The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has reopened the online application window for the 22nd edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET). Eligible candidates who missed the original application period can apply from 25 August to 1 September 2026.
Candidates who already completed and successfully submitted an application must not apply again. CBSE's reopening notice also says that the earlier examination schedule is no longer final. A revised CTET examination date will be announced after the application portal closes.
CTET September 2026 Overview
| Particular | Officially verified detail |
|---|---|
| Conducting authority | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Examination | Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET), 22nd edition |
| Official reference number | F. No. CBSE/CTET/Sept./2026/e-73233 |
| Purpose | Teacher-eligibility qualification for Classes I to VIII |
| Vacancies | Not applicable – CTET is an eligibility test, not a recruitment drive |
| Application mode | Online only |
| Reopened application window | 25 August to 1 September 2026 |
| Current exam-date status | Revised date awaited |
| Official website | https://ctet.nic.in/ |
Important Dates
| Event | Official date or status |
|---|---|
| Original public notice | 8 May 2026 |
| Original application period | 11 May to 10 June 2026 |
| Original correction window | 15 to 18 June 2026 |
| Reopening public notice | 25 August 2026 |
| Reopened portal starts | 25 August 2026 |
| Last date for reopened applications | 1 September 2026 |
| Revised examination date | To be announced after the portal closes |
| Admit card | To be announced on the CTET website |
| Result | Await revised official schedule |
The original information bulletin listed 6 September 2026, with a possible additional date of 5 September. The later official reopening notice supersedes that schedule by saying a revised examination date will be announced. Do not plan travel using the earlier date.
Who Should Use the Reopened Window
- Eligible candidates who could not apply during 11 May to 10 June 2026
- Candidates seeking Paper I eligibility for teaching Classes I to V
- Candidates seeking Paper II eligibility for teaching Classes VI to VIII
- Candidates eligible for both papers who want to teach at both levels
Anyone who already submitted the CTET September 2026 form successfully does not need to apply again. Duplicate applications can lead to cancellation and possible debarment under the information bulletin.
Educational Qualification
CBSE does not reduce CTET eligibility to one single qualification. Minimum qualifications must follow the latest National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) regulations, applicable amendments, and the recruitment rules of the appropriate government or appointing organization.
- Paper I is for candidates intending to teach Classes I to V.
- Paper II is for candidates intending to teach Classes VI to VIII.
- Candidates intending to teach both levels must appear in both papers.
- The relevant teacher-education diploma or degree must satisfy current NCTE and appointing-authority rules.
- Reserved-category candidates such as SC, ST, OBC and persons with disabilities may receive up to 5% relaxation in qualifying marks in the minimum educational qualification, subject to the applicable rules.
Do not rely only on a short description such as 12th with D.El.Ed or graduation with B.Ed. Qualification routes and conditions can differ. Check the official bulletin and https://ncte.gov.in before paying.
Age Limit, Vacancies and Salary
| Item | Official position |
|---|---|
| Minimum or maximum age | No CTET age limit is stated in the official information bulletin |
| Age relaxation | Not applicable because no age limit is specified |
| Vacancy count | Not applicable |
| Salary or pay scale | Not applicable – passing CTET does not itself provide a job |
Qualifying CTET is one eligibility condition used by recruiting organizations. It does not guarantee recruitment, appointment, a vacancy, or a particular salary.
Application Fee
| Category | One paper | Both papers |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC (NCL) | ₹1,000 | ₹1,200 |
| SC / ST / differently-abled person | ₹500 | ₹600 |
Applicable GST is charged separately by the bank. The bulletin accepts online payment through debit card, credit card or net banking. Once paid, the examination fee is not refunded or adjusted for a future test.
CTET Selection and Qualifying Rules
CTET has no interview or job-selection stage. Candidates take the applicable offline OMR-based paper and receive marks based on correct answers.
- Each correct answer carries one mark.
- There is no negative marking.
- A score of 60% or more is treated as CTET qualified under the cited NCTE rule.
- School managements may give concessions to reserved categories according to their reservation policy.
- The CTET qualifying certificate is valid for life for all categories.
- There is no restriction on attempts, and qualified candidates may appear again to improve their score.
A CTET score may be given weight in recruitment, but the recruiting authority separately verifies eligibility and makes appointments.
Paper I Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Paper I is for the primary stage, Classes I to V. All sections are compulsory and the paper duration is 2 hours 30 minutes.
Paper II Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics and Science OR Social Studies / Social Science | 60 | 60 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Paper II is for Classes VI to VIII and lasts 2 hours 30 minutes. The main question paper is bilingual in Hindi and English. Candidates choose two different languages from the options listed in the official bulletin.
Documents and Files to Keep Ready
- Class 10 certificate for the correct name and date of birth
- Relevant education and teacher-training marksheets and certificates
- Category or disability certificate, where applicable
- An accepted identity-document detail for registration
- Active personal mobile number and email address
- Recent JPG/JPEG photograph, 10–100 KB, 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm
- JPG/JPEG signature, 3–30 KB, 3.5 cm × 1.5 cm
- Online payment method
- Downloaded confirmation page after successful submission
For the examination, candidates should carry the official e-admit card and the photo identity proof specified on it. Follow the later admit-card instructions because the revised examination date and reporting schedule are still awaited.
How to Apply
- Open the official CTET website at https://ctet.nic.in/.
- Use the CTET September 2026 Apply/Login link shown under Candidate Activity.
- Read the reopening notice and full information bulletin before registration.
- Complete authentication and enter personal, educational, category and paper details exactly as supported by certificates.
- Choose Paper I, Paper II or both according to your eligibility and intended teaching level.
- Upload the recent photograph and signature in the official format and size.
- Pay the applicable fee through the authorized online gateway.
- Confirm that payment status is successful, submit the form and download the confirmation page.
- Keep the registration number, password and confirmation page secure for future login.
Do not send the confirmation page to the CTET Unit. If payment status is unsuccessful, follow the official portal instructions and check the bank status before paying again.
Official Links
Official CTET website and latest notices: https://ctet.nic.in/
Official CTET September 2026 Apply/Login page: https://ctet.nic.in/link/apply-for-ctet-sep-2026/
Official CBSE reopening notice dated 25 August 2026: https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3443dec3062d0286986e21dc0631734c9/uploads/2026/08/20260825641447501.pdf
Official CTET September 2026 information bulletin: https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3443dec3062d0286986e21dc0631734c9/uploads/2026/05/202605111250310617.pdf
Official NCTE website for qualification rules: https://ncte.gov.in/
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply in the reopened CTET window?
The official CBSE notice keeps the portal open through 1 September 2026 for eligible candidates who missed the earlier window.
Should candidates who already submitted apply again?
No. CBSE explicitly says candidates who already completed and successfully submitted their applications need not apply again.
Is the CTET examination still on 6 September 2026?
No revised date has been announced. The 25 August notice says the revised examination date will be announced after the portal closes, so candidates should not rely on the earlier 6 September schedule.
How many vacancies are available through CTET?
CTET does not advertise vacancies. It is a teacher-eligibility examination, and recruitment is conducted separately by schools or recruiting authorities.
Is there an age limit for CTET September 2026?
The official information bulletin does not specify a minimum or maximum CTET age limit.
What is the fee for both papers?
It is ₹1,200 for General/OBC-NCL candidates and ₹600 for SC/ST/differently-abled candidates, plus applicable GST charged by the bank.
Is there negative marking?
No. Each correct answer gives one mark and there is no negative marking.
Does passing CTET guarantee a teaching job?
No. CTET is an eligibility qualification. The appointing authority checks eligibility, vacancies and recruitment conditions separately.
Official-Source Verification Disclaimer
This post was verified on 28 August 2026 using the official CBSE reopening notice dated 25 August 2026, the official CTET September 2026 information bulletin, and the live CTET website. The reopened 25 August–1 September application window, fees, paper pattern, qualifying rule and revised-date status are officially confirmed. Vacancies, salary and age limit are not provided because CTET is an eligibility test, not a recruitment notification. Candidates must check https://ctet.nic.in for the revised examination date, admit card and any later correction before acting.