CTET 2026 — Exam Date (September 6), Eligibility, Syllabus & Complete Guide

CTET 2026 exam date is September 6, 2026 — a major opportunity for aspiring teachers across India. The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is conducted by CBSE and is mandatory for teaching in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and many state government schools. The CTET 2026 notification was released on May 11, 2026. This complete guide covers Paper 1 and Paper 2 eligibility, the full syllabus, exam pattern, and preparation tips.

CTET 2026 — Key Details at a Glance

Detail	Information
Conducting Body	CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education)
Notification Date	11 May 2026
Application Dates	Until 10 June 2026
Exam Date	6 September 2026
Paper II Timing	9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon
Paper I Timing	2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Mode	Offline (OMR-based)
Official Website	ctet.nic.in

Who Should Appear for CTET 2026?

CTET certification is required for teaching in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs), and most state government school posts. The CTET certificate has been valid for a lifetime since 2021, so candidates who have not yet cleared it should appear in September 2026.

CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Paper 1 — Classes 1 to 5 (Primary Level)

• Senior Secondary (50% marks) + 2-year D.El.Ed; OR
• Graduation (50%) + 2-year D.El.Ed; OR
• Senior Secondary (50%) + 4-year B.El.Ed

Paper 2 — Classes 6 to 8 (Upper Primary Level)

• Graduation (50%) + 2-year B.Ed; OR
• Senior Secondary (50%) + 4-year B.El.Ed; OR
• Graduation + 1-year B.Ed (Special Education)

Age Limit: No minimum or maximum age limit for CTET 2026.

CTET 2026 Exam Pattern

Paper 1 (Primary: Classes 1–5)

Subject	Questions	Marks
Child Development & Pedagogy	30	30
Language I (Compulsory)	30	30
Language II (Compulsory)	30	30
Mathematics	30	30
Environmental Studies	30	30
Total	150	150

Paper 2 (Upper Primary: Classes 6–8)

Subject	Questions	Marks
Child Development & Pedagogy	30	30
Language I (Compulsory)	30	30
Language II (Compulsory)	30	30
Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies	60	60
Total	150	150

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes per paper | Negative Marking: None
Qualifying Marks: 60% (90/150) for General; 55% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD

CTET 2026 Syllabus — Complete Breakdown

Child Development & Pedagogy (Both Papers)

• Child development concepts, individual differences, inclusive education
• Learning and pedagogy, motivation and learning
• Socialization; role of gender, language, and culture in development
• Assessment: formative and summative evaluation

Language I and II

• Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary
• Pedagogy of language development; communicative approach

Mathematics (Paper 1 — Primary)

• Geometry, shapes and spatial understanding
• Numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
• Measurement, weight, time, volume, data handling, patterns
• Pedagogical issues in teaching Mathematics

Environmental Studies (Paper 1)

• Family and friends, food, shelter, water, travel
• Things we make and do; EVS pedagogy

Mathematics & Science (Paper 2 — Science stream)

• Numbers, algebra, geometry, mensuration, data handling
• Food, materials, world of living, natural phenomena, natural resources

Social Studies (Paper 2 — Social Studies stream)

• History: Pre-800 CE to modern India and the independence movement
• Geography: Physical geography, resources, economic geography
• Social and Political Life: Government, citizenship, democracy

CTET 2026 Preparation Strategy

Child Development and Pedagogy: Focus on Piaget, Vygotsky, Kohlberg, and Bloom's Taxonomy — these appear every year. Read NCERT textbooks for the relevant class level.

Language Papers: Practice reading comprehension passages (2 minutes per passage). Focus on the communicative approach to language teaching in the pedagogy section.

Mathematics/Science/Social Studies: Practice NCERT content from the relevant class levels. For Math, practice number operations, fractions, and basic geometry.

Mock Tests: Attempt at least 10 full-length CTET mock tests before September 6. With 150 questions in 150 minutes, time management is critical.

Use FreePrep.in free CTET mock tests and subject-wise topic quizzes in bilingual (English + Hindi) format.

CTET 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CTET 2026 exam date?
The CTET 2026 exam is on 6 September 2026. Paper II is in the morning (9:30 AM–12:00 Noon) and Paper I in the afternoon (2:00 PM–4:30 PM).

Is there any age limit for CTET 2026?
No — CTET has no minimum or maximum age limit.

How long is the CTET certificate valid?
Since 2021, the CTET certificate is valid for a lifetime.

Is there negative marking in CTET 2026?
No, there is no negative marking in CTET.

What is the qualifying score for CTET 2026?
General candidates need at least 60% (90/150). SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates need 55% (82.5/150).

Can I appear in both Paper 1 and Paper 2 together?
Yes, candidates can appear for both papers in a single exam cycle.