The Central Board of Secondary Education has officially kicked off the application process for the CTET February 2026, with the exam scheduled for February 8, 2026. The notification dropped on November 27, 2025 — and so did the deadline: December 18, 2025, at 11:59 PM IST. That’s just 21 days to apply for one of India’s most competitive teaching eligibility exams. No extensions. No grace period. If you miss it, you wait another six months.
Why This Deadline Matters
Three weeks. That’s all candidates have to register, upload documents, pay fees, and confirm their details. Compare that to past cycles, where the window stretched to 45 days. This compressed timeline is intentional — and stressful. Teachers across rural Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Bihar are already scrambling. One applicant from Patna told a local education forum, “I had to take two days off work just to get my documents notarized.” The Central Board of Secondary Education, headquartered in New Delhi under the Ministry of Education, has made it clear: ctet.nic.in is the only portal that matters. No third-party site, no WhatsApp group, no YouTube tutorial can substitute the official application. And yes — they’re still using OMR sheets. No digital exams here. Candidates will fill in bubbles with black ink pens on paper, just like in 2015. It’s old-school, but it’s secure.Who Can Apply and How Much It Costs
The exam has two papers. Paper 1 is for those aiming to teach Classes I to V. Paper 2 targets Classes VI to VIII. You can take one or both. The fees reflect that:- General and OBC candidates: ₹1,000 for one paper, ₹1,200 for both
- SC, ST, and PwD candidates: ₹500 for one paper, ₹600 for both
Language, Location, and Logistics
This year’s exam will be held in 132 cities across India, including smaller towns like Bikaner, Agartala, and Sambalpur — a deliberate push to reduce urban bias. And for the first time in a while, the test will be offered in 20 languages, including Bhojpuri, Tulu, and Mizo. That’s a win for regional candidates who struggle with English or Hindi as a medium. The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) sets the standards, and CTET is the gatekeeper. Passing it doesn’t guarantee a job — but it’s the mandatory first step for government school teaching roles under the Right to Education Act. Without it, even the most qualified candidate can’t be hired in most states.What Comes Next?
Admit cards are expected around January 25, 2026 — roughly two weeks before the exam. Results? Historically, they drop within 45 days. That means February 2026 results could land by late March. But don’t count on it. In 2024, results were delayed by 18 days due to a data mismatch in 12 states. The Central Board of Secondary Education has promised “streamlined processing,” but past performance doesn’t guarantee future reliability. The 2026 edition is officially the 21st CTET. That’s a milestone. It’s also a signal: teacher recruitment in India isn’t slowing down. With over 1.5 million vacancies estimated in government schools, and 2.3 million applicants expected this cycle, competition is fiercer than ever. One teacher training institute in Hyderabad reported a 40% spike in applications this year compared to 2024.
What’s Behind the Confusion Over ‘2025’ vs ‘2026’?
Yes, the exam is called CTET February 2026 — but it’s part of the 2025-26 academic cycle. That’s why some sites still call it CTET 2025. The Central Board of Secondary Education didn’t clarify this in the notification, leading to widespread confusion. Careers360 and Testbook.com have since corrected their labeling, but many coaching centers still use outdated terminology. If you’re applying, ignore the year labels. Focus on the date: February 8, 2026.Final Checklist Before You Apply
- Visit ctet.nic.in — no other site is official
- Have your ID proof, photo, signature, and category certificate ready
- Pay fees only via net banking, UPI, or debit/credit card
- Download and print your confirmation page — keep it forever
- Double-check your chosen exam center and language preference
There’s no second chance. No backup window. If you’re serious about teaching in India’s public schools, this is your moment — and it’s ticking away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for both CTET Paper 1 and Paper 2 in the same application?
Yes. Candidates can apply for both papers in a single application, paying ₹1,200 (General/OBC) or ₹600 (SC/ST/PwD). You’ll receive one admit card with two session slots — Paper 1 in the morning, Paper 2 in the afternoon. But you must qualify both to be eligible for teaching Classes I-VIII. Many candidates take both to improve their job prospects.
What if I miss the December 18, 2025 deadline?
You won’t be able to apply until the next cycle — expected in July 2026. The Central Board of Secondary Education has never extended the deadline, even for technical issues. If the portal crashes at 11:58 PM, too bad. That’s why experts advise submitting by December 15. No exceptions are made, even for medical emergencies or power outages.
Is CTET valid across all Indian states?
Yes. CTET is a national eligibility test recognized by all states under the Right to Education Act. However, some states like Delhi, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu conduct their own state-level TETs alongside CTET. You can take both — but only CTET qualifies you for central government schools like KVS, NVS, and CBSE-affiliated institutions nationwide.
How many times can I take the CTET exam?
There’s no limit. You can retake CTET as many times as you want, even if you’ve already passed. Many candidates retake it to improve their score — since some state recruitment boards use CTET marks for merit ranking. The certificate is valid for life, but higher scores can give you an edge in competitive hiring pools.
Are there any age limits for CTET applicants?
No. Unlike many government exams, CTET has no upper or lower age limit. A 17-year-old who’s completed Class 12 can apply for Paper 1, and a 60-year-old returning to teaching can take Paper 2. The only requirement is educational qualification — typically a diploma or degree in education. This openness makes CTET one of India’s most inclusive teacher recruitment gateways.
What documents are needed for SC/ST/PwD category applicants?
You must upload a valid caste or disability certificate issued by a competent authority — district collector, tehsildar, or medical board. The certificate must be in English or Hindi, and dated after January 1, 2024. Photocopies or self-declared certificates won’t be accepted. If your document doesn’t match the name on your ID, your application will be rejected — no appeals.