CBSE Announces CTET September 2026 Dates

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially confirmed that the 22nd edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) will be held on September 6, 2026. The online registration window is set to open on May 11.

According to a public notice issued on May 8, the application process will continue until June 10, closing at 11:59 PM. The exam will be conducted across 132 cities nationwide in twenty-seven different languages.

Random City Allotment Rule Introduced

In a significant shift from previous practice, the Board has clarified that candidates will not be allowed to choose their preferred exam city. The examination city will be allotted on a random basis.

Officials have made it clear that no requests for a change of allotted city will be entertained under any circumstances. This move is likely aimed at streamlining logistics and preventing overcrowding at specific centres, though it has already sparked some anxiety among aspirants in smaller towns who may have to travel further.

Two-Day Exam Possibility

While September 6, a Sunday, is the primary date, the notice carries a crucial caveat. "In case the number of candidates increases, the examination may also be conducted on September 5, 2026 (Saturday)," the official notification reads.

Sources familiar with the matter said a final decision on a second day will be taken closer to the deadline based on applicant volume. This flexibility mirrors the pattern seen in other large-scale recruitment exams managed by agencies like the NTA.

How to Apply and Fee Deadline

Aspiring candidates can submit their forms through the official websites—ctet.nic.in or cbse.gov.in. The detailed Information Bulletin, which includes the syllabus, language options, eligibility criteria, and category-wise fee structure, will be released shortly.

The last date to pay the application fee using debit card, credit card, or net banking is also June 10, up to 23:59 hrs.

Correction Window and Admit Cards

CBSE will provide a limited window for online corrections from June 15 to June 18. Authorities have warned that no edits will be allowed after this period, so applicants are advised to double-check their photo, signature, and personal details carefully.

Admit cards will be available for download two days before the exam. The results are tentatively scheduled for release by the end of October 2026.

A Crucial Gateway for Teaching Aspirants

The CTET qualification remains a mandatory requirement for recruitment as a teacher in central government schools, including Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, as well as schools under the administrative control of the UT of Chandigarh and other aided institutions.

With lakhs of candidates expected to apply, the random city allotment is expected to be the most closely watched change this cycle. Local coaching centres in Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar and Rajendra Nagar reported a rush of queries on Saturday morning from students trying to understand the new rule.

The Board has urged applicants to only download the information bulletin from the official website and to remain cautious of misleading information circulating on social media.

The Central Board of Secondary Education has started the online application process for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) September 2026 session. Eligible candidates seeking teaching jobs in primary and upper primary schools across India can now submit their applications through the official CTET portal. The last date for registration and fee payment is June 10, 2026.

According to the official notification, the CTET September 2026 examination will be conducted on September 6, 2026, for both Paper I and Paper II. The national-level eligibility exam is conducted for candidates aspiring to become teachers for Classes I to VIII in government and private schools affiliated with the CBSE.

Registration Window Open

The online registration process for CTET September 2026 began on May 11, 2026. Candidates can complete the application form, upload documents and pay the examination fee through the online mode only.

CBSE has also announced that the application correction facility will remain open from June 15 to June 18, 2026. During this period, candidates can edit selected details in their submitted forms. Officials advised applicants to complete the registration process early to avoid technical issues and limited exam city availability during the final days of application submission.

Exam Centres Limited

CBSE stated that examination centres in many cities have limited seating capacity this year. Candidates filling the CTET form will be able to view live availability of exam cities during registration. The board has urged applicants to choose their preferred centres as early as possible because slots may close once the capacity limit is reached. This development has generated significant attention among teaching aspirants and education sector observers, making it one of the Trending News India updates in the education category.

Primary Level Eligibility

For CTET Paper I, which is conducted for candidates aiming to teach Classes I to V, applicants must fulfil one of the prescribed eligibility conditions. Candidates who have passed Senior Secondary or equivalent with at least 50 per cent marks and completed or are appearing in a two-year Diploma in Elementary Education are eligible to apply. Applicants with 45 per cent marks in Senior Secondary and a Diploma in Elementary Education recognised under NCTE regulations can also apply.

In addition, candidates pursuing or completing four-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed) programmes or Diploma in Education (Special Education) with required marks are eligible for the examination. CBSE clarified that detailed eligibility rules are available in the official information bulletin released alongside the notification.

Junior Level Criteria

CTET Paper II is meant for candidates seeking eligibility to teach Classes VI to VIII.

Graduates with a two-year Diploma in Elementary Education or candidates pursuing final-year teacher education programmes can apply. Applicants with at least 50 per cent marks in Graduation or Post-Graduation along with B.Ed qualifications are also eligible.

The notification further stated that candidates holding B.Ed (Special Education), integrated B.Ed-M.Ed programmes, or four-year integrated education degrees recognised by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) are permitted to appear in the exam. As per existing guidelines, candidates pursuing recognised teacher education courses approved by NCTE or the Rehabilitation Council of India are also eligible for CTET September 2026.

Documents Required Online

Candidates applying for the CTET September 2026 exam must keep essential documents ready before beginning the registration process. Applicants need scanned copies of passport-size photographs, signatures, identity proof and educational qualification certificates. They must also verify personal details, address information and eligibility criteria carefully before final submission.

Officials said incomplete applications or forms submitted without payment of the prescribed examination fee will not be accepted. Candidates have also been advised to keep a printout of the final submitted form for future reference.

Important Examination Dates

The CTET September 2026 schedule released by CBSE includes several important deadlines for candidates. The last date to submit the application form is June 10, 2026, while the fee payment deadline also falls on the same date. The correction window will remain active between June 15 and June 18, 2026. The examination itself will be conducted on September 6, 2026, at various centres across the country.

Education experts said CTET continues to remain one of the most important eligibility examinations for teacher recruitment in India, especially for candidates seeking opportunities in central government schools and institutions.

Teacher Recruitment Impact

The CTET qualification is mandatory for recruitment in several government schools, including Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and schools managed by Union Territories.

The latest notification comes amid increasing recruitment activity in the education sector and ongoing Government Updates related to school education reforms. Candidates clearing CTET become eligible to apply for teaching positions, although qualifying the examination does not guarantee direct recruitment.

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