New Delhi, December 16, 2025:
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) February 2026 application process is entering its final phase. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has confirmed that the online registration window will close on December 18, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Candidates who have not yet applied must act immediately to avoid missing this crucial opportunity.
Applications can only be submitted through the official website, ctet.nic.in. With server traffic usually increasing on the last day, aspirants are strongly advised not to wait until the final hours.
CTET is a mandatory qualifying exam for candidates seeking teaching positions in Classes 1 to 8 in central government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS), along with many state and private schools that accept CTET scores.
CTET February 2026: Important Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | November 27, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply & Pay Fee | December 18, 2025 (11:59 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | December 23 to December 26, 2025 |
| CTET Exam Date | February 8, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (OMR-based) |
CTET Papers and Eligibility Overview
The CTET examination is conducted in two papers, based on the teaching level.
Paper I (Primary Level)
- For candidates intending to teach Classes 1 to 5
Paper II (Upper Primary Level)
- For candidates intending to teach Classes 6 to 8
Candidates may apply for either one paper or both, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
Educational Qualification (Brief Summary)
For Paper I (Classes 1–5)
Candidates must generally have:
- Senior Secondary (10+2) with at least 50% marks, and
- A 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.), or
- A 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.), or
- Other equivalent qualifications mentioned in the official notification.
For Paper II (Classes 6–8)
Candidates must generally have:
- Graduation, and
- A 2-year D.El.Ed., or
- Graduation with 50% marks and a B.Ed. degree.
👉 Final-year students of recognized teacher training courses are also eligible.
👉 There is no upper age limit to appear for the CTET exam.
CTET Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
Each paper consists of 150 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for 150 marks.
The exam duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes per paper.
Paper I Structure (Classes 1–5)
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 |
| Language I | 30 |
| Language II | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 |
| Total | 150 |
Paper II Structure (Classes 6–8)
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 |
| Language I | 30 |
| Language II | 30 |
| Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies | 60 |
| Total | 150 |
Marking Rules
- +1 mark for each correct answer
- No negative marking for wrong answers
CTET Qualifying Marks
| Category | Minimum Marks |
|---|---|
| General | 60% (90 out of 150) |
| SC / ST / OBC / PwD | 55% (82 out of 150) |
CTET Certificate Validity: Lifetime Benefit
As per NCTE guidelines, the CTET qualifying certificate is now valid for a lifetime. Once qualified, candidates do not need to reappear for CTET, although retaking the exam to improve the score is allowed.
This change has made CTET a one-time, career-long qualification, significantly increasing its importance for aspiring teachers.
Important Advisory for Candidates
- Exam city allotment will be random.
- Requests for change of exam city will not be accepted.
- Complete the application well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.
Final Reminder
The CTET application deadline is December 18, 2025. Candidates who miss this date will have to wait for the next cycle. Apply now and shift your full focus to preparation for the February 8, 2026 examination.
