CBSE CTET 2026 Notification Released: September Exam Date, Registration Starts at ctet.nic.in—Check New Changes
The CBSE has officially released the CTET September 2026 notification. Registration is open from May 11 to June 10, 2026. The exam is scheduled for September 6, 2026, in 27 languages across 132 cities. Candidates can apply online at ctet.nic.in.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially sounded the bugle for the CTET September 2026 session. Aspiring teachers looking to secure positions in central government schools like KVS, NVS, and EMRS can now access the official notification and information bulletin on the official portal.
With significant updates to the exam medium and a strictly randomized city allotment policy, this year's Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is set to be one of the most competitive editions yet.
CTET 2026 Exam Date & Shift Timings
The CBSE will conduct the 22nd edition of the CTET on September 6, 2026. In case of a high volume of applicants, the board has reserved September 5, 2026, as an additional exam date.
The test will be held in two shifts:
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Paper II (Classes VI to VIII): 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM (Morning Shift)
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Paper I (Classes I to V): 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM (Evening Shift)
Important Note: CBSE has clarified that exam cities and dates (between Sept 5 and 6) will be allotted on a random basis. Requests for changes in the allotted city or date will not be entertained under any circumstances.
New Languages Added: CTET Now in 27 Mediums
In a move to make the exam more inclusive, CBSE has added Maithili and several other regional languages. The CTET 2026 exam will now be conducted in 27 languages, including:
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English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Assamese, Tibetan, Maniupuri, Konkani, Kashmiri, Dogri, Nepali, Maithili, Garo, Khasi, Mizo, Bodo, Santhali, and Sindhi.
CTET 2026 Important Dates
Stay ahead of the deadlines to avoid the last-minute rush on the ctet.nic.in server.
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release | May 11, 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | May 11, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | June 10, 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | June 10, 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Correction Window | June 15 to June 18, 2026 |
| CTET Admit Card 2026 | 2 Days before the exam |
| CTET 2026 Exam Date | September 6, 2026 |
Application Fee Structure
Candidates can pay the application fee via Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking.
| Category | Single Paper (I or II) | Both Papers (I & II) |
| General / OBC (NCL) | Rs 1,000 | Rs 1,200 |
| SC / ST / Diff. Abled | Rs 500 | Rs 600 |
How to Apply for CTET September 2026?
Follow these steps to ensure your application is submitted correctly:
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Visit the Official Website: Go to ctet.nic.in.
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Registration: Click on "Apply for CTET Sept 2026" and generate your registration number.
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Form Filling: Enter personal, educational, and contact details.
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Upload Documents: Upload a scanned photograph (10-100 KB) and signature (3-30 KB) in JPG format.
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Fee Payment: Pay the examination fee based on your category.
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Confirmation: Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
Qualifying Criteria and Validity
To clear the CTET 2026 exam, candidates must meet the following benchmarks:
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General Category: Minimum 60% marks (90 out of 150).
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Reserved Categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD): Minimum 55% marks (82 out of 150).
Lifetime Validity: Once qualified, the CTET certificate remains valid for a lifetime. You do not need to appear for the exam again unless you wish to improve your score.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the last date to apply for CTET September 2026?
The last date to submit the online application form is June 10, 2026, until 11:59 PM.
Q2: Can I change my allotted exam city for CTET 2026?
No. According to the official brochure, the exam city is allotted randomly, and no requests for changes will be accepted.
Q3: How many languages is CTET conducted in?
Starting from the September 2026 session, the CTET will be conducted in 27 different languages, including the newly added Maithili.
Q4: Is there any negative marking in CTET 2026?
No, there is no negative marking in either Paper I or Paper II. Each correct answer earns 1 mark.
Q5: Where can I download the CTET 2026 Information Bulletin?
You can download the detailed information bulletin from the official websites: ctet.nic.in or cbse.gov.in.