The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the CTET February 2026 Notification Out, giving millions of teaching aspirants across India an important opportunity to apply for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test. CTET is a national-level eligibility exam conducted twice every year for teaching jobs in Central Government schools such as KV, NVS, Army Public Schools, and many State & Private schools that accept CTET scores.
The CTET 2026 notification includes the complete schedule, eligibility criteria, application fees, exam pattern, syllabus, certificate validity, and step-by-step registration guidelines.
If you are planning to become a teacher for Classes 1–5 (Primary) or Classes 6–8 (Upper Primary), this blog will guide you through everything you need to know.
CTET February 2026 Notification Out – Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Dates & Online Application
What is CTET?
CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) is a national-level qualifying exam conducted by CBSE that ensures teachers possess professional teaching skills and subject knowledge. Clearing CTET is mandatory to get appointed as a teacher in central schools and many government/state schools across India.
CTET February 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Tentative Dates |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | February 2026 |
| Online Application Start | February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | February/March 2026 |
| Correction Window | March 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | April 2026 |
| Exam Date | April/May 2026 |
| Result Declaration | June 2026 |
| (Dates will be updated once confirmed in the official notification.) |
CTET 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Paper 1 or Paper 2 | Both Papers |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹1000 | ₹1200 |
| SC / ST / Differently-abled | ₹500 | ₹600 |
Eligibility Criteria for CTET February 2026
Eligibility is different for Primary Teacher (Class 1–5) and Upper Primary Teacher (Class 6–8).
Primary Teacher (Class 1–5)
Aspirant must meet any one of the following:
- 12th with minimum 50% marks and 2-year D.El.Ed
or - 12th with minimum 45% marks and 2-year D.El.Ed (NCTE approved)
or - 12th with minimum 50% marks and 4-year B.El.Ed
or - Graduation with D.El.Ed
Upper Primary Teacher (Class 6–8)
Aspirant must meet any one of the following:
- Graduation with 2-year D.El.Ed
or - Graduation with minimum 50% marks and B.Ed
or - Graduation with minimum 45% marks and B.Ed (NCTE approved)
or - 12th with minimum 50% marks and 4-year B.El.Ed / BA B.Ed / BSc B.Ed
Exam Pattern — CTET February 2026
Paper 1 – For Classes 1 to 5
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 Questions | 150 Marks |
Paper 2 – For Classes 6 to 8
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 150 Questions | 150 Marks |
- Exam mode — Offline (OMR pen-paper based)
- No negative marking
- Duration — 2 hours 30 minutes
CTET February 2026 Syllabus Overview
Paper 1 Syllabus (Class 1–5)
- Child Development & Pedagogy
- Language I (Comprehension + Pedagogy)
- Language II (Comprehension + Pedagogy)
- Mathematics (Concepts, Pedagogy, Problem-Solving)
- Environmental Studies (Family, Environment, Food, Travel, Communication, etc.)
Paper 2 Syllabus (Class 6–8)
- Child Development & Pedagogy
- Language I & Language II
- Mathematics & Science (concepts + pedagogy)
- Social Studies / Social Science (History, Geography, Civics)
CTET Qualifying Marks & Certificate Validity
| Category | Qualifying Percentage | Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General | 60% | 90/150 |
| SC / ST / OBC / PwD | 55% | 82/150 |
- CTET Certificate Validity: Lifetime
- No restriction on attempts — candidates can appear unlimited times
Documents Required for CTET 2026 Application
- Passport-size photograph & signature
- Aadhaar card
- Educational qualification certificates/marksheets
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- Valid email ID & mobile number
How to Apply for CTET February 2026 – Step-by-Step Process
- Visit the official website: ctet.nic.in
- Click on “CTET February 2026 Online Application”
- Register using email ID and phone number
- Fill personal, academic & contact details
- Upload documents and scanned photos/signature
- Select exam center and preferred language
- Pay fees through UPI/Net Banking/Debit Card
- Submit the form and take a printout of confirmation
CTET 2026 Exam Cities
CTET is conducted in more than 150+ exam cities across India. Aspirants can select up to 4 exam city choices during application. Allotment depends on availability.
Benefits of Qualifying CTET
- Eligible for recruitment in Kendriya Vidyalaya, NVS, DSSSB, Army Schools
- Accepted in thousands of Private Schools across India
- Increases chances of Government Teaching Jobs
- Lifetime validity increases long-term career opportunities
Tips to Prepare for CTET February 2026
- Understand the syllabus & exam pattern thoroughly
- Practice previous year CTET papers and mock tests
- Focus strongly on Child Development & Pedagogy
- Strengthen pedagogy concepts for each subject
- Revise NCERT books (Class 1–8) for conceptual clarity
FAQs
Q1: What is the mode of CTET February 2026 exam?
CTET will be conducted in offline OMR mode, where candidates fill answers using a ball-point pen.
Q2: Can I apply for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 together?
Yes, candidates can apply for both papers, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
Q3: Is there negative marking in CTET?
No, there is no negative marking in CTET.
Q4: How many attempts are allowed for CTET?
There is no attempt limit. Candidates may appear multiple times for score improvement.
Q5: What is the minimum age for CTET?
The minimum age to apply for CTET is 17 years.
Conclusion
With the CTET February 2026 Notification Out, this is the perfect opportunity for aspirants aiming to make a career in the teaching field. Understanding the complete eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, and application process is the key to a successful registration and preparation strategy. Clearing CTET opens doors to government as well as private school jobs nationwide — making it one of the most important exams for teaching aspirants.