Dress Code and Prohibited Items for CTET Feb 2026 Exam Centre

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a gateway for aspiring teachers seeking to build careers in central and state government schools across India. While months of preparation focus on mastering concepts and practice tests, many candidates overlook a critical aspect: exam centre rules.

For the CTET February 2026 session, CBSE has laid down strict guidelines regarding dress code, allowed belongings, and prohibited items to ensure a fair and secure examination environment. Even a minor mistake, such as wearing unsuitable attire or carrying a restricted item, can cause unnecessary stress or even lead to disqualification. This article provides a complete, easy-to-follow guide to help candidates enter the exam hall with confidence and clarity.

Dress Code Guidelines for CTET Feb 2026

CBSE does not publish an overly prescriptive fashion list, but guidelines focus on ease of security checks and prevention of unfair practices. Candidates should prioritise comfort, simplicity, and compliance.

1. Clothing Style and Suggestions

Although no mandatory uniform is specified, the following are strongly recommended:

• Simple, light-coloured clothes: Light shades make security checks easier. 
• Plain attire without many accessories: Minimal patterns and no extra zippers or large buttons help avoid delays at frisking. 
• Half-sleeve tops/shirts: Full sleeves may delay or complicate security verification in some centres. 

This approach reduces the likelihood of additional scrutiny and contributes to a smoother entry process.

2. Footwear Protocol

Footwear guidelines aim to facilitate quick inspection:

• Comfortable, flat footwear such as simple sandals or slippers is advisable. 
• Heavy boots, shoes with thick soles, or accessories with metallic parts should be avoided.

3. Jewellery and Accessories

Wearing jewellery or decorative accessories, especially metallic items, can trigger manual frisking. The rule of thumb is:

• Limit jewellery to absolutely no adornments.
• Remove items like bracelets, rings, chokers, or chains before entering the centre. 

4. Religious and Cultural Attire

CBSE allows religious headgear (e.g., hijab or turban) where applicable, but candidates may be required to report earlier for additional security checks. This is consistent with the general practice for national exams to balance religious freedom and fairness.

List of Prohibited Items for CTET Feb 2026 

CTET’s official instructions clearly outline items that must not be taken inside the examination centre. These are a mixture of electronics, personal items, stationery, and other belongings that could compromise the fairness of the examination. 

Below is a detailed, structured overview of these prohibited categories.

1. Electronics & Communication Devices

Category	Examples
Mobile/Phones	Feature phones, smartphones
Wearables	Smartwatches, health bands
Communication Accessories	Bluetooth devices, earphones, microphones
Data Devices	Pen drives, cameras
Unauthorised Electronics	Electronic pens/scanners

Note: All electronic devices of any type are strictly banned. Even switched-off devices are not permitted inside. 

2. Stationery & Study Material

Category	Examples
Writing Tools	Pencils (even for OMR), scales, erasers
Notes/Books	Books, bits of paper, notes
Maths Tools	Calculator, log table
Storage Items	Geometry box, pencil box, plastic pouch

Only ballpoint pens (blue/black) are allowed for filling in details and shading the OMR sheet.

3. Personal Items

Category	Examples
Bags and Carriers	Handbags, wallets, purses
Jewellery/Ornaments	Metallic or artificial ornaments
Accessories	Goggles, belts, wallets

These items may be held at a designated area if provided, but manageability varies by centre.

4. Food & Beverages

• No eatables, snacks, or drinks are permitted inside the exam hall. 

Note: Some centres may allow water in a transparent bottle outside the seating area for hydration.

5. Miscellaneous Items

Category	Examples
Paper/Notepads	Scratch paper, cardboard
Watches	Wrist watches of any kind
Any item used for unfair means	Items used to hide devices or cheat

Allowed Items at the Exam Centre

Although this article focuses mainly on prohibited items and dress code, it is equally important to know what is permitted:

• Admit Card (Printed): Must be carried in hard copy. 
• Valid Photo Identification: Aadhaar, Voter ID, Driving Licence, Passport, etc. 
• Ballpoint Pen (Blue/Black only): For registration and OMR marking. 
• Transparent Water Bottle: Small and clear. 

Frisking and Entry Procedure at CTET Exam Centres

To maintain fairness and examination integrity, CBSE enforces strict security protocols at all CTET examination centres. Candidates must cooperate fully with the verification process, which includes:

• Frisking using handheld metal detectors to identify prohibited metallic or electronic items
• Manual security checks to ensure no concealed materials are carried
• Inspection of clothing with multiple pockets, zippers, or metallic embellishments

Candidates wearing non-compliant attire or carrying restricted items may face additional scrutiny. In some cases, this can lead to delays in entry or denial of access to the examination hall. To avoid inconvenience, candidates are strongly advised to follow the prescribed dress code and carry only permitted items.

Download CTET Feb 2026 Exam Admit Card

Consequences of Non-Compliance

CBSE follows a zero-tolerance policy toward violations of examination guidelines. Failure to comply with the CTET dress code or possession of prohibited items may result in serious consequences, including:

• Denial of entry to the examination hall
• Immediate disqualification from the CTET examination
• Registration of an unfair-means (UFM) case by the Centre Superintendent

All penalties are enforced strictly in accordance with the rules mentioned in the CTET 2026 Information Bulletin. Candidates are therefore advised to carefully review official instructions well in advance and ensure full compliance on the day of the examination.

Also See:

• CTET Feb 2026 City Slip Released: 3 Critical Checks & The “Home Centre” Reality
• Dress Code and Prohibited Items for CTET Feb 2026 Exam Centre
• CTET Admit Card Feb 2026: Release Date & Direct Link
• CTET Tag Words 2026 (Hindi & English): Positive & Negative Keywords to Solve Pedagogy in Seconds
• CTET Feb 2026 Application Correction: Last Chance to Fix Application Mistakes

Conclusion

Understanding the dress code and prohibited items for the CTET Feb 2026 exam is as important as academic preparation. A simple, minimalistic wardrobe combined with strict avoidance of electronic gadgets, personal accessories, and unauthorised stationery will help candidates proceed through security efficiently and focus on performance. Adhering to these rules ensures compliance with CBSE directives and removes last-minute stress on examination day. 

Preparation for CTET is about following official protocols at the exam centre, which lays the foundation for a successful testing experience.