The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the detailed information bulletin and notification for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) September 2026. This announcement marks the 22nd edition of this national-level examination, which serves as a mandatory qualification for individuals aspiring to teach in schools under the central government, including Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs).
The notification provides a comprehensive schedule for the application process, eligibility requirements, and the specific date for the offline examination. Aspiring candidates are encouraged to review the official PDF available on the CTET website to ensure they meet all stipulated criteria before submitting their forms.
CTET September 2026: Important Dates and Schedule
Timely registration is critical for any national exam. The CBSE has established a strict window for the online application process. Candidates must complete their registration and fee payment within these dates to be considered for the September cycle.
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release Date | May 11, 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | May 11, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | June 10, 2026 (Before 11:59 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Submission | June 10, 2026 (Before 11:59 PM) |
| Online Correction Window | June 16, 2026 – June 18, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 2 Days Before the Examination |
| Exam Date (Paper I & II) | September 06, 2026 |
| Tentative Result Declaration | End of October 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria for CTET September 2026
The eligibility requirements are categorized into two levels: Paper I (for Primary Stage) and Paper II (for Elementary Stage). These requirements are based on the guidelines set by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).
For Paper I (Classes I to V)
To be eligible for Paper I, candidates must satisfy one of the following qualifications:
- 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 the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure) Regulations, 2002.
- 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).
- Graduation and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education.
For Paper II (Classes VI to VIII)
To be eligible for Paper II, candidates must satisfy one of the following qualifications:
- Graduation and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education.
- 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 Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).
- B.A./B.Sc.Ed. or B.A.Ed./B.Sc.Ed. with at least 50% marks.
Note: A relaxation of up to 5% in the qualifying marks in the minimum educational qualification is allowed for candidates belonging to reserved categories such as SC, ST, OBC, and Differently-abled persons.
CTET September 2026 Eligibility Checker
Examination Pattern and Structure
The CTET September 2026 exam will be conducted in an offline (OMR-based) mode. Each paper consists of 150 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), with each question carrying one mark. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
Paper I Exam Pattern (Primary Stage)
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks |
| Child Development and Pedagogy (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Language I (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Language II (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Paper II Exam Pattern (Elementary Stage)
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks |
| Child Development and Pedagogy (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Language I (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Language II (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies/Science | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Application Fee Details
The application fee is determined based on the category of the candidate and the number of papers they choose to attempt. Payment can be made online via Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking.
| Category | Single Paper (I or II) | Both Papers (I & II) |
| General / OBC (NCL) | ₹1,000 | ₹1,200 |
| SC / ST / Differently Abled | ₹500 | ₹600 |
How to Download CTET September 2026 Notification PDF
The official notification is the most authentic source of information regarding the examination. Candidates can download the document by following these steps:
- Visit the official CTET website: ctet.nic.in.
- Navigate to the "Public Notices" or "Information Bulletin" section on the homepage.
- Click on the link titled "Information Bulletin CTET September 2026".
- The PDF document will open in a new tab.
- Save the PDF and print a copy for future reference during the application and preparation process.
Download PDF
Steps to Apply Online for CTET September 2026
The application process is entirely digital. Candidates must ensure they have scanned copies of their photograph and signature ready before starting the process.
- Step 1: Registration – Access the "Apply Online" link on the official website. Enter basic details like name, date of birth, and contact information to generate a unique Registration Number.
- Step 2: Fill Application Form – Log in with the registration credentials and enter detailed educational qualifications and choice of examination centers.
- Step 3: Document Upload – Upload a recent passport-sized photograph and a clear signature in JPG/JPEG format.
- Step 4: Fee Payment – Pay the applicable fee based on the selected category and papers.
- Step 5: Confirmation Page – Once the payment is successful, download and print the "Confirmation Page." This is a crucial document that serves as proof of a successful application.
Syllabus Overview
The syllabus for CTET is designed to assess the teaching aptitude and subject knowledge of the candidates.
- Child Development and Pedagogy: Focuses on the educational psychology of teaching and learning relevant to the age group of 6-11 years (Paper I) and 11-14 years (Paper II).
- Language I & II: Focuses on proficiencies related to the medium of instruction and language elements, communication, and comprehension abilities.
- Mathematics & Environmental Studies (Paper I): Focuses on concepts, problem-solving abilities, and pedagogical understanding of these subjects.
- Subject Specific (Paper II): Candidates choosing Mathematics and Science will be tested on content and pedagogical issues in those fields, while Social Studies candidates will cover History, Geography, and Social and Political Life.
Final Thoughts
The release of the CTET September 2026 notification is a vital development for thousands of teaching aspirants across India. With the application window closing on June 10, 2026, it is imperative for candidates to act promptly. Ensuring that one meets the specific eligibility criteria and understands the offline exam format will be key to a successful attempt.
By following the official updates on ctet.nic.in and preparing systematically according to the prescribed syllabus, candidates can improve their chances of obtaining the qualifying certificate, which now remains valid for a lifetime.








