Ritu finished her D.El.Ed from a college in Jaipur this summer. Every private school she applied to asked the same question in the interview: "CTET qualified?" She has filled the CTET form and has been waiting for the dates. Now she, and lakhs of others, have a date to plan around.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that the 22nd edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) will be held on 12 and 13 December 2026. Here is what that means for you, what to expect on exam day, and how to use the next six weeks well.
CTET December 2026: key dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CTET (22nd edition) exam | 12 and 13 December 2026 |
| Exam city and date shown on CTET portal | 15 days before the exam (expected around 27 November 2026) |
| Admit card download | Two days before the exam |
| Notice issued by CBSE | 14 September 2026 |
CBSE’s public notice on the exam dates says each candidate’s exam city and exact date will be put up on the CTET portal 15 days before the exam. The admit card, with your exam centre, comes two days before. The "around 27 November" date above is our own count back from 12 December, so treat it as expected, not official.
Keep checking the CTET public notices page for updates.
What is CTET and why it matters
CTET is a teacher eligibility test run by CBSE. Schools that require CTET ask for a pass when they hire teachers for Classes I to VIII.
There are two papers:
- Paper I is for those who want to teach Classes I to V.
- Paper II is for those who want to teach Classes VI to VIII.
If you want to teach both levels, you take both papers. The CTET September 2026 information bulletin does not list the degree rules itself. It points candidates to NCTE regulations and the rules of the employing school or state.
CTET exam pattern
Both papers have 150 multiple-choice questions, carry 150 marks and last 2.5 hours. Each question carries one mark, and there is no negative marking. So never leave a question blank.
Paper I (Classes I to V)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Paper II (Classes VI to VIII)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics and Science or Social Studies/Social Science | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
In Paper II you pick either Mathematics and Science or Social Science. Language II must be different from Language I. The bulletin lists 27 language options, including Hindi, English, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and Sanskrit.
Pass marks and certificate validity
You pass CTET if you score 60% or more, which is 90 out of 150. The bulletin adds that schools may give concessions to SC, ST, OBC and differently abled candidates under their own reservation policies.
The good news: the CTET certificate is valid for life for all categories. Clear it once and you never need to sit it again for eligibility.
Exam-day rules
The September 2026 bulletin gives these timings. Your admit card for December will have the final ones, so check it carefully.
| Paper | Exam time | Reporting time | Gate closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper II (morning) | 9:30 am to 12:00 noon | 7:30 am | 9:30 am |
| Paper I (afternoon) | 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm | 12:30 pm | 2:30 pm |
Late candidates are not let in. If your centre is in another town, travel the day before.
What to carry
- Your admit card
- Your own black or blue ball point pen. CBSE does not give one, and pencils are not allowed for marking answers.
- Drinking water, if you like. No other food or drinks are allowed.
What not to carry
- Mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, earphones and health bands
- Watches, wallets, goggles and handbags
- Gold or artificial jewellery
- Calculators, scales, writing pads, erasers, whitener, pen drives, and geometry or pencil boxes
Leave anything doubtful at home. There is rarely a safe place to keep it at the centre.
Fees, for reference
For reference, here is the fee from the bulletin. GST is charged extra by the bank.
| Category | One paper | Both papers |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC (NCL) | Rs 1,000 | Rs 1,200 |
| SC / ST / Differently Abled | Rs 500 | Rs 600 |
A six-week plan till 12 December
You have about six weeks. Here is a simple way to use them.
Weeks 1 and 2: know the syllabus and your gaps
- Download the bulletin and read the syllabus for your paper.
- Take one full mock paper on day one. Do not worry about the score. It shows you where you stand.
- Child Development and Pedagogy appears in both papers. Start with it. Use your D.El.Ed or B.Ed notes.
Weeks 3 and 4: subject depth
- For Maths, EVS, Science or Social Science, focus on pedagogy questions too, not just content. CTET often asks how you would teach a concept, not only what the concept is.
- For languages, practise unseen passages and poems every day. They are scoring if you read carefully.
- Revise school-level NCERT books for your subjects. CTET content is pitched at the classes you will teach.
Weeks 5 and 6: mocks and revision
- One full mock every two days, in the same time slot as your real paper.
- Since there is no negative marking, practise marking every question, even when you have to guess.
- Keep the last two days light. Check your exam city, travel plan and admit card.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring pedagogy. Many strong subject students lose marks here.
- Missing the city slip. Check the portal from late November so you can book travel early.
- Carrying a phone "just in the bag". It is not allowed inside. Plan for someone to hold it.
- Treating the pass mark as the target. A higher score can help when schools compare candidates, so aim well above 90.
Frequently asked questions
When is CTET December 2026?
CBSE will hold the 22nd edition of CTET on 12 and 13 December 2026. Your exact date and city will be on the CTET portal 15 days before the exam.
When will the CTET admit card be released?
CBSE says the admit card will be available on the CTET portal two days before the exam.
Is there negative marking in CTET?
No. Each question carries one mark and there is no negative marking.
What are the CTET pass marks?
60% or more, which is 90 out of 150. Schools may give concessions to reserved categories under their own policies.
How long is the CTET certificate valid?
For life, for all categories.
Can I take both Paper I and Paper II?
Yes, if you want to teach both Classes I to V and Classes VI to VIII. Paper II is held in the morning and Paper I in the afternoon, as per the bulletin.