CTET September 2026 Last Date TODAY: Apply Before 11:59 PM, Exam on September 6 — All You Need to Know

The clock is ticking. If you have been delaying your CTET September 2026 application, this is your final alert — the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will shut the registration portal at ctet.nic.in at exactly 11:59 PM tonight, June 10, 2026. No extensions have been announced. Miss this deadline, and you miss the entire September session.

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026 is the 22nd edition of India's most widely attempted teacher-qualification exam — a mandatory gateway for anyone aiming to teach in KVS, NVS, Army schools, and other central government institutions for Classes 1 to 8. With the window open since May 11, 2026, candidates have had a full month to register. Tonight is the absolute last chance.

FAQ: Is the CTET 2026 application deadline really June 10? Yes. CBSE has officially confirmed that both the application form submission and the online fee payment deadline for CTET September 2026 is June 10, 2026, 11:59 PM. No extension has been announced as of publication.

CTET September 2026: Key Dates at a Glance

Direct Link to Apply for CTET September 2026

Candidates must apply only through CBSE's official portals. Use the links below:

• Official Website: ctet.nic.in
• Direct Application Link: examinationservices.nic.in — CTET 2026 Apply

FAQ: Where do I apply for CTET 2026? Apply at ctet.nic.in or the CBSE official portal. Third-party websites cannot accept your application. Do not trust unofficial links.

How to Apply for CTET 2026 Online — Step-by-Step

1. Go to the official CTET website: ctet.nic.in
2. Click on the "Apply Online" button for CTET September 2026
3. Fill in your personal and academic details carefully — errors cannot be corrected after the correction window closes
4. Upload your scanned photograph and signature in the prescribed format and size
5. Pay the application fee using a debit card, credit card, or net banking
6. Save and download the completed application form for future reference — especially for admit card and results

CBSE's Big Rule Change: No City Selection in CTET 2026

This is the most critical update that every aspirant must know. CBSE has removed the option to choose your examination city for CTET September 2026. Exam centres will be allocated by CBSE on a completely random basis.

This applies regardless of whether the exam is held on September 5 or September 6, 2026. No requests for city changes or date changes will be entertained under any circumstances. Candidates should make travel and accommodation plans only after receiving their randomly allocated centre.

 FAQ: Can I choose my CTET 2026 exam city? No. CBSE has removed the city-selection option for CTET September 2026. Examination centres will be allotted randomly. No change requests will be accepted after allotment.

CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility norms are set by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). Read them carefully — submitting an ineligible application wastes your fee.

Paper 1 — Classes 1 to 5 (Primary Level)

Candidates must fulfil any one of the following:

• Senior Secondary (Class 12) with minimum 50% marks + 2-year D.El.Ed (Diploma in Elementary Education)
• Class 12 with 50% marks + 4-year B.El.Ed (Bachelor of Elementary Education)
• Class 12 with 50% marks + 2-year D.El.Ed (Special Education)
• Graduation with B.Ed as per NCTE norms (refer to official notification for details)

Paper 2 — Classes 6 to 8 (Upper Primary Level)

Candidates must fulfil any one of the following:

• Graduation + 2-year D.El.Ed
• Class 12 with 50% marks + 4-year B.Ed
• Class 12 with 50% marks + 4-year integrated B.A./B.Sc. B.Ed
• Graduation with 50% marks + B.Ed (Special Education)

Note: Candidates appearing in the final year of qualifying teacher-training programmes are also eligible to apply.

FAQ: Can a B.Ed graduate apply for CTET Paper 1? Yes, in certain conditions. As per NCTE norms, B.Ed holders are eligible for Paper 1 provided they meet the specific conditions laid out in the official CTET 2026 notification. Always cross-check at ctet.nic.in.

CTET 2026 Application Fee

Payment modes accepted: Debit card, Credit card, Net banking — all must be completed before 11:59 PM tonight.

About CTET 2026: Why This Exam Matters

The CTET September 2026 exam will be conducted across 132 cities in 27 languages, making it one of the most expansive standardised teacher eligibility tests in India. Clearing CTET is mandatory for appointment in:

• Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS)
• Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS)
• Army Schools / Sainik Schools
• Central Tibetan Schools Administration
• Other central government-aided institutions

A CTET certificate is valid for lifetime (as per the 2021 amendment) and counts across all states accepting NCTE-mandated qualifications.

Application Correction Window: June 15–18, 2026

Made a mistake in your form? CBSE will open a short correction window from June 15 to June 18, 2026. Candidates can edit specific fields during this period. Once the window closes, no further modifications will be allowed and incorrect applications risk rejection. Candidates are strongly advised to review their submitted forms thoroughly the moment the correction window opens.

CTET 2026 Admit Card

The admit card for CTET September 2026 will be available for download approximately two days before the exam date. Candidates will need to download it from ctet.nic.in using their application number and date of birth. No hard copy will be dispatched by post.

Frequently Asked Questions — CTET September 2026

Q1. What is the CTET 2026 September exam date? The CTET September 2026 exam is scheduled for September 6, 2026 (Sunday). If registrations exceed venue capacity, the exam may also be held on September 5, 2026 (Saturday).

Q2. What is the last date to apply for CTET 2026? The last date to apply and pay fees for CTET September 2026 is June 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM. This is today — do not wait.

Q3. What is the CTET 2026 result date? CTET September 2026 results are expected by the end of October 2026, though CBSE has not announced an exact date.

Q4. How many cities will CTET 2026 be held in? CTET September 2026 will be conducted in 132 cities across India, in 27 languages.

Q5. Can I apply for both CTET Paper 1 and Paper 2? Yes. Candidates can apply for both papers in a single application. The combined fee is ₹1,200 for General/OBC-NCL and ₹600 for SC/ST/Divyang candidates.

Q6. Is CTET certificate valid for life? Yes. Since 2021, the CTET certificate has been granted lifetime validity, removing the earlier 7-year limit.

Q7. What happens if I miss the CTET 2026 application deadline? There is no provision for late submission. Missing the June 10 deadline means you cannot appear in the September 2026 session. The next CTET session would likely be in early 2027.

Q8. Will CTET 2026 be online or offline? CTET is conducted in offline pen-and-paper (OMR-based) mode.