The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially opened the application process for the CTET February 2026, announcing the exam date, structure, and critical deadlines for the 21st edition of India’s most important teacher eligibility test. The notification, released at 12:00 AM UTC on Thursday, November 27, 2025, on ctet.nic.in, sets the exam for Sunday, February 8, 2026 — a date that will shape the career trajectories of over 2 million aspiring educators across the country. What makes this cycle different? The CTET certificate now holds lifetime validity, a game-changer for candidates who’ve spent years preparing only to see their eligibility expire after five years. This isn’t just another exam announcement — it’s a structural shift in how India recognizes teaching quality.
Exam Schedule and Structure: Two Shifts, One Goal
The CTET February 2026 will be held in offline, pen-and-paper mode across 132 cities, including new centers in Assam at Dibrugarh, Guwahati, and Silchar. The test is split into two papers, each with its own shift to manage logistics and reduce crowding. Paper II — for candidates aiming to teach Classes VI to VIII — kicks off at 9:30 AM IST, ending at 12:00 noon. Paper I — targeting primary educators for Classes I to V — follows in the evening from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM IST. Candidates can choose to appear for one or both papers, but the fee structure remains tied to that choice. The exam will be conducted in twenty languages, ensuring accessibility for aspirants from linguistic minorities, including Bodo, Dogri, and Mizo, a move that reflects India’s diversity more accurately than ever before.
Application Window and Deadlines: Don’t Miss the Cut-Off
The application window opened the moment the notification went live — November 27, 2025 — and closes sharply at 11:59 PM IST on December 18, 2025. No extensions. No grace periods. The CBSE is enforcing strict digital compliance: no offline forms, no postal submissions, and no late payments. Candidates must complete both form submission and fee payment within this 21-day window. For those who make errors — misspelled names, wrong category selection, incorrect photo uploads — there’s a one-time correction window from December 23 to December 26, 2025. After that, it’s locked. Admit cards will drop in early January 2026, roughly two days before the exam, and results are tentatively slated for March 2026. The answer key? Expected by mid-February, giving candidates a rare chance to estimate their scores before official results.
Eligibility: What You Need to Qualify
Eligibility remains the biggest hurdle for many. For Paper I, applicants must have passed Senior Secondary (12th grade) with at least 50% marks and hold a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education. For Paper II, a graduation degree with 50% or above and the same 2-year Diploma is mandatory. Those with a B.Ed. degree can apply for both papers, bypassing the diploma requirement. Age limits? None. The CBSE removed the upper age cap years ago, making this one of the few national exams where a 45-year-old homemaker returning to work has the same shot as a 21-year-old graduate. But here’s the catch: the certificate is only valid if you pass. And with lifetime validity now in place, every attempt matters more than ever.
Why This Matters: The RTE Act and the Teacher Shortage Crisis
The CTET February 2026 isn’t just about individual careers — it’s a linchpin in India’s education system. Under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, all government and government-recognized schools must employ only CTET-qualified teachers. Yet, according to the National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA), over 1.2 million teaching positions remain unfilled nationwide, with rural areas hit hardest. In states like Bihar and Jharkhand, nearly 40% of primary schools still operate with unqualified staff. The CTET is meant to fix that. But with only about 30% of candidates clearing the exam annually, the gap persists. The lifetime validity rule is CBSE’s attempt to incentivize more people to try — and keep trying — until they pass.
What’s Next? The Road to March 2026
Now that applications are live, the real work begins. Coaching centers from Patna to Pune are already preparing crash courses. Online platforms like Testbook and Jagran Josh report a 200% spike in CTET-related searches since the notification dropped. The CBSE has also upgraded its helpline: candidates can now email [email protected] with their application number for faster support. But the biggest question remains: will the increased accessibility translate into higher pass rates? Or will the exam’s difficulty — particularly in Child Development and Pedagogy — continue to weed out the majority? Only time — and March 2026 — will tell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for CTET 2026 if I haven’t completed my diploma yet?
No. You must have completed your 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) or B.Ed before submitting your application. Provisional certificates are not accepted. The CBSE verifies qualifications during document verification after results, and failure to produce originals disqualifies you.
Is the CTET certificate really valid for life now?
Yes. Since 2021, the CBSE has extended CTET validity to lifetime, replacing the previous five-year rule. This means once you pass, you never need to retake it — even if you take a break from teaching for years. However, individual state governments may still require additional certifications for state-level recruitment.
How many attempts can I make for CTET 2026?
There is no limit on the number of attempts. You can appear for CTET as many times as you want, even if you’ve passed before — though it’s unnecessary if you already hold the certificate. Many candidates retake it to improve their score for better job prospects, especially in competitive states like Delhi and Maharashtra.
What languages is CTET 2026 available in?
The exam is offered in 20 languages: Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Maithili, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. You must select your preferred language during registration — and it cannot be changed later. Centers in Assam will offer Assamese, Bengali, and English, among others.
Can I apply for both Paper I and Paper II together?
Yes, and many do. Applying for both papers costs more — typically ₹1,200 for General/OBC candidates versus ₹600 for a single paper — but it’s strategic. If you qualify for both, you become eligible for teaching positions from Classes I to VIII, doubling your job opportunities. The exam is designed so you can take both on the same day, just in different shifts.
What happens if I miss the application deadline?
You won’t be able to apply until the next cycle — CTET July 2026, which is expected to open in May 2026. There are no late fees, no exceptions, and no appeals. The CBSE strictly enforces deadlines. Missing it means delaying your teaching career by at least six months.