The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) was conducted on 7 February 2026 as part of the February 2026 session by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The test is a national-level eligibility exam for individuals aspiring to teach at government and government-aided schools in India, covering Classes I–VIII. CTET 2026 was held over two days, 7 and 8 Feb 2026, due to a notable increase in registrations, with Paper-II scheduled on the morning of 7 Feb and Paper-I later in the day.
This analysis focuses on 7 Feb 2026, mainly the Paper-II (morning shift) and Paper-I (afternoon shift), based on initial student reactions, expert reports, and official structure.
CTET 2026: Exam Structure & Pattern Overview
Before reviewing the day’s performance and difficulty, it’s important to understand the exam format set by the CBSE.
Paper Details
| Exam Paper | Target Candidates | Total Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
| Paper I | Aspiring teachers for classes I–V | 150 MCQs | 150 | 2:30 hrs | No |
| Paper II | Aspiring teachers for classes VI–VIII | 150 MCQs | 150 | 2:30 hrs | No |
Each question carries one mark, and there is no negative marking. MCQs are designed to assess core pedagogy, subject knowledge, and teaching aptitude.
Also See: CTET Answer Key 8 Feb 2026: Paper 1 & Paper 2 Solutions, Question Paper PDF
CTET Exam Schedule: 7 Feb 2026
CBSE revised the CTET schedule to accommodate large applicant numbers by splitting exams across two days with morning and afternoon shifts:
| Date | Shift | Paper | Time |
| 7 Feb 2026 | Morning | Paper II (Classes VI–VIII) | 09:30 AM – 12:00 PM |
| 7 Feb 2026 | Afternoon | Paper I (Classes I–V) | 02:30 PM – 05:00 PM |
Reporting to centres was mandated at least 1 hour before the start time.
Paper-II (7 Feb Morning Shift): Detailed Analysis
This section reports the initial analysis of CTET Paper-II, based on candidate feedback and early review coverage.
Overall Difficulty Level
Candidates described Paper-II as generally moderate in difficulty, with questions largely aligned to the official syllabus and the expected CTET pattern. Conceptual aspects and contextual classroom scenarios played a large role.
Section-Wise Difficulty & Trends
| Section | No. of Qs | Difficulty | Key Observations |
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | Easy – Moderate | Emphasis on inclusive education, learning theories, classroom strategies. |
| Language I | 30 | Easy | Comprehension and pedagogy questions dominated. |
| Language II | 30 | Easy | Similar pattern; basics with reading skills focus. |
| Mathematics & Science / Social Science | 60 | Moderate | Direct syllabus questions with some analytical components. |
Key Takeaways from Paper-II:
- Child Development & Pedagogy was less challenging for students prepared with core theoretical concepts.
- Language sections were manageable and helped most candidates secure early scoring.
- The combined Maths & Science / Social Science block accounted for the largest section and was noticed as the most time-consuming for some.
Must See for 8th Feb 2026 CTET Exam:
- CTET Answer Key 7 Feb 2026
- CTET Question Paper 7 Feb 2026
- CTET Feb 2026 Live Updates – Paper 1 & Paper 2 (7 & 8 Feb)
Paper-I (7 Feb Afternoon Shift): Early Highlights
Though detailed student feedback for Paper-I remains emerging, initial reports and pattern expectations point to the following trends:
Expected Paper-I Focus
Paper-I assesses candidates planning to teach primary classes (I–V), with a balanced mix of pedagogy, language, environmental studies, and basic mathematics.
Early Observations
Based on preliminary analysis reports:
- Child Development & Pedagogy and the Language I & II sections were reasonably accessible, favouring candidates comfortable with comprehension and fundamental teaching principles.
- Mathematics and Environmental Studies (EVS) questions were mostly NCERT-based and context-driven rather than overly technical.
Subject-Wise Snapshot (Primary Level)
| Subject | Expected Good Attempts | Difficulty |
| Child Development & Pedagogy | ~22–24 | Moderate |
| Language I | ~23–25 | Moderate |
| Language II | ~22–24 | Moderate |
| Mathematics | ~18–21 | Moderate |
| Environmental Studies | ~20–23 | Moderate |
Good attempts reflect commonly reported optimal attempts that balance speed and accuracy based on early estimates.
Common Trends Across Both Papers
Question Type & Approach
- A major focus remained on pedagogical application, situational reasoning, and understanding of core teaching concepts rather than rote factual recall.
- Comprehension passages played a significant role in the language sections.
- NCERT syllabus coverage continued to be core, reaffirming the value of NCERT books as preparation tools.
Time Management
- Time pressure was most apparent in the larger content block of Paper-II (60 questions).
- Language and pedagogy sections were generally quicker to address for prepared students.
Expected Cut-Off & Qualifying Marks
While official cut-offs will be released by CBSE later, qualifying criteria remains consistent with previous years:
- Minimum qualifying percentage is generally 60 % (90 marks out of 150) for General, with relaxations for reserved categories as per guidelines.
Note: Final cut-off may vary marginally based on overall difficulty and performance trends across shifts.
Final Takeway: What the 7 Feb Session Signifies
The CTET 7 Feb 2026 examinations maintained their reputation as a balanced eligibility test assessing both pedagogy and subject knowledge. Early feedback suggests:
- The difficulty level ranged from easy to moderate across sections.
- Papers adhered closely to the official pattern and CBSE syllabus, favouring candidates with conceptual clarity and NCERT-based preparation.
- Time management strategies played a critical role, especially in Paper-I,I due to larger content blocks.
Given these insights, aspirants can benchmark their performance using this analysis and plan next steps in answer key checking, score estimation, and future preparation accordingly.







