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CTET Paper II 2026: Latest Update

As per the Information Bulletin released by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the CTET 2026 online application process was conducted from 27 November 2025 to 18 December 2025 (11:59 PM).

The CTET 2026 examination is scheduled for 8 February 2026 (Sunday) for both Paper I and Paper II. The exam will be conducted in two shifts (Morning and Afternoon) across multiple examination centres throughout India.

For official updates, candidates should visit ctet.nic.in.


Overview

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026 is a national-level examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Candidates who qualify CTET become eligible to apply for teaching positions for Classes I to VIII in schools that accept CTET scores, including Central Government schools such as KVS and NVS.

The examination is conducted across India in 20 languages to ensure accessibility for candidates from different linguistic backgrounds.

Exam Details

Exam Name: Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET)
Conducting Authority: CBSE
Exam Level: National Level
Purpose: Eligibility for Primary and Upper Primary Teacher posts
Mode of Examination: Offline (OMR Based)
Exam Date: 8 February 2026
Official Website: ctet.nic.in


Important Dates

The CTET 2026 notification was released in October 2025. The application process was conducted online and the exam will be held on a single day in two shifts.

EventDate
Online Application Start27 November 2025
Last Date to Apply18 December 2025 (11:59 PM)
Last Date for Fee Payment18 December 2025
Examination Date8 February 2026
Result (Expected)March 2026

Salary Structure (After Selection)

CTET is only an eligibility test. Salary depends on the recruitment organization, but approximate pay levels are:

Primary Teacher (PRT – Classes 1–5)
Basic Pay: ₹35,400
In-hand Salary: ₹35,000 – ₹37,000 per month

Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT – Classes 6–8)
Basic Pay: ₹44,900
In-hand Salary: ₹43,000 – ₹46,000 per month

Post Graduate Teacher (PGT)
Basic Pay: ₹47,600
In-hand Salary: ₹48,000 – ₹50,000 per month

Allowances include DA, HRA and Transport Allowance. Actual salary varies by location and organization.


Eligibility Criteria

Nationality

Candidates must be Indian citizens.

Age Limit

Minimum Age: 17 years
Maximum Age: No upper age limit.

Educational Qualification

For Classes I–V (Primary Level)
Candidates must meet any one of the following:

  • Senior Secondary (50%) + 2-year D.El.Ed

  • Senior Secondary (45%) + D.El.Ed (as per NCTE norms)

  • Senior Secondary (50%) + 4-year B.El.Ed

  • Graduation + 2-year D.El.Ed

  • Senior Secondary (50%) + Diploma in Education

For Classes VI–VIII (Upper Primary Level)

  • Graduation + 2-year D.El.Ed
    OR

  • Graduation (50%) + B.Ed
    OR

  • Senior Secondary (50%) + 4-year B.El.Ed / B.A.Ed / B.Sc.Ed

Relaxation:
Up to 5% relaxation in qualifying marks for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates.


Validity of Certificate

  • CTET certificate validity: Lifetime

  • No limit on the number of attempts

  • Candidates can reappear to improve their score.


Exam Pattern

CTET consists of two papers:

  • Paper I: For Classes I–V

  • Paper II: For Classes VI–VIII

Each paper includes:

  • Total Questions: 150

  • Total Marks: 150

  • Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

  • Type: Objective MCQs

  • Marking Scheme: +1 for each correct answer

  • Negative Marking: No

Paper II Structure

SectionQuestionsMarks
Child Development & Pedagogy3030
Language I3030
Language II3030
Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies6060
Total150150

Both languages are compulsory and must be different.


Exam Syllabus (Paper II – Classes VI–VIII)

Child Development & Pedagogy

  • Learning theories (Piaget, Vygotsky, Kohlberg)

  • Inclusive education

  • Individual differences

  • Assessment and evaluation

  • Motivation and classroom learning

Mathematics & Science (For Science Teachers)

Mathematics: Number system, algebra, geometry, mensuration, data handling
Science: Food, materials, living world, electricity, motion, natural resources

Social Studies (For Social Science Teachers)

History: Ancient to modern India
Geography: Earth, environment, resources, agriculture
Civics: Constitution, government, democracy, social justice

Language I & II

  • Comprehension

  • Grammar and vocabulary

  • Language pedagogy

  • Teaching methods and remedial teaching


Selection Process

CTET is only a qualifying examination.

Minimum qualifying marks:

  • General/OBC: 60% (90/150)

  • SC/ST/PwD: Relaxation as per norms

After qualifying, candidates can apply for teacher recruitment conducted by organizations such as KVS, NVS, DSSSB, or state education boards.


How to Apply (Process for Reference)

Applications were submitted online through ctet.nic.in:

  1. Register as a new candidate

  2. Fill personal and educational details

  3. Upload photo and signature

  4. Pay application fee

  5. Download confirmation page

Fee Structure:

CategoryOne PaperBoth Papers
General/OBC₹1000₹1200
SC/ST/PwD₹500₹600

Admit Card

The admit card will be available on ctet.nic.in before the exam.

Steps:

  1. Visit the official website

  2. Click on “Download CTET Admit Card”

  3. Enter Application Number and Date of Birth

  4. Download and print the hall ticket

Candidates must carry:

  • Printed admit card

  • Valid photo ID


Exam Result

The CTET 2026 result is expected in March 2026.

Steps to check:

  1. Visit ctet.nic.in

  2. Click on “CTET Result 2026”

  3. Enter Roll Number

  4. Download scorecard

Qualifying candidates will receive a digital certificate via DigiLocker.


Important Links

Official Website – Click here
Official Notification – Click here

Overview

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026 is a national-level examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Candidates who secure the minimum qualifying marks in the CTET exam become CTET qualified and are eligible to apply for teaching positions for Classes I to VIII in schools that accept CTET scores, including Central Government schools such as KVS and NVS.

The CTET examination is conducted across the country in 20 different languages, ensuring accessibility for candidates from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Exam Details

Exam Name: Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET)
Conducting Authority: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Exam Level: National Level
Purpose: Eligibility for teaching positions in Primary and Upper Primary schools
Application Mode: Online
Exam Date: 08 February 2026
Official Website: ctet.nic.in


Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility requirements vary for candidates applying for Primary Level (Classes I–V) and Upper Primary Level (Classes VI–VIII).

Nationality

Candidates must be citizens of India.

Age Limit

Minimum Age: 17 years
Maximum Age: No upper age limit prescribed by CBSE.


Educational Qualification

Primary Level (Classes I–V)

Candidates must satisfy any one of the following:

  • Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in final year of 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed)

  • Senior Secondary with 45% marks and D.El.Ed as per NCTE Regulations

  • Senior Secondary with 50% marks and appearing/passed 4-year B.El.Ed

  • Senior Secondary with 50% marks and appearing/passed 2-year Diploma in Education (D.Ed)

  • Graduation with 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education


Upper Primary Level (Classes VI–VIII)

Candidates must satisfy any one of the following:

  • Graduation with 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education

  • Graduation with at least 50% marks and B.Ed

  • Graduation with 40% marks and B.Ed (as per NCTE norms)

  • Senior Secondary with 50% marks and 4-year B.El.Ed

  • Senior Secondary with 50% marks and B.A.Ed / B.Sc.Ed (4-year integrated course)

  • Graduation with 50% marks and 1-year B.Ed


Relaxation

A relaxation of up to 5% in qualifying marks is provided for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/PwD categories.


Important Notes

  • Candidates pursuing any recognized teacher education course (approved by NCTE/RCI) are eligible to apply.

  • Appearing in CTET does not guarantee appointment. Final eligibility will be verified by the recruiting authority.

  • Candidates are responsible for ensuring their eligibility before applying.


Validity of Certificate & Attempts

  • CTET certificate validity: Lifetime

  • No restriction on the number of attempts

  • Candidates may reappear to improve their score.


Exam Pattern

The CTET 2026 exam will be conducted in offline (OMR-based) mode and consists of two papers:

  • Paper I: For Classes I–V

  • Paper II: For Classes VI–VIII

Each paper includes:

  • Total Questions: 150

  • Total Marks: 150

  • Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

  • Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

  • Marking Scheme: +1 for each correct answer

  • Negative Marking: No


Paper I Structure (Classes I–V)

SectionQuestionsMarks
Child Development & Pedagogy3030
Language I3030
Language II3030
Mathematics3030
Environmental Studies3030
Total150150

Paper II Structure (Classes VI–VIII)

SectionQuestionsMarks
Child Development & Pedagogy3030
Language I3030
Language II3030
Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies6060
Total150150

Note:
Both Language I and Language II are compulsory and must be different.


Medium of Examination

The question paper will be bilingual (Hindi and English).


Exam Syllabus

The CTET syllabus is based on the NCERT curriculum.

Common Areas

  • Child Development and Pedagogy

  • Learning theories and classroom practices

  • Inclusive education

  • Assessment and evaluation

Paper I Subjects

  • Child Development & Pedagogy

  • Language I & II

  • Mathematics

  • Environmental Studies

Paper II Subjects

  • Child Development & Pedagogy

  • Language I & II

  • Mathematics & Science (for Science teachers)
    OR

  • Social Studies/Social Science (for Social Science teachers)

Questions test conceptual understanding, problem-solving ability, and pedagogical application.


Selection Process

CTET is a qualifying examination, not a direct recruitment test.

Steps in the Process

  1. Apply Online at ctet.nic.in

  2. Download Admit Card from the official website

  3. Appear for the Examination on 08 February 2026

  4. Check Result online

Qualifying Marks

General/OBC: 60% (90 out of 150)
SC/ST/PwD: Relaxation as per government norms


Certificate & Result

  • Results will be declared on ctet.nic.in

  • Qualified candidates will receive a digital certificate via DigiLocker

  • The certificate is digitally signed and valid for lifetime.


Important Instructions

  • CTET qualification does not guarantee a job.

  • Final selection depends on recruitment by schools or government bodies.

  • Providing incorrect information may lead to cancellation of candidature.

Exam Syllabus (Paper II – Classes VI to VIII)

The CTET Paper II syllabus is based on the official Information Bulletin for February 2026. This paper is conducted for candidates who want to teach Classes VI to VIII. The exam consists of 150 Multiple Choice Questions, each carrying 1 mark, and there is no negative marking.

The syllabus focuses on Child Development and Pedagogy, Language skills, and subject knowledge based on NCERT curriculum for Classes VI to VIII. The questions are designed to test conceptual understanding, teaching ability, and application of knowledge. The difficulty level may extend up to the secondary stage.


Section-wise Distribution

Child Development and Pedagogy – 30 Questions
• Child Development – 15
• Inclusive Education – 5
• Learning and Pedagogy – 10

Language I (Compulsory) – 30 Questions
• Comprehension – 15
• Pedagogy of Language – 15

Language II (Compulsory) – 30 Questions
• Comprehension – 15
• Pedagogy of Language – 15

Subject Section – 60 Questions

Candidates must choose one of the following:

Mathematics & Science
• Mathematics Content – 20
• Mathematics Pedagogy – 10
• Science Content – 20
• Science Pedagogy – 10

OR

Social Studies / Social Science
• Content (History, Geography, Civics) – 40
• Pedagogical Issues – 20


Child Development and Pedagogy

This section focuses on educational psychology for the elementary stage. Topics include:
• Concept and principles of child development
• Role of heredity and environment
• Socialization (teacher, parents, peers)
• Theories of Piaget, Kohlberg, and Vygotsky
• Child-centered education
• Multiple intelligence
• Individual differences among learners
• Assessment for learning and continuous evaluation

Inclusive education topics include:
• Teaching children from diverse backgrounds
• Supporting children with learning difficulties
• Identifying gifted and special-needs learners

Learning and Pedagogy includes:
• How children learn
• Motivation and classroom environment
• Problem-solving and critical thinking


Language I and Language II

Both language sections include:
• Reading unseen passages
• Grammar and vocabulary
• Comprehension and inference

Pedagogy topics include:
• Language learning and acquisition
• Principles of language teaching
• Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills
• Teaching language in diverse classrooms
• Use of teaching-learning materials
• Remedial teaching


Mathematics

Content topics:
• Number system, integers, fractions
• Algebra, ratio, proportion
• Geometry and mensuration
• Symmetry and constructions
• Data handling

Pedagogical topics:
• Logical thinking and problem-solving
• Role of mathematics in curriculum
• Evaluation and remedial teaching
• Teaching difficulties and classroom strategies


Science

Content topics:
• Food and nutrition
• Materials and their properties
• Living organisms
• Motion, force, electricity, and magnets
• Natural phenomena
• Natural resources

Pedagogical topics:
• Objectives of science teaching
• Observation and experimentation
• Activity-based learning
• Assessment and remedial teaching


Social Science / Social Studies

Content topics:

History
• Early civilizations
• Medieval and modern India
• Freedom movement
• India after independence

Geography
• Earth and environment
• Natural resources
• Climate and agriculture
• Human settlements

Civics
• Constitution and government
• Democracy and local governance
• Judiciary and media
• Social justice and equality

Pedagogical topics include classroom activities, critical thinking, project work, and evaluation methods.

Exam Pattern

The CTET 2026 examination is conducted by CBSE in offline (pen-and-paper) mode. It consists of two papers: Paper I for Classes I to V and Paper II for Classes VI to VIII. Each paper contains 150 multiple-choice questions carrying a total of 150 marks. The duration of each paper is 2 hours 30 minutes, and there is no negative marking.

Paper II is designed for candidates who want to teach Classes VI to VIII. It includes compulsory sections along with a subject-specific section based on the candidate’s specialization.


Paper II Structure

Total Questions: 150
Total Marks: 150
Duration: 150 minutes

Sections:

Child Development and Pedagogy (Compulsory) – 30 Questions (30 Marks)
Language I (Compulsory) – 30 Questions (30 Marks)
Language II (Compulsory) – 30 Questions (30 Marks)

Subject Section – 60 Questions (60 Marks)
Candidates must choose one of the following:

Mathematics and Science (for Mathematics/Science teachers)
OR
Social Studies / Social Science (for Social Science teachers)


Important Note

Both Language I and Language II are compulsory, and the selected languages must be different.


Nature and Standard of Questions

The Child Development and Pedagogy section focuses on educational psychology related to the elementary stage, understanding learner characteristics, classroom interaction, and teaching methods.

Language I tests proficiency in the medium of instruction chosen by the candidate.

Language II focuses on communication skills, language comprehension, and understanding of language elements.

The subject section evaluates conceptual understanding, problem-solving ability, and pedagogical application based on the NCERT syllabus for Classes VI to VIII.


Language Options

Candidates can choose from the following languages: English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Assamese, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Oriya, Nepali, Manipuri, Khasi, Mizo, Tibetan, and others as specified by CBSE.


Mode and Medium

Mode of Examination: Offline (OMR-based)
Medium of Question Paper: Bilingual (Hindi and English)


Marking Scheme

Each correct answer carries 1 mark.
There is no negative marking for incorrect or unattempted questions.
Each paper contains 150 questions for a total of 150 marks.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility requirements for CTET 2026 vary depending on whether the candidate is applying to teach Classes I–V (Primary Level) or Classes VI–VIII (Upper Primary Level). The criteria include nationality, age, educational qualifications, and certificate validity.


Nationality

Candidates must be citizens of India to be eligible for the CTET examination.


Age Limit

The minimum age required is 17 years.
There is no maximum age limit prescribed by CBSE.


Educational Qualification

For Primary Level (Classes I to V)
Candidates must meet any one of the following conditions:

  • Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed), or

  • Senior Secondary with at least 45% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education as per NCTE Regulations, 2002, or

  • Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed), or

  • Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Education (D.Ed), or

  • Graduation and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education.


For Upper Primary Level (Classes VI to VIII)
Candidates must fulfill any one of the following:

  • Graduation and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education, or

  • Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed), or

  • Graduation with at least 40% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of B.Ed as per NCTE norms, or

  • Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year B.El.Ed / B.A.Ed / B.Sc.Ed, or

  • Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in a 1-year B.Ed programme.


Relaxation

A relaxation of up to 5% in the minimum qualifying marks is provided for candidates belonging to reserved categories such as SC, ST, OBC, and differently-abled candidates.


Important Note

Candidates pursuing any teacher education course recognized by NCTE or RCI are eligible to appear for CTET.
Appearing in the CTET does not confirm eligibility for appointment. Final eligibility will be verified by the recruiting authority. Candidates must ensure they meet all eligibility conditions before applying.


Validity of Certificate and Number of Attempts

The CTET qualifying certificate is valid for 7 years from the date of result declaration.
There is no limit on the number of attempts. Candidates who have already qualified may reappear to improve their score.

Important Dates

The CTET 2026 notification was released by CBSE in October 2025. The online application process was conducted from 27 November 2025 to 18 December 2025. The CTET 2026 examination is scheduled for 8 February 2026 in two shifts for Paper I and Paper II. The result is expected to be declared in March 2026.

EventDate
Online Application Start27 November 2025
Last Date to Submit Application Form18 December 2025 (up to 11:59 PM)
Last Date for Fee Payment (Online)18 December 2025 (up to 11:59 PM)
CTET Exam Date08 February 2026
Expected ResultMarch 2026