CTET Sep 2026 Application Form: Documents Required & Photo Size

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially initiated the online registration process for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) September 2026 session. Running from May 11, 2026, to June 10, 2026, this application window provides aspiring educators across India the opportunity to qualify for primary and elementary teaching positions.

Because the entire registration process is conducted digitally on the official CTET portal (ctet.nic.in), ensuring that all documents, personal credentials, and digital images align perfectly with CBSE guidelines is crucial. Even minor errors or incorrect image dimensions can lead to immediate application rejection. This comprehensive guide outlines every required document, specific image dimensions, and step-by-step verification rules to guarantee a successful and error-free submission.

Important Registration Dates for CTET September 2026

Before gathering materials, keeping track of the official timeline published in the CTET September 2026 Information Bulletin is essential:

Mandatory Specifications for Photograph and Signature

The most frequent reason for application failure or delayed admit cards is the improper upload of scanned files. CBSE enforces strict policies regarding the format, file size, and physical dimensions of the applicant's photograph and signature.

Both files must be saved strictly in JPG or JPEG format.

Digital Image Specification Matrix

Crucial Guidelines for the Passport Photograph

• Recency: The photograph must be recently captured to reflect the current appearance of the applicant. This image will be cross-verified at the examination venue.
• Clarity and Focus: The face must cover at least 80% of the frame, showing a clear, full-face view with both ears completely visible.
• Background: A solid, light-colored or white background is highly recommended. Black and white or heavily filtered pictures are explicitly rejected.
• Accessories: Goggles, caps, or heavily tinted eyewear are prohibited. Regular prescription glasses are permitted only if they do not cause a reflection across the eyes.

Crucial Guidelines for the Scanned Signature

• Ink and Paper: The signature must be penned on clean, unlined white paper using a black or blue ink pen.
• Style: The signature should be written in a regular running hand script. Writing the entire name in capital block letters is unacceptable and will result in technical cancellation.
• Legibility: Ensure that the crop boundary is tight around the signature text, minimizing unnecessary white borders to keep the final file size within the 3 KB to 30 KB parameter.

Essential Academic and Personal Documents Required

Aside from uploading images, specific personal identifiers and academic certificates are necessary to fill out the information fields accurately. These documents do not need to be uploaded as separate PDF attachments, but the information retrieved from them must match the physical records identically.

1. Official Identification Proof

Applicants must provide details from at least one valid, government-issued photo identity card. Acceptable identity options include:

• Aadhaar Card (Enrolment Number or Unique ID)
• PAN Card
• Passport
• Voter Identity Card
• Ration Card with a photograph

2. Educational Qualification Certificates

To accurately complete the eligibility section for Paper I (Classes 1 to 5) or Paper II (Classes 6 to 8), specific certificates should be kept accessible:

• Class 10 and 12 Marksheets: Required to enter exact aggregate percentages, board names, and school pin codes.
• Teaching Degree/Diploma Records: Final passing certificates or current semester admit cards for a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed), 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed), or a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed).
• Institution Details: The exact name, affiliation, and official postal PIN code of the college or university where the teaching qualification was pursued.

3. Category and Disability Certificates (If Applicable)

• Reservation Certificates: Candidates seeking application fee concessions under Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), or Non-Creamy Layer Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) must possess valid caste certificates.
• Medical Disability Certificate: Candidates applying under the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category must reference their valid medical certificate details to secure extra examination time or scribe assistance.

Online Application Step-by-Step Checklist

Completing the application sequence correctly prevents registration bottlenecks:

1. New Registration: Navigate to ctet.nic.in and initialize the "New Registration" sequence. Provide basic details (Full Name, Mother's Name, Father's Name, and Date of Birth) exactly as printed on the Class 10 board certificate. This step generates a unique Application Number.
2. Form Completion: Log back in using the generated Application Number and customized password. Choose the preferred combination of papers, structural exam languages (Language I and Language II), and fill out all academic fields.
3. Document Uploading: Proceed to the document portal to upload the properly compressed photograph and signature files.
4. Fee Payment: Process the non-refundable registration fee using net banking, credit cards, or debit cards.

5. Download Confirmation Page: Once payment clears, the portal generates a downloadable "Confirmation Page". This is the only definitive proof of successful registration and must be saved digitally for future record-keeping.
   

The fee structure for the September 2026 cycle is organized below:

Conclusion

Successfully registering for the CTET September 2026 exam demands rigorous compliance with the document specifications established by CBSE. By proactively formatting passport photographs, securing legible signature files within the designated file boundaries, and verifying academic codes prior to starting, candidates protect their applications from technical rejections.

Because the examination city allotment is handled randomly by CBSE for this session, finalizing registration early gives peace of mind and allows candidates to transition directly into an active, focused preparation routine well before the September test date.

Related posts:

CTET Sep 2026 Apply Online Begins, Direct Registration Link Active CTET Eligibility September 2026: Check Minimum Qualifications for Paper 1 & Paper 2 CTET September 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus PDF Download (Paper 1 & Paper 2) CTET Previous Year Papers PDF with Solutions (2026-2018) – Free Download CTET September 2026 Notification Out PDF Download @ ctet.nic.in CTET vs State TET – Which is Better for Teacher Jobs? What Happens After Clearing CTET? A Complete Career Roadmap Dress Code and Prohibited Items for CTET Feb 2026 Exam Centre