CTET 2026 Exam Date has been officially announced by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on the official website ctet.nic.in. According to the official public notice, the 22nd edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) will be conducted nationwide on December 12 and December 13, 2026. The examination city intimation slip will be released 15 days before the exam, while candidates will be able to download their final admit card 2 days prior to the test date.
Latest status — verified on September 15, 2026: CBSE has released the official public circular confirming that the CTET December 2026 examination will take place on December 12 and December 13, 2026 across designated test cities in India. City slips will be uploaded 15 days in advance on ctet.nic.in.
Quick Facts: CTET 2026 Exam Date & Schedule
Here is a quick summary of the official dates and key information released by CBSE for the upcoming CTET exam.
| Key Parameter | Official Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), New Delhi |
| Exam Name | Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET 2026 – 22nd Edition) |
| Official Exam Dates | December 12 and December 13, 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Offline (OMR Pen and Paper Based Test) |
| City Intimation Slip Date | 15 Days Before Exam (Late November 2026) |
| Admit Card Release Date | 2 Days Before Exam (December 10, 2026) |
| Paper 1 Target Group | Primary Stage Teachers (Classes 1 to 5) |
| Paper 2 Target Group | Elementary Stage Teachers (Classes 6 to 8) |
| Certificate Validity | Lifetime Validity |
| Official Website Portal | ctet.nic.in |
| Verification Date | September 15, 2026 |
Source: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Official Public Notice.
What is CTET 2026?
The CTET 2026 Exam Date announcement gives teaching aspirants a clear deadline to prepare for national eligibility. The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a mandatory qualifying test for anyone who wants to teach in central government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS), Central Tibetan Schools, and schools under the administrative control of Union Territories.
The exam is split into two papers: Paper 1 is for candidates aiming to teach Classes 1 to 5, and Paper 2 is for candidates wishing to teach Classes 6 to 8. Candidates who wish to teach both levels can appear for both papers.
CTET 2026 Shift Timings & Exam Day Schedule
CBSE conducts the CTET exam in two daily shifts. Candidates must arrive at the examination center at least 90 minutes before the start time.
| Exam Paper | Shift Timing | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 2 (Classes 6 to 8) | Shift 1: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM (Morning) | 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
| Paper 1 (Classes 1 to 5) | Shift 2: 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM (Afternoon) | 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
Source: CBSE CTET Official Information Bulletin.
City Intimation Slip and Admit Card Release Timeline
CBSE follows a structured two-stage hall ticket release process to make travel easy for candidates:
- Pre-Admit Card (Exam City Slip): Available 15 days before the examination. It shows your assigned exam city and exam date so you can book travel tickets in advance.
- Final Admit Card: Available 2 days before the examination on ctet.nic.in. It contains your exact test center name, center code, roll number, and exam day rules.
CTET Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
Understanding the test pattern helps you focus your study plan. Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 contain 150 objective multiple-choice questions.
| Section / Subject | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy (Compulsory) | 30 MCQs | 30 Marks |
| Language 1 (Compulsory) | 30 MCQs | 30 Marks |
| Language 2 (Compulsory) | 30 MCQs | 30 Marks |
| Mathematics (Paper 1) / Maths & Science or Social Studies (Paper 2) | 30 / 60 MCQs | 30 / 60 Marks |
| Environmental Studies (Paper 1 only) | 30 MCQs | 30 Marks |
| Total Test Paper | 150 Questions | 150 Marks |
Source: CBSE CTET Examination Scheme.
Marking Rules: Each question carries +1 mark. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
Qualifying Marks and Certificate Validity
To qualify the CTET examination, candidates must score equal to or higher than the minimum passing marks set by CBSE:
- General Category: Minimum 60% marks (90 out of 150 marks).
- SC, ST, OBC, and PwD Categories: Minimum 55% marks (82 out of 150 marks).
- Certificate Validity: The CTET qualifying certificate remains valid for a lifetime for all candidate categories.
How to Check Exam Date and Download Admit Card on ctet.nic.in
Follow these simple steps on your mobile phone or computer:
- Step 1: Visit the official website: ctet.nic.in.
- Step 2: Click on the link “Download Admit Card / City Intimation for CTET 2026”.
- Step 3: Enter your Application Number, Date of Birth, and Security Pin.
- Step 4: Click “Submit” to view your hall ticket on the screen.
- Step 5: Download the PDF file and print 2 colored copies along with the self-declaration undertaking.
Official Helpdesk and Contact Information
If you have any doubts regarding your application or exam center allotment, contact the official CTET cell:
- Official Website: ctet.nic.in
- CBSE Main Website: cbse.gov.in
- Helpline Numbers: 011-22240112, 011-22237007 (During working hours 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM)
- Email Address: [email protected]
- Office Address: CTET Unit, Central Board of Secondary Education, PS 1-2, Institutional Area, IP Extension, Patparganj, Delhi – 110092.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the official CTET 2026 exam date?
Answer: The CTET 2026 (22nd edition) examination will be held on December 12 and December 13, 2026, as officially confirmed by CBSE in its public notice.
Q2: When will the CTET 2026 exam city slip be released?
Answer: The exam city intimation slip will be made available online on ctet.nic.in approximately 15 days before the examination date.
Q3: When can I download the final CTET admit card?
Answer: Candidates can download their final CTET admit card 2 days before the exam date by logging in with their application number and date of birth.
Q4: Is there any negative marking in the CTET 2026 exam?
Answer: No, there is no negative marking in CTET. Candidates receive +1 mark for each correct answer and 0 marks for unattempted or wrong answers.
Q5: What are the passing marks for CTET 2026?
Answer: General category candidates must score at least 60% (90 marks out of 150), while SC, ST, OBC, and PwD candidates need 55% (82 marks out of 150) to pass.
Q6: How long is the CTET certificate valid?
Answer: The CTET qualifying certificate is valid for a lifetime for all candidates across all states and union territories in India.
Q7: What is the difference between Paper 1 and Paper 2?
Answer: Paper 1 is for candidates who intend to teach primary classes (Classes 1 to 5), while Paper 2 is for candidates who want to teach elementary classes (Classes 6 to 8).
Q8: Where can I check official updates for the CTET exam?
Answer: You can check all official notices, city slips, admit cards, and results directly on the official portal at ctet.nic.in.
Sources Checked and Editorial Verification
- Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) Official Website
- Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Update Policy: This page will be revised immediately when CBSE releases the city intimation link or admit card download notice.