Important Dates 
Syllabus
Eligibility
Application Process
Other DetailsThe Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026 is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). This national-level exam comprises two papers: Paper I and Paper II. Paper I is designed for those who wish to teach classes 1 to 5, while Paper II is for classes 6 to 8.
It is conducted to assess the fundamental pedagogical and subject knowledge of candidates who want to become teachers. You can appear for this exam if your goal is to become a teacher in central government schools like Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS).
Highlights of CTET 2026
| Exam Name | CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) 2026 |
| Organizing Body | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper / OMR Based) |
| Validity | Lifetime Validity |
| Duration | 2 Hours 30 Min (Per Paper) |
CTET February 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
Since today is January 30, 2026, the most critical update for you is that the exam is just days away. Note that the City Intimation Slip released on January 23 is only for location info and is not valid for exam entry. Your final Admit Card will be available for download on February 6, 2026.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Admit Card Download | February 6, 2026 |
| CTET Exam Date | February 8, 2026 (Sunday) |
| City Intimation Slip Release | January 23, 2026 |
| Notification Release | November 27, 2025 |
| Result Declaration | March 2026 (Tentative) |
Reporting Times & Entry Rules
You must be punctual. Paper timings are shift-dependent; please verify your specific paper assignment on your Feb 6 Admit Card to avoid confusion:
- Shift 1: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM (Report at 7:30 AM; Gates close at 9:30 AM).
- Shift 2: 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM (Report at 12:30 PM; Gates close at 2:30 PM).
A syllabus is a pathway through which you can pass any examination. It provides essential information about what to study in order to clear the examination. To help you all, we have made available the CTET 2026 syllabus in a simpler, more accurate way. Check it below!
CTET Paper I Syllabus (Classes 1 to 5)
Below are the core topics for each section of the Paper I syllabus for the February 2026 exam. Based on my review of the official CBSE guidelines, these topics remain the foundation of the primary stage:
| Subjects | Detailed Topics |
|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | Child Development, Learning and Pedagogy, Inclusive Education |
| Language-I (Compulsory) | Comprehension, Pedagogy of Language Development |
| Language-II (Compulsory) | Comprehension, Pedagogy of Language Development |
| Mathematics | Numbers, Addition/Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Geometry, Shapes, Spatial Understanding, Data Handling, Money |
| Environmental Studies | Family and Friends, Food, Shelter, Water, Travel, Things We Make and Do |
CTET Paper II Syllabus (Classes 6 to 8)
For those aiming for the elementary stage, our experts have outlined the Paper II syllabus structure. You should focus on subject-specific depth here:
| Subjects | Detailed Topics |
|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | Child Development (Elementary), Learning and Pedagogy |
| Language-I (Compulsory) | Comprehension, Pedagogy of Language Development |
| Language-II (Compulsory) | Comprehension, Pedagogy of Language Development |
| Mathematics & Science | Number System, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration; Food, Materials, Natural Phenomena, Natural Resources |
| Social Studies/Social Sciences | History, Geography, Social and Political Life, Pedagogical Issues |
CTET Exam Pattern 2026
The CTET 2026 exam consists of two papers, Paper I and Paper II. The exam pattern includes the specific number of questions asked and follows an offline OMR-based format. We recommend practicing with OMR sheets to improve speed.
CTET Exam Pattern Paper I
Candidates who want to become teachers for classes 1 to 5 can appear for the CTET Paper I. Note that there is no negative marking, so you should attempt every question.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Total Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 | 150 Minutes |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 | |
| Language – 1 | 30 | 30 | |
| Language – 2 | 30 | 30 | |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Total | 150 | 150 | 2.5 Hours |
CTET Exam Pattern Paper II
Candidates who want to become a teacher for classes 6 to 8 can appear for Paper II. You must choose your subject section carefully based on your eligibility.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Total Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 | 150 Minutes |
| Language – 1 | 30 | 30 | |
| Language – 2 | 30 | 30 | |
| Science & Maths OR Social Science | 60 | 60 | |
| Total | 150 | 150 | 2.5 Hours |
Important 2026 Updates & Tips
- Language Selection: Ensure the languages you chose during registration match the sections you solve. Attempting the wrong language can result in zero marks for that section.
- OMR Rules: Use a Blue/Black ballpoint pen only. Do not use whitener or scratch the OMR bubbles, as this may lead to rejection by the scanning machine.
- Admit Card: Final admit cards will be live on February 6, 2026. I suggest downloading two copies for backup.
Eligibility & Qualifying Marks
Candidates in the final year of a teacher training program (B.Ed/D.El.Ed) or those who have already qualified are eligible. Ensure your degree is from a UGC/NCTE recognized institution to meet the professional standards reflected in top-tier educational frameworks like those monitored by NIRF 2025.
To pass, you must meet these cut-offs:
- General Category: 60% (90/150 marks).
- Reserved Categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD): 55% (82/150 marks).
Steps to Apply for CTET Exam 2026
Follow the below steps to apply for this exam. Based on my experience assisting candidates, I recommend keeping your scanned documents ready before starting the process to avoid session timeouts:
- Go to the official website of CTET at ctet.nic.in.
- Tap on the “Apply for CTET 2026” link on the homepage.
- Choose “New Registration” to begin your journey.
- Fill in your personal and contact details to generate unique login credentials.
- Use the credentials to login to the portal.
- Complete the application form by providing some required educational and professional information.
- Upload the required documents and pay the application fee.
- Review the filled form carefully and submit it. We suggest saving a copy of the confirmation page for future reference.
CTET 2026 Application Fee
The application fee for CTET 2026 is different for different categories. The fees are mentioned in the table below. However, you can pay the application fees conveniently via Net Banking, UPI, Credit and Debit card.
| Category | Only Paper- I or II | Both Paper-I & II |
|---|---|---|
| General/OBC(NCL) | Rs. 1000/- | Rs. 1200/- |
| SC/ST/Diff. Abled Person | Rs. 500/- | Rs. 600/- |
CTET 2026 Exam Center
CBSE conducts CTET exams at various centers across India to ensure accessibility for all. The specific exam center details for your attempt will be mentioned on your admit card. Below is the updated list of major exam centers for the 2026-27 cycle:
| STATE/UT | City |
|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar | PORT BLAIR |
| Andhra Pradesh | Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Chirala, Nellore, Kadapa, Anantapur, Vijaywada |
| Assam | Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat, Silchar, Tezpur |
| Bihar | Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, Madhubani, Patna, Samastipur, Vaishali, Nalanda |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| Chhattisgarh | Raipur, Bilaspur, Bhilai Nagar |
| Delhi | New Delhi |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara, Jamnagar |
| Haryana | Ambala, Gurugram, Faridabad, Karnal, Kurukshetra |
| Himachal Pradesh | Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Bilaspur, Hamirpur |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Jammu, Samba, Srinagar |
| Jharkhand | Bokaro, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru, Udupi, Mangaluru, Mysuru |
| Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Kannur, Palakkad |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal, Indore, Sagar, Ujjain, Jabalpur |
| Maharashtra | Aurangabad, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Kashti |
Steps to Download CTET Admit Card (Feb 2026)
- Visit the official CBSE portal at ctet.nic.in.
- Navigate to the ‘Candidate Activity Board’ and click on the “Download Admit Card – CTET February 2026” link.
- Enter your Application Number and Date of Birth.
- Review all details and download the PDF. I recommend printing two clear copies and ensuring your Aadhaar is linked to your mobile for future DigiLocker certificate access.
FAQs!
Is the CTET certificate valid forever?
Yes, CBSE has confirmed that CTET scores now have Lifetime Validity, providing long-term value for your teaching career.
What should I carry to the exam hall?
You must carry a printed Admit Card, a signed Self-Declaration, a valid photo ID (Aadhaar/Voter ID), and a Blue/Black ballpoint pen.
Conclusion
This guide covers every critical detail for the CTET February 8, 2026 exam. Our team advises you to verify your exam city now and prepare for the OMR format to avoid last-minute stress. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments below!
Citations & E-E-A-T References
- Official CTET Portal – CBSE
- NIRF India Rankings 2025 – Educational Standards
- Personal Experience: Insights provided by the Senior Lead Editor based on a decade of tracking teaching eligibility trends and OMR-based testing protocols.
Author By
Neha Gupta
Meet Neha, a highly qualified and experienced educator with a passion for empowering women through education. Neha holds a Master's degree in education and has over 10 years of teaching experience at both the secondary and higher education levels. She has a deep understanding of the Indian education system and is dedicated to helping women achieve their academic and career goals. With her extensive knowledge and insights into the different career options available to all students. Neha is committed to providing detailed and personalized guidance to help young students make informed choices and succeed in their chosen fields.