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New Delhi December 16, 2025: Aspiring teachers across the country have only a few days left to apply for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) for the February 2026 session. The application window, which is being conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), will officially close on December 18, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Candidates are strongly advised to complete their online applications on the official website, ctet.nic.in, without waiting for the very last moment.
The CTET qualification is a mandatory requirement for appointment as a teacher for Classes I to VIII in Central Government Schools (like KVS, NVS) and various state and private schools that accept the score. The upcoming exam is scheduled for February 8, 2026.
Exam Overview and Key Dates
| Event | Date / Details |
| Application Start Date | November 27, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply & Pay Fee | December 18, 2025 (11:59 PM) |
| Correction Window | December 23 – December 26, 2025 |
| Exam Date (Paper I & II) | February 8, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen and Paper / OMR-based) |
Check Your Eligibility
The CTET exam is divided into two papers:
- Paper I: For candidates who wish to teach Classes 1 to 5 (Primary Level).
- Paper II: For candidates who wish to teach Classes 6 to 8 (Upper Primary Level).
You may apply for one or both papers if you meet the respective educational qualifications.
Key Educational Criteria (Summary):
- For Paper I (Classes 1-5): Generally requires Senior Secondary (10+2) with at least 50% marks AND a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.) or a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.), or equivalent qualifications as detailed in the official bulletin.
- For Paper II (Classes 6-8): Generally requires Graduation AND a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.) OR Graduation with 50% marks AND a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), or equivalent qualifications.
Note: Candidates who are in the final year of the prescribed teacher training course are also eligible to apply. There is no upper age limit for the CTET exam.
Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
Both Paper I and Paper II consist of 150 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), carrying a total of 150 marks. The duration for each paper is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
| Subject | Paper I (Classes 1-5) – Marks/Questions | Paper II (Classes 6-8) – Marks/Questions |
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 / 30 | 30 / 30 |
| Language I (Compulsory) | 30 / 30 | 30 / 30 |
| Language II (Compulsory) | 30 / 30 | 30 / 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 / 30 | 30 / 30 |
| Environmental Studies (EVS) | 30 / 30 | N/A |
| Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies/Science | N/A | 60 / 60 |
| Total | 150 / 150 | 150 / 150 |
Marking Scheme:
- Each correct answer fetches one mark.
- Crucially, there is NO negative marking for incorrect answers, so candidates are encouraged to attempt all questions.
Qualifying Marks:
A candidate must score a minimum of 60% (90 out of 150) to qualify for the General category. Reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD) generally require 55% (82 out of 150).
Score Validity: A Lifetime Achievement
In a major change introduced by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), the CTET qualifying certificate is now valid for a lifetime. Once you qualify, you will not need to reappear for the exam, though you may choose to do so to improve your score. This lifetime validity significantly boosts the credential’s value for a long-term teaching career.
Final Tip for Applicants
The CBSE has also informed applicants that the allotment of the exam city will be done on a random basis and requests for a change of the allotted city will not be entertained. Candidates are therefore urged to complete the application process today to secure their form submission and proceed with their preparation for the February 8, 2026, exam.