CTET 2026: If you are an aspiring candidate preparing to become a government school teacher, here is a crucial update regarding the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET). The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially announced the revised exam dates for CTET 2026.
The national-level eligibility test will now be conducted on December 12 and December 13, 2026.
To help candidates plan ahead, exam city intimation slip will be made available on the official portal (ctet.nic.in) roughly 15 days prior to the exam—expected around November 27 or 28, 2026. Detailed admit cards indicating the designated exam center will be released two days before the examination, around December 10, 2026.
CTET 2026 Exam Schedule & Timeline
Originally scheduled for September 6, the examination was deferred after CBSE reopened the application window following directives from the Supreme Court. The apex court instructed that eligible teaching aspirants must be provided adequate opportunity to acquire the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) qualification.
| Milestone / Event | Tentative / Official Date |
|---|---|
| Exam City Intimation Slip Release | November 27–28, 2026 (15 Days Prior) |
| Admit Card Release | December 10, 2026 (2 Days Prior) |
| CTET 2026 Exam Dates | December 12 & December 13, 2026 |
| Official Website | ctet.nic.in |
CTET 2026 Exam Pattern Details
CTET consists of two primary papers, each worth 150 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for 150 total marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
| Paper Type | Target Teaching Level | Questions & Marks | Key Subjects Covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Primary Teacher (Classes 1 to 5) | 150 MCQs / 150 Marks | Child Development & Pedagogy (30), Mathematics (30), Environmental Studies (30), Language I (30), Language II (30) |
| Paper 2 | Elementary Teacher (Classes 6 to 8) | 150 MCQs / 150 Marks | Child Development & Pedagogy (30), Language I (30), Language II (30), Subject Specialization (60) (Maths & Science OR Social Studies) |
Minimum Passing Marks & Qualifying Criteria
To obtain CTET eligibility certificate, candidates must secure the minimum qualifying percentage specified by CBSE.
| Candidate Category | Minimum Qualifying Percentage | Required Score out of 150 |
|---|---|---|
| General / Unreserved (UR) | 60% | 90 Marks |
| OBC / SC / ST / PwD | 55% | 82.5 Marks |
Exam Shifts & Reporting Timings
Exam will take place across two separate shifts on both examination days. Candidates must report at least 2 hours (120 minutes) prior to the commencement of their respective shift.
| Exam Shift | Examination Timing | Mandatory Reporting Time |
|---|---|---|
| Shift 1 (Morning) | 09:30 AM – 12:00 PM | 07:30 AM |
| Shift 2 (Afternoon) | 02:30 PM – 05:00 PM | 12:30 PM |
With the revised dates finalized, candidates are advised to utilize remaining weeks for intensive revision and keep checking ctet.nic.in for official updates regarding city slips and admit cards.
