CTET February 2026: Information Bulletin Out, Eligibility, Exam Date, Apply Online
CTET: Central Teacher Eligibility Test February 2026 Information Bulletin Out, Check Eligibility and Other Details
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the Information Bulletin for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) February 2026 session. Aspirants who wish to become teachers in central government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalaya (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya (NVS), or schools following CBSE curriculum must qualify CTET as a mandatory eligibility requirement. With the release of the notification, the application process, important dates, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus highlights, and other essential instructions have been clearly outlined for candidates.
The CTET February 2026 examination will be conducted on 8 February 2026 (Sunday) across multiple examination centers in India. The application process has started online through the official website, ctet.nic.in, and candidates must complete their registration before the last date. As competition continues to rise every year, candidates are advised to go through the official bulletin carefully to understand all requirements and prepare accordingly.
Application Dates and Important Schedule
The application window for CTET February 2026 opened on 27 November 2025. The last date to submit the online application form is 18 December 2025, and the last date for fee payment is also the same. CBSE will not accept any applications after the deadline, and candidates must ensure the accuracy of all details before submitting the form.
After the application process closes, CBSE will release the correction window for editing certain fields in the application form. The admit card will be issued approximately two weeks before the exam date. Candidates must download the admit card online as no physical hall tickets will be sent by post.
Eligibility Criteria for CTET February 2026
The eligibility criteria for CTET include educational qualifications prescribed by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). The eligibility differs for Paper I (Class I to V) and Paper II (Class VI to VIII).
Eligibility for Paper I (Primary Stage: Class I–V)
Candidates who wish to teach from Class I to V must fulfill any one of the following:
Senior Secondary (Class 12) with at least 50% marks, along with a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.).
Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education).
Graduation with a 2-year D.El.Ed program.
These options ensure that candidates from both higher secondary and graduates can apply as long as they hold a recognized professional teacher training qualification.
Eligibility for Paper II (Elementary Stage: Class VI–VIII)
For teaching Classes VI to VIII, candidates must meet any one of the following:
Graduation with a 2-year D.El.Ed.
Graduation with at least 50% marks and 1-year B.Ed.
Graduation with 45% marks and 1-year B.Ed as per NCTE norms.
Senior Secondary with 50% marks and a 4-year B.El.Ed degree.
Senior Secondary with 50% marks and 4-year B.A./B.Sc.Ed or B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed.
Graduation with 50% marks and 1-year B.Ed (Special Education).
These qualifications ensure systematic teacher preparation for upper primary levels.
Age Limit
There is no upper age limit for appearing in CTET. However, candidates must be at least 17 years old to apply.
Exam Pattern: Paper I and Paper II
CTET consists of two papers, and both are conducted separately in an offline, OMR-based format.
Paper I Structure (Primary Stage)
Child Development and Pedagogy – 30 marks
Language I – 30 marks
Language II – 30 marks
Mathematics – 30 marks
Environmental Studies – 30 marks
Total Marks: 150
Paper II Structure (Elementary Stage)
Child Development and Pedagogy – 30 marks
Language I – 30 marks
Language II – 30 marks
Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies – 60 marks
Total Marks: 150
Each question carries one mark, and there is no negative marking in the exam.
Application Process for CTET February 2026
Candidates must apply online through the official CTET website. The steps are:
1. Visit ctet.nic.in and click on “Apply for CTET February 2026”.
2. Complete the New Registration process and generate login details.
3. Fill out the online form with accurate personal and academic details.
4. Upload scanned photograph and signature as per the prescribed format.
5. Pay the application fee through online payment modes.
6. Submit the form and download the confirmation page for future use.
Candidates are advised to use a valid mobile number and email address to receive updates from CBSE during the entire CTET process.
Application Fee (Expected Structure)
General/OBC (Single Paper): Around ₹1000
General/OBC (Both Papers): Around ₹1200
SC/ST/PwD (Single Paper): Around ₹500
SC/ST/PwD (Both Papers): Around ₹600
The exact fee is mentioned in the official bulletin, and candidates must check the updated rates before applying.
Why CTET Is Important?
CTET certification is now mandatory for applying to teaching posts in:
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS)
Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS)
Central schools
Schools under Union Territories
Many private schools affiliated with CBSE
The CTET certificate is valid for a lifetime, giving candidates flexibility to apply for teaching jobs anytime.
Conclusion :
With the release of the CTET February 2026 Information Bulletin, the application process has officially started. Aspirants planning to build a career in the teaching profession should not miss this opportunity to appear in one of the most important eligibility tests for teachers in India. Before applying, candidates must check the eligibility criteria carefully, understand the exam pattern, and complete the application process before the deadline. Early preparation and understanding of the syllabus will greatly help in scoring high marks in CTET and securing eligibility for future teaching positions.
