Overview of CTET September 2026 Session
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) officially released the CTET Notification 2026 for the upcoming September session. Aspirants aiming for teaching opportunities in central and state educational institutions can access the Download Official PDF to review complete guidelines. Candidates can also complete their registration process via the CTET 2026 Apply Online Link – Click to Apply.
The exam sets a standard benchmark for aspiring educators across institutions managed by bodies like NCTE, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), and Army Public Schools, with certificates verified securely through DigiLocker.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) |
| Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Education |
| Session | September Session 2026 |
| Exam Level | National Level Eligibility Test |
| Frequency of Exam | Conducted Twice Every Year |
| CTET 2026 Notification | 11th May 2026 |
| Application Schedule | 11th May 2026 – 10th June 2026 25 August 2026 – 01 September 2026 |
| CTET Exam Date | 6th September 2026 Postponed |
| Mode of Examination | Offline (Pen-and-Paper Based) |
| Duration of Exam | 2 Hours 30 Minutes (150 Minutes) for Each Paper |
| Papers Conducted | Paper I (Classes I to V) and Paper II (Classes VI to VIII) |
| Official Website | https://ctet.nic.in |
Key Examination Dates and Schedule Updates
Candidates should carefully track the timeline for application submission and subsequent notifications. While the original application window was set between 11 May 2026 and 10 June 2026, CBSE has announced that the application window reopens from 25 August 2026 to 01 September 2026. Furthermore, note that the CTET Exam 2026 previously scheduled for 6 September 2026 has been postponed.
| Particulars | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| Online Application Starts | 11 May 2026 (Reopens on 25 August 2026) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 10 June 2026 (11:59 PM) (Last Date Now 01 September 2026) |
| Admit Card Release | Two days before the exam |
| CTET 2026 Exam Date | 06 September 2026 (Sunday) Postponed |
| Result Declaration | By the end of October 2026 (Tentative) |
Eligibility Criteria and Qualifications
To participate in the test, applicants must fulfill specific educational and age parameters. Review the comprehensive CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 to ensure compliance. The minimum age required is 17 years old, with no maximum age restriction, and applicants must be Indian citizens.
| Criteria | CTET Paper 1 Eligibility (Classes I to V) | CTET Paper 2 Eligibility (Classes VI to VIII) |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Level | Primary Stage Teacher | Elementary Stage Teacher |
| Minimum Age Required | The candidate must be at least 17 years old | The candidate must be at least 17 years old |
| Upper Age Limit | No maximum age restriction | No maximum age restriction |
| Citizenship | The applicant must be an Indian citizen | The applicant must be an Indian citizen |
| Educational Qualification – Option 1 | Passed Senior Secondary with a minimum of 50% marks and completed/appearing in 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) | Graduation degree along with completed/appearing in the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) |
| Educational Qualification – Option 2 | Passed Senior Secondary with a minimum of 45% marks and completed/appearing in 2-year D.El.Ed, in accordance with NCTE regulations | Graduation with a minimum of 45% marks and completed/appearing in B.Ed as per NCTE guidelines |
| Educational Qualification – Option 3 | Passed Class 12 with at least 50% marks and completed/appearing in a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed) | Passed Senior Secondary with a minimum of 50% marks and completed/appearing in 4-year B.El.Ed. program. |
| Educational Qualification – Option 4 | Passed Senior Secondary with minimum 50% marks and completed/appearing in a diploma in Education (Special Education) | Passed Senior Secondary with a minimum of 50% marks and completed/appearing in a 4-year integrated |
Exam Structure and Selection Process
The exam is conducted offline (pen-and-paper based) with a duration of 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes) for each paper. Paper I is designed for Classes I to V (Primary Stage Teacher), while Paper II is for Classes VI to VIII (Elementary Stage Teacher). For insight into evaluation phases, learn more via the CTET September Selection Process article.
CTET Certificate Validity Features
- CTET certificate validity is lifetime
- Applicable for both Paper I and Paper II
- Valid for Central Government teaching recruitment
- Accepted by many State Government schools and private institutions
- Candidates can reappear to improve their CTET score
Read further specifics on the CTET Certificate Validity 2026 guideline.
Why CTET 2026 is a Great Opportunity
- Lifetime-valid CTET certificate
- Eligibility for Central Government teacher jobs
- Opportunity to apply in KVS, NVS, Army Public Schools, and CBSE schools
- High government teacher salary packages
- Job security and promotion opportunities
- Increasing demand for qualified teachers
- Multiple attempts allowed for score improvement
- Better career opportunities after B.Ed and D.El.Ed
Expected Teacher Salary Structure
Qualifying the examination opens doors to lucrative government positions. Detailed breakdowns are available in the CTET Teacher Salary 2026 guide.
| Teacher Post | Expected Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| Primary Teacher (PRT) | ₹35,000 to ₹55,000 |
| Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) | ₹45,000 to ₹70,000 |
| Postgraduate Teacher (PGT) | ₹55,000 to ₹90,000 |