CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Marks Relaxation, Age Limit and other details

CTET eligibility criteria 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education is currently accepting online application forms for the CTET – February 2026 session. Registration for the CTET examination started from 27th November 2025. Students belonging to the general category have to pay examination fees ranging between INR 1000/- to INR 1200/-. Those belonging to SC/ST have to pay a fee ranging between INR 500/- to 600/-. To be eligible for the CTET examination 2026, applicants must be above the age of 17 years old. Individuals must be 10+2 passed, or have a bachelor’s or a diploma with a minimum 50% mark for CTET Eligibility Criteria. As per the NCTE regulation, there is 5% relaxation for the reserved category. CBSE will conduct the CTET examination on 8th February 2026. It will be MCQ-based and will not carry any negative marking. Register yourselves now on the central teacher eligibility test official website and ensure to check the latest updates. 

Latest update for CTET Exam

• Jan update: CTET Exam date for February 2026 has been officially scheduled on 08th February 2026 (Sunday) in offline (pen and paper mode). The date of the exam is announced by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

What is the CTET Exam?

CTET stands for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test. It is a national-level examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). This examination is done to check the eligibility criteria of the candidates aspiring to be teachers at the primary (from classes 1 to 5) and upper primary (classes 6 to 8) level. It is an MCQ-based examination, involving two papers. It is mandatory to ensure that teachers meet the national standards for quality education.

CTET Online Application Form Process 

CBSE CTET 2026 February will be held online only. Students must avoid submitting more than one application, as they may be liable for cancellation or being debarred from future examinations. 

• Open the CTET official website https://ctet.nic.in.
• Click on APPLY ONLINE and create login credentials. 
•  Fill up the application form.
• Note down the registration or application number. 
• Upload all the mentioned documents, photographs, and signatures after scanning them.
• Pay the CTET 2026 examination fee online.
• Submit and print the confirmation page for future reference.

CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026

CTET Eligibility Criteria are laid out by the NCTE. All the candidates must have the necessary CTET Eligibility Criteria to qualify for the final selection. Any candidate who has passed the CTET examination but does not have the required CTET Eligibility Criteria will not be eligible for final selection. Only those candidates with the following conditions are eligible for the CTET 2026 examination:

1: Candidates who are enrolled in any TEACHER TESTING COURSE ( TTC) or are undergoing a TTC are eligible for the CTET examination.

2. Candidates must have graduated with a minimum 50% mark with a 1-year BED (special education) program or a PG degree with a minimum 55% mark with a three-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed. 
3. There is no upper age limit. However, students have to be above the age of 17 years old.
4. The person must be of Indian nationality. Candidates from other nationalities must fulfill the nationality conditions laid out by the NCTE. 

Scheduled for CBSE CTET for February 2026 

CBSE will conduct the Central Teacher Eligibility Test on February 8, 2026. The MCQ-based examination will be held for a duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes. Students must submit their applications as early as possible. Furthermore, students have no provision to select their examination city as it is allotted by the CBSE on a random basis. 

CTET Eligibility Criteria: Educational Qualification 2026 

CTET February 2026 is divided into 2 parts. 

1. Paper 1 is for candidates who wish to be teachers for classes 1 to 5.
2. Paper 2 is for candidates who wish to be teachers for classes 6 to 8. 

Anyone who wishes to be a teacher for both levels has to appear for both papers. Each question will carry one mark. There will be a total of 150 MCQs carrying a total of 150 marks. The main question paper will be in English and Hindi. However, students have the option to choose any 2 given languages they wish to write their CTET examination. The mode of examination will be offline in pen and paper mode. 

CTET Eligibility Criteria for Paper 1( for classes 1-V)

Students appearing for the CTET February 2026, conducted by CBSE, will need to meet the following CTET eligibility criteria. 

• Candidates must be 10+2 passed with 50% marks with a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
• Or senior secondary with 45% mark and a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) program as per NCTE norms of 2002. 
• Senior secondary with a 50% mark and a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).
• Senior secondary with a minimum 50% mark and a 2-year diploma in a special education program. 
• Graduated or will be appearing for the final 2-year diploma in the elementary education program. 

CTET Eligibility Criteria For Paper 2 (for classes VI-VIII)

• Graduated and have qualified for a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
• Graduated with a minimum 50% mark and have a 1-year bachelor in education (B.ED).
• Graduated with a 45% mark with 1 1-year B.Ed. program as per the NCTE regulation 2002.
• Senior secondary passed with a 50% mark and have passed a 4-year B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed. 
• Senior secondary passed with 50% mark or equivalent and have a 4-year bachelor’s in elementary education (B.EL.ED). 
• Candidates who have graduated with the BED program with NCTE recognition are eligible for TET/CTET. 

CTET February 2026: Examination Fee

Students appearing for the CBSE Central Teacher Eligibility Test examination 2026 have to register and pay the examination fee. It is mandatory to pay the fee online through debit or credit card or through net banking. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1: Is there any limitation for attempting the CTET examination?

Ans: No, there is no restriction or limitation to appear for the CTET examination.

Q2: Do I have to appear for both paper 1 and paper 2 in the same cycle?

Ans: Students can appear for paper 12 or paper 2 in different cycles. 

Q3: How can I check the CTET eligibility criteria conducted by CBSE?

Ans: Go to the NCTE website, and under the ACTS and REGULATION- Minimum Qualifications of Teachers ” and “TET Guidelines” options will be available. 

Q4: If I qualify for the CTET examination, will CBSE provide me with a teaching job?

Ans: No, CBSE is just a conducting body. It does not provide or offer employment. 

Q5: How to apply for CTET exam 2026?

Ans: To submit applications for the CTET exam 2026, students need to visit the official website @ctet.nic.in.

Q6: Who is eligible for ctet exam?

Ans: CTET 2026 eligibility requires candidates to be at least 17-18 years old with no upper age limit. Minimum qualifications are 12th grade with 50% marks.