The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will close the CTET February 2026 registration process today, December 18, 2025, at 11:59 PM sharp. Candidates who have not yet submitted their application forms must do so immediately on the official website ctet.nic.in, as no extension has been announced so far.

The CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) is one of India’s largest teacher eligibility exams. It acts as a mandatory qualification for teaching jobs in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), central government schools, state-government schools, and recognized private institutions.

CTET 2026: A Quick Overview

• Exam Name: Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET)

• Conducting Body: CBSE

• Exam Mode: Pen-and-paper (OMR-based)

• Frequency: Twice a year

• Exam Languages: 20

• Total Applicants Expected: Approx. 28–30 lakh candidates this session

• Exam Date: February 8, 2026

This huge number of applicants shows how important CTET has become for teacher recruitment in India. In 2025, more than 27.5 lakh candidates registered for CTET, and the number is expected to rise further in 2026.

Important Dates for CTET February 2026

Important Notice:
✔ Once the application is submitted, the exam city cannot be changed. CBSE will allocate centres automatically based on the availability of seats.

CTET Statistics (Past Trends)

Including statistics helps readers understand the scale and importance of the exam.

CTET Registration Trends (Last 3 Sessions)

CTET Pass Percentage (Approx.)

• Paper I: ~24%

• Paper II: ~17%

Why Is CTET Getting More Competitive?

• Increase in teaching jobs under NEP 2020 implementation

• Rising demand for government jobs

• Private schools also accepting CTET scores

• Higher awareness of teacher qualification standards

How to Apply for CTET February 2026

Candidates can apply ONLY on ctet.nic.in.
Here is the simple and clear process:

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1 – Registration

Fill personal details such as name, address, contact number, academic information, etc.

Step 2 – Upload Documents

Upload:

• Recent passport-size photograph

• Candidate’s signature

Make sure images meet the size and dimension requirements.

Step 3 – Application Fee Payment

Pay the fee through:

• Debit Card

• Credit Card

• Net Banking

• UPI

Step 4 – Preview Your Form

Recheck the details carefully. Any incorrect information may lead to rejection.

Step 5 – Submit the Form

After submission, download and save the:

• Confirmation page

• Application number

• Payment receipt

These will be required later to download the admit card.

CTET 2026 Exam Structure

The CTET exam consists of two papers, both with multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

Paper I (Classes 1–5)

• Child Development & Pedagogy

• Language I

• Language II

• Mathematics

• Environmental Studies

Paper II (Classes 6–8)

• Child Development & Pedagogy

• Language I & II

• Mathematics & Science (for Science teachers)

• Social Studies/Social Science (for Social Science teachers)

Each paper is of 150 minutes with 150 marks.

Eligibility Criteria

CBSE has set specific educational requirements such as:

For Paper I

• 12th pass + D.El.Ed
  or

• 12th pass + B.El.Ed

For Paper II

• Graduation + B.Ed
  or

• Graduation + D.El.Ed (specific conditions apply)

Candidates who meet both criteria can appear for both papers.

CTET Application Fee 2026