CTET Exam Date 2026: are you preparing for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) September 2026? If yes, here is a major update for you! Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is expected to announce official CTET September 2026 Exam Date at any moment on its official portal, ctet.nic.in.
According to a previously issued notice by CBSE, exact examination date will be declared shortly following the conclusion of the online application process.
CTET 2026 Highlights & Overview
| Particulars | Key Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Official Website | ctet.nic.in |
| Exam Mode | Offline / Pen-Paper Mode |
| Exam Timing & Shifts | Shift 1: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM Shift 2: 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM |
| City Slip Expected Date | 10 to 15 days before the exam date |
| Admit Card Expected Date | 4 days before the exam date |
Background: Revised Application Timeline
Originally, CBSE had scheduled the CTET examination for September 6, 2026. However, that schedule was postponed, and the board reopened the application portal until September 1, 2026, to allow more aspiring candidates to submit their forms. With the application window now officially closed, candidate registration processing is underway, and the revised exam date is set to be released shortly.
Exam City Slip & Admit Card Release Schedule
Once the official exam date is announced, CBSE will proceed with releasing the candidate travel and hall ticket details in two phases.
- Exam City Slip: Following historical trends, CBSE typically releases Advance Exam City Intimation Slip 10 to 15 days prior to examination date. This slip helps candidates identify their assigned exam city and make travel arrangements in advance.
- Admit Card: Official CTET Hall Ticket will be made available for download 4 days before the exam date.
Shift Timings & Reporting Details
CBSE conducts CTET exam across two distinct shifts for Paper 1 and Paper 2. Candidates must adhere strictly to the designated reporting times at their respective test centers:
- Shift 1 (Morning):
- Exam Time: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
- Reporting Time: 7:30 AM (120 minutes prior to exam commencement)
- Shift 2 (Afternoon):
- Exam Time: 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM
- Reporting Time: 12:30 PM (120 minutes prior to exam commencement)
How to Download CTET City Slip & Admit Card
Once released, candidates can log in to access their credentials by following these steps –
- Visit the official CTET portal at ctet.nic.in.
- Locate and click on the CTET Exam City Slip / Admit Card 2026 link listed under the LATEST NEWS section on the homepage.
- Enter your Application Number, Date of Birth, and visible Security Pin (Captcha).
- Click on Submit button to view your document on the screen.
- Download and print out a clean hard copy for exam day reference.
CTET Examination Pattern
Both Paper 1 (for Primary Stage teachers) and Paper 2 (for Elementary Stage teachers) follow a standardized pattern:
- Total Questions: 150 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Total Marks: 150 Marks (1 mark per correct answer)
- Negative Marking: No negative marking for wrong answers
With the exam date expected to be announced shortly, candidates are advised to step up their preparation and regularly monitor official website for real-time announcements.
