CTET Sep 2026 Apply Online Begins, Direct Registration Link Active

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the notification for the 22nd edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) for the September 2026 session. This national-level examination serves as the gateway for aspiring teachers to qualify for positions in Central Government schools, including Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS), and other CBSE-affiliated institutions.

With the registration portal now active at ctet.nic.in, candidates are encouraged to complete their applications well before the deadline to ensure their eligibility for the upcoming recruitment cycles.

CTET September 2026: Key Dates and Schedule

Understanding the timeline is the first step for any candidate. The registration window is relatively short, and late submissions are not entertained. Below is the official schedule for the September 2026 cycle:

Download CTET Sep 2026 Notification PDF

Eligibility Criteria for Paper I and Paper II

Eligibility for CTET is divided into two categories based on the level of classes a candidate intends to teach. It is mandatory to fulfill the minimum educational qualifications as per the NCTE (National Council for Teacher Education) guidelines.

Primary Stage (Paper I: Classes I to V)

Candidates must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
• Senior Secondary with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education in accordance with NCTE Regulations.
• Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).

Elementary Stage (Paper II: Classes VI to VIII)

Candidates must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Graduation and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
• Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in a 1-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed) or 2-year B.Ed program.
• Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year B.El.Ed or B.A./B.Sc.Ed or B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed.

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply Online

The application process is entirely digital. Candidates should follow these steps to ensure their application is submitted correctly:

1. Registration: Visit the official website at ctet.nic.in. Click on the "Apply for CTET Sep 2026" link. New users must click on "New Registration," read the information bulletin carefully, and provide basic details like name, date of birth, and contact information to generate an Application Number.
2. Fill Application Form: Log in using the Application Number and Password. Fill in the detailed form, including educational qualifications, choice of papers (Paper I, Paper II, or both), and preference for exam languages.
3. Upload Documents: Upload a scanned copy of a recent passport-sized photograph and signature in JPG/JPEG format. Ensure the images meet the size specifications mentioned in the bulletin to avoid rejection.
4. Payment of Fee: Pay the examination fee through online modes (Net Banking, Debit Card, or Credit Card).
5. Print Confirmation Page: Once the payment is successful, download and print the "Confirmation Page." This is a crucial document for future reference and will not be sent via post.

Direct Link to Apply for CTET Sep 2026

Application Fee Structure

The fee depends on the category of the candidate and the number of papers they choose to attempt.

Exam Pattern and Structure

The CTET September 2026 exam will be conducted in an offline (Pen-and-Paper) mode using OMR sheets. Each paper consists of 150 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) to be completed within 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes).

Paper I Structure (Primary Stage)

• Child Development and Pedagogy: 30 Questions (30 Marks)
• Language I (Compulsory): 30 Questions (30 Marks)
• Language II (Compulsory): 30 Questions (30 Marks)
• Mathematics: 30 Questions (30 Marks)
• Environmental Studies: 30 Questions (30 Marks)

Paper II Structure (Elementary Stage)

• Child Development and Pedagogy: 30 Questions (30 Marks)
• Language I (Compulsory): 30 Questions (30 Marks)
• Language II (Compulsory): 30 Questions (30 Marks)
• Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies/Social Science: 60 Questions (60 Marks)

Note: There is no negative marking in the CTET examination. Each correct answer earns 1 mark.

Important Change in Exam City Allotment

A significant update for the September 2026 session is the change in how examination cities are allotted. Unlike previous sessions where candidates could select their preferred city, CBSE has announced that the allotment of the examination city will be done on a random basis. Requests for changing the allotted city will not be entertained under any circumstances. Therefore, candidates should be prepared to travel to the assigned center within their region.

Final Words 

The CTET qualification is a career-defining certification for those looking to enter the teaching profession in India. Since the certificate now holds lifetime validity, qualifying once provides long-term benefits for future job applications. Aspiring teachers are advised to start their preparation early, focusing on the NCERT syllabus and pedagogical concepts. With the registration portal now active, the priority should be to complete the application process accurately before the June 10 deadline to avoid any last-minute technical hurdles. For official updates and the direct registration link, candidates must rely solely on the official website at ctet.nic.in.

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