🇮🇳 INDIA • TEACHER ELIGIBILITY TEST

CTET

Central Teacher Eligibility Test · 22nd Edition

CTET 22nd edition: CBSE's 12–13 December 2026 exam dates, Paper I versus II, marks and fees, correction rules, assigned city, admit card and why qualification does not guarantee recruitment.

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)Last editorial verification: 16 October 2026

Go to official exam organizer Primary official sources

OVERVIEW

At a glance

22nd CTET exam dates

12–13 December 2026 · allotted day is individual

Registration & corrections

Closed; check CBSE notices for any new window

Paper I / Paper II

Classes I–V / Classes VI–VIII

Questions and marking

150 MCQs · 150 marks · no negative marking

Duration / normal qualifying score

150 minutes · 60% = 90/150, concessions may apply

22nd-edition fee

General/OBC(NCL) ₹1,000 one or ₹1,200 both; SC/ST/PwD ₹500/₹600; GST extra

City and admit card

CBSE allocates city; check individual notice & admit card

CTET 22ND EDITION · PAPER CHOICE

Paper I, Paper II or both — what will you actually sit?

Select the classes you hope to teach. See the official 2026 paper structure and fee without confusing CTET qualification with school recruitment or making a new application.

Which classes are you aiming to teach?

2026 fee category

YOUR MATCHED PAPER CHOICE

Paper I

Paper I — Classes I–V (primary)

22nd edition application fee₹1,000Applicable bank GST extra · 2026, window closed

Paper I150 questions · 150 marks · 150 minutes

Child Development & Pedagogy30 marks

Mathematics30 marks

Environmental Studies30 marks

Language I30 marks

Language II (different from Language I)30 marks

Standard qualifying benchmark: 60% (90/150) per paper; applicable relaxations and recruitment requirements are assessed separately. There is no negative marking.

This paper and fee explanation uses the CBSE 22nd-edition 2026 information bulletin. All application windows are currently closed; these are historical 2026 fees, not a payment link or a 2027 fee. CBSE/NCTE and the appointing school authority decide your education and employment eligibility. Choosing a paper here does not establish NCTE eligibility, exam admission or a job offer. Do not assume that the original September 2026 bulletin still has the correct examination date.

Original CBSE syllabus/fees December 2026 corrected exam dates CBSE eligibility caveat

POLICY TRACKER

Verified change analysis

Original notices are compared with earlier official material, not paraphrased into generic news.

ConfirmedEffective / relevant date: 14 September 2026

22nd CTET moved from September to December

BEFORE

CBSE's May notice scheduled the 22nd exam for 6 September 2026 (with possible additional day on 5 September).

AFTER

CBSE's public notice dated 14 September schedules the 22nd CTET on 12 and 13 December 2026.

WHO IS AFFECTED

Candidates already registered for the 22nd edition and those planning travel and revision.

WHAT TO DO

Prepare for both December dates until the portal confirms your own allotted day. Check city/date intimation around 15 days before the exam and admit card about two days before; do not assume a new application round.

Read primary-source evidence

ConfirmedEffective / relevant date: 10 September 2026

September correction window has closed

BEFORE

Candidates were invited to make corrections during the published online correction interval.

AFTER

CBSE's public notices list the September correction window with its last date of 10 September 2026.

WHO IS AFFECTED

Already-registered candidates seeking application corrections.

WHAT TO DO

Do not trust third-party websites advertising a current correction link. Read the latest CBSE notice for any new permitted process.

Read primary-source evidence

EXPLAINED FOR CANDIDATES

Candidate's field guide

What the latest CBSE notice actually changes

The 22nd CTET was initially announced for September 2026. A newer CBSE notice dated 14 September 2026 confirms examination on 12 and 13 December 2026. That newer notice should control your travel and revision planning, not cached coaching-site schedules.

CBSE says each candidate's allotted city and examination date will appear on the CTET portal 15 days before the exam; the admit card with the centre details will be accessible two days before the exam. Do not infer from the two dates that Paper I always runs on one date and Paper II on the other.

Your document and travel checklist

A city-intimation notice tells you the allotted city and exam day; your admit card identifies the precise centre. They are not interchangeable. For travel bookings, check your allotment first and avoid irreversible arrangements before the official confirmation.

A revised exam date does not automatically mean the application or correction window has reopened. The September correction notice gave a final date of 10 September, and a later exam-date announcement does not itself create a new registration period.

Open ctet.nic.in directly and read the newest public notice.
Use your candidate login for allotted date/city when released.
Download the admit card when CBSE posts it, and check identification, reporting time and centre instructions.

Choose the right CTET paper before paying

The 2026 CBSE information bulletin distinguishes Paper I for classes I–V (primary), Paper II for VI–VIII (upper primary), and BOTH papers for candidates who intend to teach both levels and meet applicable education rules. A pass in Paper II does not automatically stand in for Paper I in a primary-school vacancy.

Each paper is 150 multiple-choice questions worth one mark each, over 2½ hours, with no negative marking. Both have 30 marks in Child Development & Pedagogy, 30 Language I and 30 Language II. Paper I adds 30 Mathematics and 30 Environmental Studies; Paper II instead requires a 60-mark Mathematics & Science or Social Studies/Social Science option. Your two languages must be different.

The September 2026 information bulletin for the 22nd edition specifies General/OBC(NCL) fees of ₹1,000 for one paper or ₹1,200 for both, and SC/ST/PwD fees of ₹500 or ₹600; applicable bank GST is additional. These amounts describe the 2026 application cycle—not a guaranteed 2027 fee. The newer December notice supersedes the OLD SEPTEMBER EXAM DATE in that bulletin, not necessarily every procedural rule.

NCTE's ordinary passing benchmark is 60% (90 out of 150), while applicable concessions and recruitment scoring depend on authorities. CTET qualification is a teacher-eligibility condition, not proof that your training course matches a specific KVS/NVS or state vacancy.

Choose the intended class group first (I–V, VI–VIII or both) and check NCTE eligibility and the recruiting authority's separate notice.
Check Paper II's required subject route and select two different exam languages; review the official syllabus and past CBSE question papers.
Use the 2026 bulletin for that edition's marking and fees, but consult the revised 14 September 2026 notice for the actual 12–13 December dates.

VISUAL EVIDENCE AND SOURCES

See how the exam works

Contextual photography, original diagrams where useful, and carefully selected videos when relevant — with direct source links.

Illustrative Indian classroom with wooden desks and teaching materials used for teacher-eligibility exam preparation — AI-generated classroom illustration, not an actual CTET exam centre or dated exam-day photo.

ORIGINAL DIAGRAM · OFFICIAL-SOURCE DATA

From CBSE announcement to the examination centre

The CBSE 14 September notice overrides the earlier September exam date. City/date allotment and the actual e-admit card are separate; an exam reschedule does not reopen registration or correction windows.

CBSE public notice

Confirm which exam edition and revised dates apply

Allotted city & day

Check official candidate portal when announced

Admit card / exact centre

Download from the authorised CTET portal

Attend your exam

Follow the admit card's ID and reporting instructions

The city notification and exam admit card are distinct. Illustration of the administrative sequence, not live portal status.

Verify the underlying official data

Official visual resources and demonstrations

CBSE: public examination notices and amendmentsCheck official city and admit-card announcements; no independently vetted CTET video is currently being presented as official.CBSE: official CTET information bulletinsEligibility, required documents, Paper I and Paper II curriculum and application guidelines.

IN-DEPTH CANDIDATE DOSSIER

The legal difference between teacher eligibility and appointment, CTET certificate validity and practical application mistakes

CTET is a Teacher Eligibility Test administered by CBSE; passing it does not award a teaching post. Qualification for a particular vacancy also depends on the recruiting institution's current recruitment rules.

GOVERNING LAWS AND RULES

Statutory foundation and rules that affect real applicants

Section 23(1) of India's Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 establishes the framework for minimum teacher qualifications. NCTE's initial 11 February 2011 TET guidelines and the 9 June 2021 amendment govern certificate validity. CBSE's 2026 information bulletin defines the CTET edition's scoring, paperwork, fees and testing procedures; a later 14 September CBSE notice replaces its original exam date.

A government employment vacancy remains a separate hiring process. A CTET certificate can satisfy a teacher-eligibility element without ensuring the candidate has the precise academic background, category, or recruitment score required for a particular school system.

RTE Act, 2009, Section 23 and NCTE qualification notices

Section 23 empowers prescribing minimum qualifications for teachers, including the TET framework. Minimum professional training and degree eligibility depend on applicable NCTE notifications and any legally relevant amendments; the candidate must match Paper I or Paper II to the classes being targeted.

CANDIDATE ACTIONCompare your degree, teacher-training course, reservation category, and proposed teaching classes to NCTE's latest requirements and the current recruitment notification.

Read law or official policy

NCTE TET guidelines para 11: lifetime validity, including older certificates

The NCTE letter dated 9 June 2021 formally replaces the older maximum seven-year validity sentence in paragraph 11 of the 2011 TET guidelines. It states that certificates remain valid for life unless the appropriate government otherwise notifies, and expressly makes the amendment retrospective to 11 February 2011. It directs authorities to revalidate or issue fresh certificates for candidates whose older seven-year validity expired.

CANDIDATE ACTIONDo not re-register solely because an old unofficial website says a previous CTET certificate expired after seven years. Preserve the mark statement and check the responsible authority's replacement/revalidation process and the recruiter's separate rules.

Read law or official policy

CBSE 22nd-edition bulletin: city selection, paper formats, correction restrictions

The 2026 CBSE bulletin states candidates cannot select the exam city: CBSE allots it, and routine city-change requests are not accepted. Corrections to allowed personal particulars are available only in the officially notified online correction interval, not through private agents or ad hoc exam-centre requests. Paper I concerns classes I–V, Paper II classes VI–VIII. Each paper is 150 single-mark MCQs in 150 minutes, without negative marking. The September bulletin's original exam date is now superseded by the later December notice.

CANDIDATE ACTIONCheck the actual paper and language combination recorded in your confirmation page. Before travel, wait for assigned city/date and e-admit card; verify all corrections and exceptions against the latest CBSE public notice.

Read law or official policy

ATTRIBUTED FIRSTHAND REPORTS

Community questions: what actually confuses candidates?

CTET-specific firsthand public examination retrospectives are sparse and unreliable compared with official CBSE material. We therefore attribute what discussions genuinely show instead of fabricating a test-centre story.

PUBLIC FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT · 2026-02-25

Applicants confuse passing CTET with being hired

A February 25 IndiaCareers discussion asks what happens after CTET qualification. Replies point to separate KVS/NVS recruitment notices, testing stages and appointment procedures rather than automatic allocation of a post.

Editorial takeaway: Treat CTET qualification and recruitment as two checklists. Monitor the actual KVS/NVS/state vacancy announcement; do not assume forum descriptions of interview rounds apply to every recruitment year.

Read the original discussion

PUBLIC FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT · 2026-10-13

A publicly self-described CTET-qualified candidate shared a practical syllabus strategy

In a June 2026 IndiaCareers conversation, a commenter on 13 October 2026 said they had passed CTET and described revising NCERT, child development and pedagogy lessons, and practice questions. Their passing status and course efficacy have not been independently verified; the advice is useful as one candidate's process, not a CBSE-endorsed shopping list.

Editorial takeaway: Start from the actual CBSE Paper I or Paper II syllabus and NCERT concepts before paying for coaching. Test yourself with past CBSE questions, check errors, and be skeptical of claims a particular channel guarantees success.

Read the original discussion

REALISTIC DECISION SCENARIOS

Candidate situations explained

I qualified years ago but my certificate says the old validity period.

Review NCTE's 9 June 2021 amendment and the current recruiting body's rules; do not automatically pay for another exam because an old blog repeats the seven-year limit.

The examination was rescheduled; can I submit a fresh application?

No automatic re-opening follows from an exam-date change. Check the dedicated new-application notice on ctet.nic.in, not a revised schedule in isolation.

I passed Paper II and now want a primary-school post.

Paper I tests eligibility for classes I–V, while Paper II covers VI–VIII. A Paper II pass is not a Paper I certificate; compare your target school's recruitment rules and NCTE education pathways before applying.

I thought I could select or change my exam city after paying.

The 2026 CTET bulletin says CBSE makes the city allocation and generally refuses changes. Check the allocated city and actual test date in official notices before travel; the admit card, not a coaching website's date table, specifies the precise centre.

I scored 90/150 but have not received a school job.

The ordinary 60% CTET qualification benchmark does not create an appointment. KVS/NVS/state-school posts may require separate academic eligibility, recruitment tests, documentation and other scoring; the recruiting authority decides.

Evidence limitations

This article distinguishes the 14 September 2026 revised dates from the older September-dated information bulletin used for format and fees. No 2027 CTET exam date was located in CBSE notices checked 16 October 2026; older years must not be projected. Forum statements about passing, particular courses, test-centre difficulty or recruitment tests are self-reports and cannot determine CBSE or employer policy. Detailed accessible accommodations and case-specific educational eligibility remain subject to official notices.

Additional research bibliography

Reviewed 2026-10-16

LEGAL SOURCEIndia Code · RTE Act, 2009, Section 23 (official statute)Statutory teacher-qualification framework; NCTE notifications separately determine applicable academic qualifications LEGAL SOURCENCTE 9 June 2021 TET validity amendmentParagraph 11 amendment, validity for life by default, retrospective to February 2011 OFFICIALCBSE 2026 CTET information bulletin (PDF)150 MCQs, fees, lack of negative marking, Paper I vs II, correction limitations; its original September exam date was superseded OFFICIALCBSE 14 September 2026 revised 22nd CTET date notice (PDF)12 and 13 December dates supersede original exam date OFFICIALCBSE examination eligibility and separate recruiting authoritySitting CTET is not eligibility verification or automatic appointment EXPERIENCECandidate discussion: CTET vs recruitmentRecruitment confusion; KVS/NVS posts governed by their own current vacancy notices EXPERIENCESelf-reported CTET-qualified candidate: preparation and NCERT13 October 2026 comment; pass claim and personal learning advice unverified

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

Is the 22nd CTET in September or December?

The later CBSE public notice dates the examination to 12 and 13 December 2026.

Can I apply now because the exam moved?

A date revision is not a new application window. No newly opened window is confirmed in the exam-date notice.

When will I know my exact exam centre?

CBSE states that centre details will be on the admit card, issued around two days before the exam; city and allotted date are communicated earlier. The board, not the applicant, allots the exam city.

Can I choose or later change the allotted examination city?

The 2026 information bulletin says CBSE allots the city and does not permit candidates to select or request changes. Confirm any newer exception only in official CBSE notices, not on a coaching website.

How many questions and is there negative marking?

Each paper has 150 single-mark MCQs over two and a half hours. The CBSE 2026 bulletin says there is no negative marking. Paper I and II cover different class levels and subject combinations.

Does a 90/150 CTET score guarantee a KVS teaching job?

No. The ordinary TET qualifying benchmark is 60%, subject to applicable rules, but CTET qualification is not a KVS, NVS or state job offer. Each employer independently verifies qualifications and recruitment criteria.

Has CBSE announced the 2027 CTET examination date?

Not in the official notices checked on 16 October 2026. We do not calculate a 2027 exam date from the December 2026 edition. Follow the CTET public-notices page for a new edition.

EVIDENCE LIBRARY

Primary official sources

Last editorial cross-check: 16 October 2026. Always follow the current notice for your jurisdiction, exam edition and candidate profile. This is an independent editorial guide, not an application service.

CBSE · 14 September 2026 replacement dates notice (official PDF)cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in · Checked 16 October 2026 CBSE · revised 22nd CTET notice pagectet.nic.in · Checked 16 October 2026 CBSE · 2026 original information bulletin (marking, fees, class levels)cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in · Checked 16 October 2026 CBSE · exam eligibility and hiring caveatctet.nic.in · Checked 16 October 2026 CBSE · public notices, corrections and new editionsctet.nic.in · Checked 16 October 2026 NCTE · 9 June 2021 TET lifetime certificate amendmentncte.gov.in · Checked 16 October 2026