignore Language I & Language II sections
- Maintain a consistent revision schedule
CTET February 2026: Final Reminder
The registration deadline for CTET February 2026 is 18 December 2025. Aspirants should complete their application early to avoid last-minute issues. Given the competition and the lifetime validity of the certificate, this exam is an excellent opportunity for teaching aspirants across India.
