CTET February 2026 Application Form Open At Ctet.Nic.In: Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Important Dates

Introduction 

The CTET February 2026 Application Form is now officially open at ctet.nic.in, marking an important milestone for teaching aspirants preparing to qualify as primary and upper-primary teachers in India. With the release of the CTET Notification 2025-26, candidates can now access all essential details, including the application process, exam pattern, eligibility criteria and important dates, to begin their preparation with the best study material.

This blog provides a complete and clear overview of the registration process, exam structure and preparation essentials to help you navigate CTET 2026 with confidence.

What Is CTET?

·        The Central Teacher Eligibility Test is a national-level qualifying examination conducted by CBSE to assess the eligibility of candidates who wish to become teachers for classes I to VIII in central government and many government-aided or private schools across India. 

·        CTET is often regarded as a foundational credential for teaching aspirants, especially for schools under central control or other institutions that consider CTET certification as mandatory or desirable at the time of recruitment.

·        Candidates who clear CTET acquire the basic eligibility required to apply for teaching posts (for primary and upper-primary levels). Passing CTET does not guarantee a job, but it is an essential credential for many teaching vacancies across India.

CTET Notification 2025-26 Overview

·        For the February 2026 session, CBSE has officially released the CTET notification. The online registration window opened on 27 November 2025. As per the notification, the application form is available on the official CTET website, and all aspirants who meet the eligibility criteria can apply online.

·        The examination is scheduled to be conducted on 08 February 2026 (Sunday). In short, the CTET Notification 2025-26 brings all core details - application window, exam dates, eligibility norms and syllabus outline for aspirants planning to appear in CTET 2026.

CTET February 2026: How To Fill The Form?

Filling the CTET 2026 application form is fully online via the official website. Below is the step-by-step process:

Visit the official CTET website: ctet.nic.in.

·        Click on the link “Apply for CTET February 2026”.

·        Register (if new) - provide basic information such as name, email ID, mobile number, etc.

·        Fill in the application form: education details, address, choice of Paper (Paper 1 or Paper 2 or both), exam centre preferences, etc.

·        Upload scanned photograph and signature in the format specified.

·        Upload required documents: identity proof, category/PwD certificate (if applicable), educational credentials as per eligibility criteria.

·        Pay the application fee online (as per fee structure mentioned).

·        Submit the form and download the confirmation / acknowledgement for future reference.

The application window opens from 27 November 2025 and closes on 18 December 2025 (11:59 PM).

CTET Exam Date 2026, Exam Pattern & CTET Syllabus 2026

Exam Date And Papers

The CTET exam for February 2026 will be held on 08 February 2026.

There are two papers:

·        Paper I - for candidates who wish to teach Classes I to V (Primary level).

·        Paper II - for candidates who wish to teach Classes VI to VIII (Upper Primary level / Elementary).

Exam Pattern

As per the latest structure: each paper will consist of 150 MCQs. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.

For Paper I, the syllabus is divided into five sections:

·        Child Development & Pedagogy

·        Language I

·        Language II

·        Mathematics

·        Environmental Studies

For Paper II, the sections include:

·        Child Development & Pedagogy

·        Language I

·        Language II

·        Mathematics & Science or Social Studies / Social Science — depending on the candidate’s choice (whether they opt for teaching Mathematics/Science or Social Science in upper-primary classes).

Thus, to prepare effectively for CTET, candidates must be familiar with the subject-wise syllabus layout and plan studies accordingly.

CTET Exam Date 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before filling the application form for CTET 2026, it is essential to ensure that you satisfy the eligibility criteria laid down by CBSE / relevant bodies.

Age Limit

·        Minimum age required: 17 or 18 years (depending on Notification) - typical minimum is 17 / 18 years.

·        There is no maximum age limit for CTET — i.e., candidates of any age can apply.

·        There is no restriction on number of attempts — aspirants can attempt the exam as many times as they wish.

Educational Qualifications

Depending on whether you are applying for Paper I or Paper II:

·        Paper I (Classes 1–5, Primary level) - Typical required qualification: Senior Secondary (12th or equivalent) with at least 50% marks + 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (or equivalent). Alternative acceptable qualifications may include: 4-year B.El.Ed, or other teacher-education combinations as prescribed.

·        Paper II (Classes 6–8, Upper Primary/Elementary level) - Candidates generally need a Graduation in any discipline + B.Ed (or equivalent recognized teacher-education degree). Other valid combinations (as per NCTE / CBSE norms) may apply.

Conclusion

The opening of the CTET February 2026 online application form has officially set the preparation cycle in motion. With the exam scheduled for 8 February 2026, now is the right time to organise your study plan, understand the syllabus, and revise the exam pattern thoroughly. A well-planned strategy, paired with the right study material, can significantly boost your chances of qualifying.

For effective preparation, candidates should rely on the best books for the CTET exam, including Arihant’s comprehensive guides, previous years’ solved papers and dedicated practice sets that cover both Paper 1 and Paper 2. High-quality CTET exam preparation books not only strengthen conceptual understanding but also help you master pedagogy and practice exam-style questions.

Stay consistent, follow the updated syllabus, revise regularly, and prepare smartly with trusted resources.  

FAQs

Q1. What Is The Last Date To Apply For The Ctet February 2026 Online Form?

The last date to submit the CTET February 2026 application form is 18 December 2025 (along with fee payment).

Q2. What Documents Are Required For The Ctet 2026 Registration Process?

Candidates need to upload a scanned photograph and signature, identity proof (Aadhaar / PAN / other valid ID), educational qualification certificates / mark-sheets, category certificate or PwD certificate if applicable.

Q3. Is There Any Age Limit Or Attempt Limit For Ctet 2026?

There is no upper age limit for CTET 2026, aspirants of any age can apply as long as they meet the educational eligibility. There is also no limit on the number of attempts — candidates can appear as many times as they wish.

Q4. Which Book Is Best For Ctet 2026 Preparation For Both Papers?

Arihant’s CTET Study Guide, Solved Papers and Practice Sets are one of the best books for CTET 2026 preparation. They offer complete syllabus coverage, follow the exact latest exam pattern, and provide chapterwise theory, previous years’ papers and exam-oriented practice for both Paper 1 and Paper 2.