CTET September 2026: Notification Out, Apply Before 10 June

The CTET September 2026 last date to apply online is 10 June 2026, and applications opened today, 11 May 2026. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the Information Bulletin for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test, covering Paper I (Classes I–V) and Paper II (Classes VI–VIII). The exam is scheduled for 6 September 2026 (Sunday). A key detail most candidates miss: the CTET qualifying certificate is now valid for a lifetime for all categories – there is no renewal required.

Based on official CTET Information Bulletin by CBSE. Verified: May 2026.

Quick Eligibility Check

For Paper II, not selecting your subject at the time of application is a non-recoverable error specific to CTET – unlike most other exams, CBSE will forfeit your fee and reject the form without any prior warning.

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Important Dates

Applying in the first two weeks gives you time to use the corrections window (15–18 June) if any detail needs fixing – after 18 June, no change is accepted under any circumstances.

Exam Structure and Paper Analysis

CTET 2026 has two distinct papers. Paper I targets aspiring teachers for Classes I–V; Paper II targets Classes VI–VIII. A candidate who wants to teach both levels must appear in both papers separately. Both papers are 150 MCQs, 150 marks, 2.5 hours each – and crucially, there is no negative marking. This is a significant advantage over exams like SSC CGL or IBPS, where wrong answers carry a penalty.

In case candidate numbers are very high, CBSE may also conduct the exam on 5 September 2026 (Saturday). Exam city and date will be allotted randomly – candidates cannot request a change.

Application Fee

GST will be charged extra by the bank. Fee once paid is non-refundable under all circumstances. A common mistake on the CTET portal: candidates who pay via net banking and see a “not successful” status must pay again immediately – the transaction was not completed, and the amount will not be auto-adjusted.

Qualifying Marks and Certificate Validity

A candidate scoring 60% or more (90 out of 150) is considered CTET qualified. SC/ST, OBC, and differently-abled candidates may be given concessions in qualifying marks by school managements as per their reservation policy – this is at the discretion of the recruiting authority, not CBSE. The CTET certificate is valid for a lifetime for all categories with no restriction on the number of attempts. A qualified candidate can also reappear to improve their score.

Exam Syllabus

Paper I Syllabus (Classes I–V)

Paper II Syllabus (Classes VI–VIII)

The question paper is bilingual (Hindi and English). Candidates choose two languages (Language I and Language II) from 27 available options including Hindi, English, Punjabi, Urdu, Sanskrit, Tamil, and others. Language II must be different from Language I. Questions in Paper I are based on NCERT syllabus for Classes I–V but difficulty may extend up to secondary level. Paper II questions are based on Classes VI–VIII NCERT but difficulty may extend to senior secondary level.

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How to Apply

1. Go to the CTET official website (ctet.nic.in) or CBSE website (cbse.gov.in) and click “Apply Online”.
2. Fill the Authentication Form with State, Identity type, Name, Date of Birth, and Gender exactly as per your Class X certificate.
3. Complete the full Online Application Form, choose a strong password (8–13 characters, mix of upper/lower case, number, and special character), and note your Registration Number.
4. Select the two languages you wish to appear in (Language I and Language II – must be different).
5. For Paper II applicants: select your subject (Mathematics & Science or Social Science) – failure to do this will result in automatic rejection.
6. Upload scanned photograph (JPG/JPEG, 10–100 KB, 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm) and signature (JPG/JPEG, 3–30 KB, 3.5 cm × 1.5 cm).
7. Pay the examination fee via Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking. Do not use demand draft, money order, or any offline mode – these are rejected outright.
8. Print and retain the Confirmation Page for future reference. You do not need to send it to CTET Unit, but keep it until result declaration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CTET certificate valid for lifetime or does it expire?

The CTET qualifying certificate is valid for a lifetime for all categories as per the current rules. There is no expiry date and no renewal process. Candidates who qualified in earlier attempts do not need to reappear unless they wish to improve their score.

What is the application fee for CTET September 2026?

General and OBC (NCL) candidates pay ₹1,000 for a single paper and ₹1,200 for both papers. SC/ST and Differently Abled candidates pay ₹500 for one paper and ₹600 for both. GST is charged extra by the bank, and the fee is non-refundable once paid.

What is the last date to apply for CTET September 2026?

The last date for both application submission and fee payment is 10 June 2026 by 11:59 PM. No extension has been announced. Online corrections are allowed from 15–18 June 2026 only, and no changes are permitted after that window.

Is there negative marking in CTET 2026?

No. All questions are MCQs carrying one mark each, and there is no negative marking for wrong answers. This means candidates should attempt every question – leaving answers blank is a disadvantage.

Can final year B.Ed students apply for CTET 2026?

Yes. Candidates appearing in their final qualifying examination are eligible to apply. They should select “Appearing in Final Exam” in the status field on the application form. However, final eligibility is verified by the recruiting authority at the time of appointment, not by CBSE.

What is the minimum qualifying score for CTET?

A candidate must score 60% or more – that is, 90 out of 150 marks – to be considered CTET qualified. School managements may offer concessions in qualifying marks to SC/ST, OBC, and differently-abled candidates in accordance with their reservation policies.

Is B.Ed mandatory for CTET Paper II, or is D.El.Ed accepted?

Minimum qualifications for CTET are governed by NCTE regulations, which allow multiple qualifying degrees depending on the paper and the school category. B.Ed is typically required for Paper II, but D.El.Ed and equivalent qualifications may be accepted for certain positions. Candidates must verify their specific qualification on the NCTE website (ncte.gov.in) before applying, as CBSE does not verify eligibility at the application stage.

What documents are needed on the day of the CTET examination?

Candidates must carry the e-Admit Card downloaded from the CTET website and a valid government photo ID. Biometric authentication may be introduced at some centres. Mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices, and calculators are strictly prohibited inside the examination hall.