CBSE CTET Notification 2026: Application Reopened Till 1 September, Exam Date Revised

CBSE CTET Notification 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has reopened the online application window for the 22nd edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) September 2026, giving eligible candidates who missed the earlier application opportunity another chance to apply. The reopened application window is available from 25 August to 1 September 2026, while the examination date earlier scheduled for 6 September 2026 is now subject to a revised schedule to be announced by CBSE.

The latest development is important for candidates preparing for teaching careers in Classes I to VIII. Those who successfully submitted their CTET application during the original window do not need to apply again. The fresh opportunity is intended for eligible candidates who could not complete the earlier application process. CBSE has published the reopening notice and the CTET September 2026 Information Bulletin on its official portal.

CBSE CTET Notification 2026: Overview

The CTET is conducted by CBSE to assess the eligibility of candidates seeking teaching opportunities at the primary and elementary levels. The current examination is the 22nd edition.

The official CTET website currently lists the September 2026 Information Bulletin, the September 2026 public notice and the notice regarding reopening of online applications.

CTET September 2026 Application Reopened

CBSE has reopened the application portal for the September 2026 CTET examination from 25 August 2026 to 1 September 2026.

This is particularly significant for candidates who missed the original registration period, which ran from 11 May to 10 June 2026. Candidates who had already submitted their applications successfully during the earlier window are not required to submit a second application.

CBSE’s decision follows directions concerning the opportunity for eligible teachers to obtain the prescribed Teacher Eligibility Test qualification. Candidates who are eligible and missed the earlier registration window should use the reopened period rather than waiting for another opportunity.

CTET September 2026 Exam Date: Important Update

Candidates should note an important change in the examination schedule.

The earlier CTET September 2026 schedule had listed 6 September 2026 as the examination date. However, following the reopening of the application window, CBSE has stated that the revised examination date will be announced after completion of the reopened application process.

Therefore, candidates should not treat 6 September 2026 as the confirmed current exam date. The official CTET website should be checked regularly for the revised schedule.

CTET September 2026 Important Dates

The application schedule has changed from the original notification. The latest dates are as follows.

CBSE’s official website currently identifies the correction window as closed and lists the September 2026 application reopening notice among its latest public notices.

CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates must meet the prescribed educational and professional qualifications applicable to the paper they intend to take. The eligibility requirements are based on the teacher education qualifications prescribed under the applicable NCTE framework.

Eligibility for Paper I – Classes I to V

Candidates may be eligible through one of the prescribed qualification routes, including:

• Senior Secondary or equivalent with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.).
• Senior Secondary with at least 45% marks and a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education under the applicable NCTE norms.
• Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year B.El.Ed.
• Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education).
• Graduation with the prescribed marks and a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education.
• Graduation with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in B.Ed.
• Postgraduate degree with at least 55% marks or equivalent grade and passed or appearing in the final year of a three-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed.

Candidates pursuing recognised teacher education programmes may also be eligible subject to the applicable CTET and NCTE guidelines.

Eligibility for Paper II – Classes VI to VIII

For the elementary stage, candidates may qualify through prescribed combinations such as:

• Graduation and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education.
• Graduation or postgraduate degree with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in B.Ed.
• Graduation with at least 45% marks and B.Ed. under the applicable NCTE regulations.
• Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in a 4-year B.El.Ed.
• Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in a 4-year B.A./B.Sc.Ed. or B.A.Ed./B.Sc.Ed.
• Graduation with at least 50% marks and B.Ed. in Special Education.
• Postgraduation with at least 55% marks or equivalent grade and passed or appearing in the final year of a three-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed.
• Candidates holding a recognised B.Ed. qualification may also be eligible under the applicable CTET guidelines.

Candidates should verify their exact qualification against the official Information Bulletin before applying because eligibility can depend on the specific teacher education programme and the level selected.

CTET Application Fee 2026

The examination fee depends on whether a candidate chooses one paper or both papers.

Applicable GST and other charges, wherever prescribed by the payment system, may be payable in addition to the examination fee.

CTET 2026 Exam Pattern

The CTET examination consists of two papers. Candidates can choose Paper I, Paper II or both according to the teaching level for which they seek eligibility.

Paper I – Classes I to V

Paper II – Classes VI to VIII

The papers consist of multiple-choice questions, with one mark awarded for each correct answer and no negative marking. Each paper is generally conducted for 2 hours and 30 minutes.

CTET Certificate Validity

The CTET qualifying certificate has lifetime validity. Candidates can also appear for the examination again to improve their performance, subject to the applicable rules.

The lifetime validity of the CTET qualifying certificate has been formally reflected by CBSE in its public notices.

CTET Exam Centres and Languages

CTET is conducted across examination centres in different parts of India, allowing candidates to select available examination cities while completing the application process.

The examination is conducted in multiple languages, with the question paper generally available bilingually in Hindi and English, subject to the language provisions specified in the Information Bulletin.

Candidates from Assam should carefully select their preferred examination city from the options available on the application portal. The final centre allocation will be communicated through the official examination documents.

How to Apply for CTET September 2026

Eligible candidates who have not previously submitted their application can apply online through the official CTET portal.

1. Visit the official CTET website.
2. Open the CTET September 2026 application section.
3. Complete the registration process using the required personal and contact details.
4. Enter educational qualification information carefully.
5. Select Paper I, Paper II or both papers.
6. Upload the required photograph, signature and other documents in the prescribed format.
7. Pay the applicable examination fee online.
8. Review the completed application carefully.
9. Submit the application before the 1 September 2026 deadline.
10. Download and retain the confirmation page and payment details for future reference.

Candidates who successfully submitted their forms during the original May-June application window should not submit another application merely because the portal has been reopened.

Important Instructions for Candidates

Before submitting the CTET application, candidates should keep the following points in mind:

• Check the eligibility requirements for the selected paper.
• Use an active mobile number and email address.
• Enter personal and educational details exactly as mentioned in the relevant documents.
• Upload photographs and signatures according to the prescribed specifications.
• Verify the selected paper and examination city before final submission.
• Save the application number and confirmation page.
• Do not submit a second application if the earlier CTET application was already successfully completed.
• Keep checking the official CTET portal for the revised examination date and subsequent admit-card updates.

Important Links

The official CTET portal should be treated as the primary source for the latest schedule, application status, notices and examination updates.

Important: The original 6 September 2026 examination date has been superseded by the latest scheduling update. Candidates should wait for and follow CBSE’s revised exam-date announcement rather than relying on older CTET September 2026 articles.