CTET September 2026 – Complete Guide: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Fee & Career After Qualifying
If you want to teach in a central government school — Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya Vidyalaya, Army Public School, or any school under the central government — CTET is the mandatory gateway. The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is not a job by itself, but clearing it opens doors to thousands of permanent teaching positions every year. CBSE conducts CTET twice a year, and the September 2026 edition is now open for applications.
The biggest change in recent years: CTET certificates are now lifetime valid. Earlier, the certificate expired after 7 years. Now, once you qualify CTET, that certificate works forever — no need to appear again. This single change has made CTET one of the most applied-for eligibility tests in India.
What Is CTET — And Who Should Appear?
CTET has two papers. Paper 1 qualifies you to teach Classes 1 to 5 (primary level). Paper 2 qualifies you to teach Classes 6 to 8 (upper primary level). You can appear in both papers in the same sitting if you want to be eligible for both levels. Many candidates do this to maximize their job opportunities.
CTET is mandatory for teaching posts in central government schools. State government teaching jobs (like UP TET, Bihar TET) require state-level TETs. If you're targeting central government teaching jobs specifically — KVS, NVS, DSSSB teacher posts, Army Public Schools, Central Tibetan Schools — CTET is non-negotiable.
CTET September 2026 – Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 11 May 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 11 May 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 10 June 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 10 June 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 15–18 June 2026 |
| Admit Card Available | 2 Days Before Exam |
| Exam Date | 06 September 2026 |
| Result | October 2026 (Tentative) |
Exam Pattern – Paper 1 vs Paper 2
Both papers are objective type (MCQ), each with 150 questions for 150 marks. Duration is 2.5 hours (150 minutes). There is no negative marking — so you should attempt all questions.
| Paper | For Class | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Class 1–5) | I–V (Primary) | Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 | ||
| Language II (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 | ||
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 | ||
| Environmental Studies (EVS) | 30 | 30 | ||
| Total | 150 | 150 | ||
| Paper 2 (Class 6–8) | VI–VIII (Upper Primary) | Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 | ||
| Language II (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 | ||
| Math & Science OR Social Studies / Social Science | 60 | 60 | ||
| Total | 150 | 150 | ||
| Duration: 2.5 hours (150 minutes) | No Negative Marking | — | |||
Eligibility Criteria
Paper 1 (Classes 1–5): 12th pass with at least 50% marks + 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) passed or appearing in final year. Alternatively, 12th with 45% + D.El.Ed (under NCTE norms), or 12th with 50% + 4-year B.El.Ed, or 12th with 50% + 2-year Diploma in Education (special education).
Paper 2 (Classes 6–8): Graduation (any stream) + 2-year D.El.Ed (passed or final year), OR Graduation with 50% + 1-year B.Ed (passed or appearing), OR Graduation with 45% + 1-year B.Ed (under NCTE norms), OR 12th with 50% + 4-year B.El.Ed (final year), OR Graduation with 50% + B.Ed (Special Education).
There is no upper age limit for CTET. Anyone who meets the educational qualification can apply regardless of age.
Application Fee
| Category | Paper 1 Only | Paper 2 Only | Both Papers |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹1,000 | ₹1,000 | ₹1,200 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹500 | ₹500 | ₹600 |
| Payment Mode: Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking / E-Challan | |||
Passing Marks & Certificate Validity
You need to score 60% or above (90 out of 150) to qualify CTET in the General category. For SC / ST / OBC / PwD candidates, the qualifying mark is 55% (82–83 out of 150). Candidates who qualify get a CTET Certificate issued by CBSE.
The CTET certificate is now lifetime valid — there is no expiry. This is a permanent change made by the Government of India. Once you clear CTET, you never have to appear again for eligibility purposes.
Jobs You Can Get After Clearing CTET
CTET qualification opens up applications for:
| Organisation | Posts | Paper Required |
|---|---|---|
| Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) | PRT, TGT | Paper 1 (PRT), Paper 2 (TGT) |
| Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) | PGT, TGT, PRT | Paper 1 / Paper 2 |
| Army Public Schools (AWES) | PGT, TGT, PRT | Paper 1 / Paper 2 |
| Central Tibetan Schools (CTSA) | TGT, PRT | Paper 1 / Paper 2 |
| DSSSB (Delhi Subordinate Services) | Primary & Upper Primary Teachers | Paper 1 / Paper 2 |
| Sainik Schools | Various Teaching Posts | Paper 1 / Paper 2 |
KVS and NVS are the most coveted postings — permanent government jobs with 7th Pay Commission salaries, housing facilities, and job security. KVS PRT starts at Pay Level 7 (₹44,900+), TGT at Pay Level 8 (₹47,600+). NVS salaries are comparable.
How to Apply for CTET September 2026
Applications are accepted only online at ctet.nic.in. The process: register with mobile and email → fill basic details → upload photo and signature → choose Paper 1, Paper 2, or both → pay fee online → submit and download confirmation page. There is no offline mode. The last date to apply is 10 June 2026 — do not wait for the last few days as servers get overloaded.
A correction window opens from 15–18 June 2026 if you need to fix any details in your application. Use it if needed — mistakes in name, category, or paper selection cannot be changed after this window closes.