CTET 2026: A Complete Guide to Exam Date, Syllabus & Eligibility

Loading image...

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET 2026) is one of the most popular exams across India, for aspiring teachers looking to build a career in government and private schools. Conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), CTET is a qualifying exam to set a benchmark in quality of teaching. It ensures that only well-qualified candidates enter the Indian education system.

The CTET certification is a must-have qualification to secure teaching jobs in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and a number of other state and private schools. So, if you are planning to appear for CTET 2026, this comprehensive guide will help you understand the tentative exam date, process of application, latest syllabus, eligibility criteria, exam pattern and trends, preparation strategy, and also where to take a free CTET mock test. Continue reading to get step-by-step guidance for the CTET exam so you can prepare confidently and clear your exam.

CTET 2026 Exam Date (Expected)

CTET 2026 is expected to be conducted in the month of July 2026, following CBSE’s usual exam cycle. Though the official notification will be released around April–May 2026 on the CTET website, July is the tentative month so you should start your prep accordingly. The exam will be held in offline, OMR-based mode.

Paper 1 is meant for candidates who want to teach Classes I to V, while Paper 2 is for those candidates who want to teach Classes VI to VIII. Candidates may also appear for both papers if they want to secure eligibility for teaching across Primary as well as Upper Primary classes.

CTET 2026 Notification

The CTET 2026 notification will have all the details related to the exam timings, date of registration, eligibility criteria, exam pattern for 2026, complete syllabus, and information regarding the exam centres.

The notification is not out yet. Nevertheless, the candidates can start preparing early because the CTET syllabus and pattern rarely undergo any major change. Early preparation gives you an edge over the other candidates who start late, as you can revise your syllabus multiple times and do mock tests closer to the exam date.

CTET Application Form 2026

The CTET 2026 application form will be available online on the official CTET website. The candidates can register using their email ID and basic details such as personal and academic details. The portal will also ask candidates to upload documents, and pay the application fee online.

Make sure to keep your documents (such as passport-size photograph, scanned signature, Class 10th certificate, ID proof, and teaching qualification documents) ready by your side as these documents need to be uploaded during the application process.

The fee amount for CTET 2026 application form is expected to remain the same. For one paper, it is ₹1000 for General/OBC candidates and ₹500 for SC/ST/PwD candidates. For both papers, the fee is ₹1200 for General/OBC and ₹600 for SC/ST/PwD.

CTET Eligibility 2026

Coming to the eligibility for CTET 2026, note that the criteria differs for Paper 1 and Paper 2. Candidates who are applying for Paper 1 must meet the educational requirements for the Primary level, while those who are applying for Paper 2, require qualifications suitable for teaching at the Upper Primary level.

For Paper 1, the qualification is that the candidate must have passed 12th with at least 50% marks and have completed D.El.Ed. Even graduates with D.El.Ed or B.Ed can now appear for Paper 1 as per the revised NCTE guidelines.

For Paper 2, the qualification requires graduation with D.El.Ed or B.Ed, or 12th with 50% marks along with B.El.Ed. Candidates having B.A./B.Sc.Ed. or B.A.Ed./B.Sc.Ed. degrees are also eligible.

One of the most common dilemmas among the CTET candidates is whether B.Ed is compulsory for appearing for CTET. The answer is NO. You can appear for CTET examination through various teacher-training routes such as D.El.Ed, B.El.Ed, or B.Ed depending on the level (primary or upper primary) you choose.

Also, note that the eligibility guidelines does not mention any upper age limit for CTET exam. As long as you meet the educational and other laid down requirements, you can apply at any age.

CTET 2026 Exam Pattern

CTET has a very straightforward exam pattern. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions of 150 marks. There is no negative marking, which is a plus point for the candidates as it gives them the confidence to attempt all questions.

Paper 1 covers the following: Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, Mathematics, and Environmental Studies.
Paper 2 includes the following: Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, and either Mathematics & Science or Social Studies, depending on the preference of the candidate.

Unlike many exams, in the CTET exam each section carries equal weight, making a balanced preparation vital for the candidates. Child Development and Pedagogy remains the most crucial section because it tests conceptual clarity of teaching and learning principles, and thus becomes the deciding factor in your final score.

CTET 2026 Syllabus

The CTET syllabus is designed in such a way that it tests conceptual understanding of the candidate rather than the memorization. Whether you're preparing for Paper 1 or Paper 2, the syllabus is usually focused on pedagogy, language proficiency, classroom methodology, and subject knowledge.

Paper 1 will test your knowledge on the foundational topics such as stages of child development, Piaget’s and Vygotsky’s theories, learning processes, inclusive education, and classroom environment. The language section is made to test your comprehension, grammar, and teaching methods for language skills. The mathematics section includes basic geometry, numbers, measurements, and data handling. Lastly, EVS focuses on themes like food, water, travel, plants, animals, and environmental relationships while also testing EVS pedagogy.

Paper 2 moves deeper into conceptual knowledge for subjects like Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. It covers topics such as algebra, geometry, motion, force, life processes, history, geography, and political systems. The pedagogy sections remain consistent across both papers, which focus heavily on teaching approaches and child psychology- main ingredient to be a good teacher.

Candidates who are preparing for CTET 2026 must go through the detailed syllabus and must focus maximum on pedagogy, as it contributes 30 marks in both papers and is often the deciding factor in cracking CTET.

CTET 2026 Pass Marks

To qualify for the CTET examination, candidates need to score at least 60% (90 out of 150 marks). This is applicable to candidates appearing under the General category. Schools run by the central government follow this strictly.

However, state-run schools and private institutions may offer certain relaxation for candidates appearing as OBC, SC, ST, and PwD, usually accepting scores around 82–85 (depending on their recruitment policies).

CTET Certificate Validity

When we talk about the validity of your CTET certificate, one of the biggest advantages is that the certificate now is valid for a lifetime. This means that once you qualify CTET, you do not need to reappear in future CTET exams (unless you want to improve your marks). This allows candidates to apply freely for various teaching positions at any time during their career.

How to Prepare for CTET 2025

CTET is not an exam that poses difficult questions to test your knowledge. Instead, it is an exam that tests your understanding. The questions that are being asked usually focus on concept clarity, teaching abilities, reasoning, and application of teaching principles.

Keeping this in mind, here is a practical preparation strategy that thousands of CTET toppers follow and thus, succeed:

Before you start the prep, understand the exam pattern carefully. Print the detailed syllabus and keep it in front of you throughout your exam preparation to re-look at whenever required.
Start preparing for Pedagogy first. As mentioned before, this subject is the heart of CTET. Understanding child psychology, learning theories, teaching methodology, inclusive classroom approaches, and the characteristics of learners is very much essential to pass this exam. Pedagogy sets the foundation for every teaching subject. Also, this subject alone makes up to 30 marks in each paper.
Before going for extra material, prepare NCERT books thoroughly as these are your core material. More than 70% of CTET questions are directly based on the NCERT concept. So start preparing from NCERT for Classes 1 to 8. For each subject- Maths, Science, or Social Studies,etc., NCERT must be your primary source.
Once the syllabus is complete, start solving the previous year question papers. This is one of the easiest ways to understand the pattern of the past examinations. Repeated practice of past few years of exams also helps you improve speed while strengthening your conceptual clarity.
Start taking mock tests regularly. A mock test will help you evaluate your preparation standards and also train you for time management. Many candidates lose on the scores because they are unable to complete the exam on time.
Make consistent revision of your notes a priority. Pedagogy, languages, and core subject concepts require repeated revision. Remember to prepare mind maps and short notes for revision and focus more towards the subjects which you feel is your weak area.

Free CTET 2026 Mock Test

A mock test is essential for competitive exams like CTET. You can practice with a 50-question CTET 2026 mock test to analyze your preparation and also to improve your accuracy as regard to solving questions. Attempting mock tests on a weekly basis can significantly increase your score.

FAQs

When will CTET 2026 be conducted?
CTET 2026 is expected to be held in July 2026.

What is the age limit for CTET 2026?
There is no upper age limit for the CTET exam.

What is the qualification for CTET Paper 1?
12th pass with D.El.Ed or B.El.Ed or graduates with D.El.Ed/B.Ed can apply.

What is the qualification for CTET Paper 2?
Graduation with D.El.Ed/B.Ed or 12th with B.El.Ed.

Is B.Ed compulsory for CTET?
No. Candidates with D.El.Ed or B.El.Ed can also apply.

How many attempts are allowed?
Unlimited. You can attempt CTET as many times as you wish.

What is the application fee?
₹1000 for one paper and ₹1200 for both (General/OBC). Lower for SC/ST/PwD.

What is the CTET 2026 exam pattern?
150 MCQs carrying 150 marks. There is no negative marking.

Can I prepare for CTET at home?
Yes. NCERT books, pedagogy notes, mock tests, and previous papers are enough for CTET preparation.

Is the CTET certificate valid for lifetime?
Yes.

How many marks are required to pass CTET?
90 out of 150 (General category). Relaxation for others as per state rules.

Where can I take a free CTET mock test?
You can take the free “CTET 2026 Mock Test – 50 Questions with Answers” available online.

Current Topics

Nikka Chauhan

| Posted on December 3, 2025