CTET Selection Process 2026: Check Detailed Exam Procedure Here
Central Teacher Eligibility Test 2026 ( CTET )
Exam On - 8 Feb '26
CTET Selection Process 2026: The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is an eligibility exam that determines whether the candidate is eligible to apply for teacher recruitment drives for Classes 1 to 8 in Central schools such as KVS, NVS, etc. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts the CTET exam every year based on the guidelines framed by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). The CBSE follows a fixed CTET 2026 selection process every year.
The CTET exam for the 21st Edition will be conducted on February 8, 2026. The process of an exam begins with the announcement of the notification which is followed by the release of city slip and admit card. Then exam will be held and after the exam answer key releases. Finally, the exam concludes with the declaration of the result and mark sheet and certificates.
Also Read: Last 5 Years Question Papers of CTET: Download Free PDFs
- CTET Selection Process 2026
- Stages of CTET Selection Process 2026
- CTET Selection Process 2026 Highlights
- CTET Exam Pattern 2026
- CTET Selection Process 2026 FAQs
CTET Selection Process 2026
The CTET exam is qualifying in nature. Candidates are declared pass in the exam based on their CTET scores. As per CTET qualification 2026 criteria, General-category candidates must score 60 per cent or more marks in the examination to qualify for the award of the CTET eligibility certificate. On the other hand, reserved category candidates need to obtain 55 per cent or more marks in the examination.
As per the CTET selection process, qualifying the exam would not imply the recruitment of candidates in any government or private school, as it is only one of the eligible criteria for the teacher appointment process. Candidates who qualify the CTET exam can apply for recruitment in central government schools (KVS, NVS, Central Tibetan Schools, etc.) and schools under the administrative control of Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and NCT of Delhi.
Candidates can also apply for teacher recruitment in private schools accepting the CTET scores 2026.
Also Read: CTET Admit Card
Commonly asked questions
The CTET exam is conducted in two shifts for Paper 1 and Paper 2. The shift 1 is held from 9:30 am to 12 noon and Shift 2 from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Candidates get to know the allotted CTET shift timing through their admit cards.
Candidates need to solve the questions from both the languages in the Central Teacher Eligibility Test. There are a 30 multiple choice questions of 1 mark each in the language sections.
Stages of CTET Selection Process 2026
The CTET Selection Process comprises the submitting of the application form, correction in the application form, release of the admit card, then answer key, result and finally scorecard or certificate. Check the CTET selection or exam process 2026 below.
CTET form Submission
Firstly, candidates need to fill out the CTET application form . The application fee is
| Category |
Fee for One Paper (in INR) |
Fee for Two Papers (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
| General/ OBC |
1,000 |
1,200 |
| SC/ ST/ Differently Abled Person |
500 |
600 |
CTET admit card
The CBSE issues admit card to candidates who successfully submit their forms and pay the exam fee. Candidates can download the CTET admit card 2026 by using application number and password/date of birth.
CTET exam
Candidates need to appear for the CTET exam as per the details mentioned in the admit card. CTET exam is held for two papers – Papers 1 and 2. CTET Paper 1 is conducted for candidates who plan to be teachers from Classes 1 to 5. CTET Paper 2 is held for candidates who plan to be teachers from Classes 6 to 8. Candidates planning to teach Classes 1 to 8 need to give both papers.
Also Read:
CTET answer key
CBSE releases answer keys in two phases – provisional and final. CTET answer key is an important document as it gives candidates a clear idea of the score that they will secure in the exam.
CTET result
CTET result is declared at ctet.nic.in. Candidates can check their results by using their roll number for the exam. General category candidates who score 60 per cent or above marks are declared CTET qualified and reserved category candidates need to obtain 55 per cent marks.
Also Read: CTET Exam Timing 2026: Shift Timings & Reporting Time
CTET marksheet & certificate
CTET marksheet is issued to all candidates who appear for the exam. On the other hand, the CTET certificate is issued to only qualifying candidates in digital format in their DigiLocker account. Candidates can download their marksheet and eligibility certificate by logging into their DigiLocker accounts using credentials shared by CBSE on their registered mobile number. The CTET certificate is now valid for a lifetime.
Also Read: CTET Certificate & Marksheet: How to Download on DigiLocker App
Commonly asked questions
The CTET qualifying marks are different for different categories. General category candidates need to obtain a minimum of 60 per cent or above marks in the CTET 2025 exam in order to be considered as a CTET pass. The CTET passing marks for OBC/SC/ST category candidates are 55 per cent. Candidates scoring more than or equal to the qualifying marks are considered CTET qualified. Only those candidates are awarded the CTET Certificate those who secure the minimum qualifying marks. However, a higher CTET score is advantageous in the further teacher recruitment process.
There is no limit on the number of attempts in the Central Teacher Eligibility Test, as per the exam notification.
CTET Selection Process 2026 Highlights
Check out some of the major highlights of the CTET 2026 selection process below:
- Candidates are selected based on their performance in the exam.
- Candidates must score 60 per cent or more marks CTET 2026 exam.
- Candidates must also meet the CTET eligibility criteria 2026 prescribed by CBSE.
- Qualifying CTET does not guarantee jobs to candidates. They have to apply for recruitment at different schools based on the available vacancies.
- Candidates have to go through the complete recruitment process of the school in which they are applying for job after qualifying the CTET exam.
- Candidates can show the respective school their CTET certificate issued to them after qualifying the exam.
- CTET eligibility certificate is valid for lifetime from the date of declaration of result.
- Candidates who do not qualify the CTET exam can appear for it again as many times as they want.
Also Read: CTET Exam Preparation
Commonly asked questions
No, there is no upper age limit to take the CTET exam. Candidates above 18 years of age can apply for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test. CTET stands for Central Teacher Eligibility Test. It is a national-level eligibility exam conducted by the CBSE. Candidates should satisfy their eligibility before applying for the exam.
Candidates need to choose different language for CTET Language I and Language II sections. The CBSE provides a list of 20 languages from which the candidates can choose the language.
CTET Exam Pattern 2026
The CTET exam pattern consists of the format, questions, total marks, marking schemes, etc. 150 Objective Type Questions will be asked in each paper I and II. One mark is awarded for the correct answer and there is no negative marking for incorrect answers. In an exam Paper 1 has five sections whereas Paper 2 has four section. Candidates can read below in detail about the CTET exam pattern by clicking the link.
Also Read: CTET Exam Pattern
Commonly asked questions
The CTET question paper contains multiple choice questions- MCQs. There are 150 questions in the exam. The paper carries 150 marks. Candidates need to mark the answers on the OMR Sheet.
CTET Selection Process 2026 FAQs
Have a look at the CTET selection process FAQs:
Commonly asked questions
The CTET exam process contains the stages shared below-
- Release of notification
- Submission of application form
- CTET admit card
- Conduct of the exam in offline mode
- Provisional answer key
- Declaration of result
- Final answer key
- CTET certificate for qualified candidates
CTET exam is of 2 hours 30 minutes duration for each paper. The CTET exam is conducted in two shifts. The CTET Shift 1 starts from 9:30 am to 12 noon and Shift 2 is from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm.
The CTET 2026 exam time table is as follows:
Events | Paper 2 | Paper 1 |
|---|---|---|
Exam Date | 08-Feb-2026 | 08-Feb-2026 |
Reporting Time | 7:30 AM | 12:30 PM |
Checking of Admit Cards | 9:00 AM to 9:15 AM | 2:00 PM to 2:15 PM |
Checking of Computer | 9:15 AM | 2:15 PM |
Last Entry in the Examination Centre | 9:30 AM | 2:30 PM |
Test Commences | 9:30 AM | 2:30 PM |
Test Concludes | 12:00 Noon | 5:00 PM |
Candidates need to choose different language for CTET Language I and Language II sections. The CBSE provides a list of 20 languages from which the candidates can choose the language.
There is no limit on the number of attempts in the Central Teacher Eligibility Test, as per the exam notification.
Candidates need to solve the questions from both the languages in the Central Teacher Eligibility Test. There are a 30 multiple choice questions of 1 mark each in the language sections.
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These must be different cities
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