The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is the primary gateway for aspiring teachers to secure positions in classes I to VIII at Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and other CBSE-affiliated schools. Conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), qualifying CTET is essential for teacher recruitment under the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) guidelines.
BREAKING UPDATE (October 24, 2025)
CBSE has officially announced the 21st edition of CTET as the February 2026 session.
The exam is scheduled for Sunday, 08th February 2026 (Paper I and Paper II).
Key Highlights from the Official Public Notice (F. No. CBSE/CTET/Feb/2026/e-73233, Dated: 24.10.2025):
- Exam Date: 08 February 2026 (Sunday)
- Papers: Paper I (Classes I–V) and Paper II (Classes VI–VIII)
- Conducted in 20 languages across 132 cities in India
- Detailed Information Bulletin (with syllabus, eligibility, fee, dates, cities) has been released on https://ctet.nic.in
- Applications will be online only via https://ctet.nic.in
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Begins | 27 November 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 18 December 2025 (11:59 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 18 December 2025 (11:59 PM) |
| Admit Card Availability | To be notified on ctet.nic.in |
| CTET Exam Date | 08 February 2026 (Sunday) |
| Paper-II Shift | 09:30 AM – 12:00 Noon |
| Paper-I Shift | 02:30 PM – 05:00 PM |
No CTET exam was conducted in 2025 — neither in July nor December. This marks the first year without a CTET session since its inception in 2011.
Why CTET Is Necessary
Qualifying CTET is mandatory for:
- Teaching in central government schools (KVS, NVS, Central Tibetan Schools, etc.)
- Eligibility in many private and state-aided schools following NCTE norms
- Validating pedagogical and subject knowledge for classes I to VIII
CTET certificate is valid for a lifetime — no need to reappear once cleared.
Historical Conduct and Notification Trends
CTET is normally conducted twice a year—in July and December. Here’s a quick look at the past 5 cycles:
| Exam Cycle | Notification Released | Exam Date | Result Declared |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTET Dec 2022 | 31 Oct 2022 | Dec 2022 – Jan 2023 | End of Feb 2023 |
| CTET July 2023 | 27 Apr 2023 | July – Aug 2023 | Sept 2023 |
| CTET Jan 2024 | 3 Nov 2023 | 21 Jan 2024 | End of Feb 2024 |
| CTET July 2024 | 7 Mar 2024 | 7 July 2024 | End of Aug 2024 |
| CTET Dec 2024 | 17 Sep 2024 | 14 Dec 2024 | End of Jan 2025 |
2025: No CTET conducted — July session skipped, December session replaced by February 2026.
Current Status (October 2025)
- No CTET in 2025: Both July and December sessions were not held.
- Next Exam: CTET February 2026 — officially confirmed on 24 October 2025. Information Bulletin for Feb 2026 Exam released on 27.11.2025.
- Information Bulletin: Expected to be released within the next 7–10 days (by early November 2025).
- Application Window: 27 November 2025 to 18 December 2025 (11:59 PM)
- Admit Card: Expected in late January 2026.
- Result: Likely by late March 2026.
No Level 3 or Level 4 CTET (for classes 9–12) will be introduced before 2027, as confirmed by NCTE.
Was CTET 2025 cancelled?
Yes — no exam was held in July or December 2025. The next session is February 2026.
When will the CTET February 2026 application start?
Application Window: 27 November 2025 to 18 December 2025 (11:59 PM)
Can final-year B.Ed/D.El.Ed students apply for CTET February 2026?
Yes — as per previous norms, final-year students are eligible. This will be confirmed in the Information Bulletin.
Will the syllabus or exam pattern change for CTET 2026?
No changes announced. The exam remains OMR-based, with the same syllabus and pattern as before. Prepare using the current CTET syllabus.
Why Was CTET 2025 Skipped?
CBSE has not issued any official explanation. Possible reasons include:
- Administrative Restructuring: Alignment with academic calendar or NEP 2020 implementation.
- Logistical Overhaul: Replanning exam centers, OMR processes, or shift to CBT mode.
- Policy Reassessment: Internal review of biannual frequency or eligibility criteria.
- Lack of Communication: No public clarification, leading to confusion and campaigns on X.
Confirmed Timeline for CTET February 2026
| Event | Official Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 27 November 2025 |
| Application Form Opens | 27 November 2025 |
| Application Deadline | 18 December 2025 (11:59 PM) |
| Admit Card Release | Late January 2026 |
| Exam Date | 08 February 2026 (Sunday) |
| Result Declaration | Late March 2026 |
Download CTET February 2026 Public Notice PDF
Download CTET February 2026 Notification PDF
| Download CTET Feb 2026 Notification | Click Here |
Will there be CTET exams for classes 9-12 (Level 3 and 4)?
No. CBSE and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) have postponed CTET for classes 9-12 until at least 2027.
Will CTET be conducted online (CBT mode)?
No — the official notice confirms offline OMR-based exam in 132 cities.
How are other aspirants coping with this delay?
Many aspirants are sharing their experiences and forming study groups on social media and messaging apps. This community support can motivate you and keep you updated.
What Should Aspirants Do Now
- Read the Information Bulletin — Released on 27 November 2025
- Prepare Documents:
- Passport-sized photo (JPG/JPEG, white background, 10–100 KB)
- Scanned signature (3–30 KB)
- Valid ID proof, educational certificates
- Start/Continue Preparation:
- Use current CTET syllabus (no changes announced)
- Focus on Child Development & Pedagogy, Language, Math, EVS/Science/Social Studies
- Practice PYQs and mock tests
- Apply Online Only at https://ctet.nic.in — no offline mode
- Submit Only One Application — multiple forms lead to disqualification
Application Fees (Based on Previous Cycles)
| Category | Single Paper | Both Papers |
|---|---|---|
| General/OBC (NCL) | ₹1,000 | ₹1,200 |
| SC/ST/PWD | ₹500 | ₹600 |
Payment method: Online only (credit/debit card, net banking, or UPI).
| Important CTET Exam Links |
| CTET Notification |
| CTET Eligibility |
| CTET Exam Patter and Syllabus PDF |
| CTET PYQs PDF Download |
Best CTET Books
Related posts:
CTET February 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus PDF Download (Paper 1 & Paper 2)
CTET Previous Year Papers PDF with Solutions (2024-2018) – Free Download
CTET Eligibility February 2026: Check Minimum Qualifications for Paper 1 & Paper 2
CTET Feb 2026 Notification OUT: Download PDF & Read This Before You Apply
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