CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 is officially defined as per NCTE guidelines and is released in the Information Bulletin for CTET February 2026. Candidates must fulfill the prescribed educational qualifications for Paper 1 (Classes 1-5) or Paper 2 (Classes 6-8) to appear in the exam on 08 February 2026.
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and aims to ensure that the candidates possess the necessary qualifications to teach in schools. The application process will begin on 27 November 2025 and will close on 18 December 2025. For complete details, candidates can visit the official website at https://ctet.nic.in.
Note: All information is sourced from the official notification. Students are advised to verify all details from the official website before proceeding.
Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) February 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Exam Date | 08 February 2026 (Sunday) |
| Application Dates | 27 November 2025 to 18 December 2025 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Eligibility Criteria | As per NCTE Guidelines |
| Age Limit | No Upper Age Limit |
| Validity of Certificate | Lifetime |
| Official Website | https://ctet.nic.in |
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Educational Qualification
The minimum educational qualifications for CTET are prescribed by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). Candidates must ensure they meet the required qualifications before applying. The eligibility differs for Paper 1 and Paper 2. Relaxation of up to 5% in qualifying marks is provided to reserved category candidates. It is important to note that appearing in CTET does not guarantee eligibility for appointment; the final verification is done by the recruiting agency.
CTET Eligibility Criteria for Paper 1 (Classes 1 to 5) – Primary Stage
For teaching Classes 1 to 5, candidates must have passed or be appearing in the final year of the following qualifications:
- Senior Secondary (or equivalent) with minimum 50% marks and a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed)
- Senior Secondary with 45% marks and a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education)
- Senior Secondary with 50% marks and a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El. Ed)
- Graduation with 50% marks and a 2-year D.El.Ed
- Any other qualification prescribed by NCTE
This ensures candidates have both subject knowledge and pedagogical skills suitable for primary stage teaching.
CTET Eligibility Criteria for Paper 2 (Classes 6 to 8) – Elementary Stage
For teaching Classes 6 to 8, candidates must have passed or be appearing in the final year of:
- Graduation with 50% marks and a 2-year D.El.Ed
- Graduation with 50% marks and a 1-year B.Ed
- Graduation with 45% marks and 1-year B.Ed (Special Education)
- Senior Secondary with 50% marks and a 4-year B.El. Ed
- Senior Secondary with 50% marks and a 4-year BA/B.Sc.Ed or BA.Ed/B.Sc.Ed
- Any other NCTE-prescribed qualification
Candidates aiming to teach both levels should apply for both papers.
Age Limit for CTET 2026
There is no upper age limit for appearing in the CTET examination. Candidates only need to fulfill the minimum age criteria (if any) prescribed by the respective state governments or recruiting bodies for teacher appointments. This makes the exam accessible to fresh graduates as well as experienced candidates looking to improve their qualifications or switch to teaching careers. The absence of an upper age bar encourages lifelong learning and career opportunities in the education sector. However, candidates should check the recruitment notification of the specific school/organization they wish to join, as some may have their own age criteria.
Nationality for CTET 2026
Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test. There is no provision for candidates from other nationalities. This criterion aligns with government recruitment rules for teaching positions in central government schools (KVS, NVS, etc.) and other institutions where CTET is applicable. Candidates must provide valid proof of Indian nationality if required during document verification at the time of appointment.
CTET Eligibility Criteria for Reserved Category
Candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), and Differently Abled categories receive a 5% relaxation in the minimum qualifying marks in educational qualifications as per NCTE guidelines. For example, where general category candidates need 50% marks, reserved category candidates need only 45%. The application fee is also lower for reserved categories – ₹500 for one paper and ₹600 for both papers (plus GST). Differently abled candidates can avail scribe facilities, compensatory time of 50 minutes per paper, and large-print question papers as per the RPwD Act 2016. Proper disability certificates are required to claim these benefits.
CTET 2026 Exam Eligibility: Number of Attempts
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for CTET. Candidates can appear as many times as they want to improve their scores. The CTET qualifying certificate is now valid for a lifetime for all categories. This policy allows candidates to keep attempting until they achieve a good score and also gives them the flexibility to appear again even after qualifying once. Qualifying for the CTET is one of the essential eligibility criteria for teacher appointments, but it does not guarantee a job.
CTET Exam Pattern 2026
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Marks | 150 Marks |
| Total Questions | 150 MCQs |
| Negative Marking | No Negative Marking |
| Paper I | For Primary Teachers (Classes 1-5) |
| Paper II | For Elementary Teachers (Classes 6-8) |
| Exam Duration | 2.5 Hours |
How to Apply for CTET 2026
- Visit the official website at https://ctet.nic.in.
- Click on “Apply Online”.
- Fill the authentication form and register.
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload a scanned photograph and signature.
- Pay the examination fee online.
- Take a printout of the confirmation page.
Candidates must keep their Class 10th details ready and upload the latest photographs as per specifications.
Expert Advice (Important)
Candidates should double-check their eligibility criteria against the official notification before submitting their application to avoid any discrepancies.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online Link | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How can I apply for this course?
Ans. You can apply by visiting the official website and following the steps mentioned above.
Q2. What is the last date to apply?
Ans. The last date to apply is 18/12/2025 as per the official notification.
Q3. Is there an age limit for CTET 2026?
Ans. There is no upper age limit for appearing in the CTET examination.
Q4. How many attempts can I make for CTET?
Ans. There is no restriction on the number of attempts for CTET.
Q5. Are there any relaxations for reserved category candidates?
Ans. Yes, reserved category candidates receive a 5% relaxation in the minimum qualifying marks.
Q6. What are the educational qualifications required for Paper 2?
Ans. Candidates need a graduation degree with specified marks and qualifications as per NCTE guidelines.
Q7. Can candidates from other nationalities apply for CTET?
Ans. No, only Indian citizens are eligible to apply for the CTET.
