Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is conducted by Central Board of Secondary School Education. The test is to determine whether a candidate is eligible for a position as a teacher in Classes I–VIII either in KVS, NVS, Army Public Schools, State Government Schools, DSSSB schools (Delhi), Municipal schools or any private school which is affiliated by CBSE. Complete details about CTET 2026 such as exam date, eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, marking scheme, and direct application link are given in this article.
CTET Notification 2026 Overview
CTET Notification 2026 Updates
-> CBSE CTET September Notification 2026 has been released on 11th May 2026.
->The Application Window to apply online is open from 11th May to 10th June 2026.
-> The CTET Exam Date 2026 is 6th September.
-> Check the CTET Syllabus to know the important topics and CTET Exam Pattern 2026.
-> Check CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 before applying.
-> CTET is a national-level exam conducted by the CBSE to determine the eligibility of prospective teachers.
-> Prepare for the exam with CTET Previous Year Papers and CTET Mock Test 2026 for Papers I &II.
-> Enroll in CTET Coaching 2026 by Testbook Super Pass Live for structured preparation.
CTET September 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) for the September 2026 Session for Paper 1 and Paper 2 on its official website, i.e. ctet.nic.in. The notification has been released on 11th May 2026. The Application Window to apply online is open from 11th May to 10th June 2026. Paper 1 will be conducted for the teachers who want to teach Classes 1st to 5th, and Paper 2 will be conducted for the teachers who want to teach classes 6th to 8th. CTET 2026 Exam Date is 6th September 2026.
CTET September Notification 2026
The CTET full form is the Central Teacher Eligibility Test, conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) twice a year to assess teaching eligibility for Classes 1 to 8. CTET Notification 2026 has been released in the PDF format on the official website. It consists of details related to the exam date, application process, syllabus, eligibility criteria, and the detailed exam schedule. Meanwhile, candidates can refer to the CTET September 2026 Notification for details.
What is the CTET Exam?
CTET is a national-level eligibility test held to ensure that only qualified and competent individuals with excellent teaching skills and knowledge are appointed at various central government and affiliated schools across India. The CBSE conducts the exam in two different cycles: cycle 1 and cycle 2. The exam will be conducted in pen-and-paper mode and will have two different papers: Paper I for Classes 1–5, and Paper II for Classes 6–8. Candidates with a Diploma or a Degree in Education can apply. It features MCQ-type questions, and there’s no negative marking.
CTET September 2026 Exam: Highlights
The CTET Exam evaluates candidates’ eligibility for teaching positions in primary and upper primary schools. The exam consists of two papers covering child pedagogy, language, and subject-specific knowledge. Clearing the CTET opens doors to government teaching jobs and boosts career prospects in education nationwide.
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CTET 2026 Exam Highlight |
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Name of the Examination |
CTET September 2026 exam |
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CTET Full Form |
Central Teacher Eligibility Test |
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Conducting Body |
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
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Level of Examination |
National Level |
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Frequency of exam |
Twice a year |
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Purpose of Exam |
To determine whether the candidates are eligible to apply for Classes 1 to 8 teacher recruitment |
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CBSE CTET Notification 2026 Date |
11th May 2026 |
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CBSE CTET September Exam Date 2026 |
6th September 2026 |
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Official website |
www.ctet.nic.in |
CTET Test Series
CBSE CTET September 2026 Notification Important Dates
CTET 2026 Exam Date has been released along with the official notification. Candidates can check the other important details below:
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CTET Exam Date 2026 |
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CBSE CTET Notification 2026 Date |
11th May 2026 |
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CTET September 2026 Application Form Release Date |
11th May 2026 |
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Last date for CTET September Application Form |
10th June 2026 |
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CTET Application Form Correction Window Dates |
15th to 18th June 2026 |
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CTET September Admit Card 2026 Date |
Two Days Before the Exam |
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CTET September Exam Date 2026 |
6th September 2026 |
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CTET September 2026 Answer Key Date |
To be announced |
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CTET September 2026 Result Date |
Last week of October 2026 |
Prepare with the best CTET Online Coaching Now!
CTET Latest Quizzes
Confident about all the subjects and topics for CTET? Take a short quiz and quickly get an idea about where you stand. Attempt now!
CTET September 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before moving to any step, candidates are advised to make sure they carefully go through the detailed CTET Eligibility Criteria, exam pattern, and syllabus. Knowing all these details beforehand will help them get a better idea of whether they are eligible or not for the exam. Candidates aspiring to take the upcoming CTET September 2026 are required to meet specific educational qualifications.
- For Paper I (Classes I–V), candidates should have passed 12th with at least 50% marks and completed or be pursuing a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education.
- For Paper II (Classes VI–VIII), graduation with 50% marks and a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) is required.
- Equivalent qualifications and integrated teacher education programs are also accepted.
Candidates must note that there is no age limit for applying. Both papers can be attempted by those meeting the criteria, opening doors to teaching opportunities in central government schools.
CTET 2026 Most Important Pedagogy PYQs - Download PDF
CBSE CTET 2026 Nationality
To participate in the Central Teacher Eligibility Test process, candidates must note that they are required to hold Indian citizenship. It is a mandatory eligibility requirement set by the exam authorities. Without being a citizen of India, candidates are not eligible to apply for or take the CTET 2026.
CTET Exam 2026 Age Limit
- Minimum Age Limit: 18 Years
- Maximum Age Limit: No age Limit
CBSE CTET Paper I and Paper II Eligibility Criteria 2026
Below, we have provided the detailed eligibility criteria for both Paper I and Paper II:
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CTET Paper I and Paper II Eligibility Criteria |
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Paper I Eligibility Criteria |
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Senior Secondary or its equivalent exam with a minimum of 50 per cent marks and cleared or appearing in the final year exam of Diploma in Elementary Education (2 years duration). |
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Senior Secondary or its equivalent exam, securing a minimum of 45 per cent marks and clearing or appearing in the final year exam of Diploma in Elementary Education (2 years duration). |
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Senior Secondary or its equivalent exam with a minimum of 50 per cent marks and cleared or appearing in the final year exam of Bachelor of Elementary Education (4 years duration). |
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Senior Secondary or its equivalent test with a minimum of 50 per cent marks and cleared or appearing in the final year exam of Diploma in Education (2 years duration). |
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Bachelor’s degree with a BEd. |
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Paper II Eligibility Criteria |
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Graduation degree and has passed or is appearing in the final year examination of Diploma in Elementary Education (2 years duration). |
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Graduation degree with 50 per cent marks and has cleared or appeared in the final year exam of BEd. |
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Graduation degree with 40 per cent marks and has cleared or is appearing in the final year exam of BEd, according to NCTE regulations. |
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Senior Secondary or its equivalent test with a minimum of 50 per cent marks, and has cleared or is appearing in the final year exam of 4 years duration Bachelor of Elementary Education. |
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Senior Secondary or its equivalent exam with 50 per cent marks and cleared or appearing in the final year exam of B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed or B.A/B.Sc.Ed. |
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Graduation degree with 50 per cent marks and has cleared or is appearing in the BEd program of 1-year duration. |
How To Fill Out CTET 2026 Application Form ( Step By Step Process)?
Candidates can check the step=by-step process to fill the application form on the website of CBSE CTET below:
Step 1: Visit the CTET Official Website
Go to the official website of CTET, i.e. ctet.nic.in. Candidates can click on the registration link and start filling out the application form.
Step 2: New Registration
All applicants should take note of all the instructions available on the official website and then proceed by clicking on the “New Registration” tab for the CBSE CTET 2026 registration process. As a measure to avoid any problems in the future, they should enter all their relevant information, including name, date of birth, email address, and mobile number. All candidates must create a strong password for future logins. The registration number that is created should be noted for future use.
Step 3: Fill Registration Form
After completing the registration process, candidates need to log in using their registration number and password. They must provide thorough information about their educational history, contact data, and preferred testing location. Depending on their eligibility, candidates can then choose whether to appear for Paper I, Paper II, or both.
Step 4: Document Upload
Applicants need to upload scanned copies of their latest photograph and signature in the designated dimension range in JPG or JPEG format. The images should be clear and comply with the necessary criteria to prevent rejection at the time of registration verification.
Step 5: Registration Fee Payment
Registration fees must be paid online through credit/debit card/net banking/online transfer via UPI. Candidates should be aware of the exact registration fee to be paid, as it varies with respect to the category of the candidate and selected papers.
Step 6: Registration Submission and Print Confirmation Page
Applicants need to ensure that all information provided on the registration form is accurate. On successful submission, candidates will be able to download the confirmation page of the same.
CTET Application Fees
Candidates are required to pay a fixed amount of the application fee to complete the registration process for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET 2026).
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CTET 2026 Application Fee |
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Category |
Only Paper I or II |
Both Paper I & II |
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General/OBC |
Rs.1000/- |
Rs.1200/- |
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SC/ST/Diff. Abled Person |
Rs.500/- |
Rs.600/- |
CTET Full Form
The CTET exam stands for Central Teacher Eligibility Test. For the academic year 2026, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will conduct the exam on 08 September 2026. The CTET 2026 Exam is held as per the guidelines framed by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) in offline pen and paper mode. Candidates are advised to keep a track of this page to check all the latest updates regarding CBSE CTET Notification 2026. Stay tuned for the CTET 2026 Notification for updates on the CTET Application Form 2026, syllabus, eligibility, and important exam dates. Visit ctet.nic.in or Testbook’s CTET page for official updates.
CTET September 2026 Syllabus
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the detailed syllabus for the upcoming Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026. The syllabus has been released in the form of an online PDF at the official website www.ctet.nic.in. Candidates must note that this updated CTET syllabus is based on the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005 and the Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009. The CTET Exam is mainly conducted in two different papers
- Paper I – Primary Level (Class 1 to 5)
- Paper II – Upper Primary Level (Class 6 to 8)
CTET Paper I Syllabus 2026
The subject-wise CTET September Syllabus for paper 1 has been discussed in the table shared below. The syllabus below also consists of the names of the topics included. Go through it completely and start preparing for the examination.
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CTET Paper I Syllabus |
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Subjects |
Topics |
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Child Development and Pedagogy |
Child Development, Learning and Pedagogy |
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Language-I |
Comprehension, Pedagogy of Language Development |
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Language-II |
Comprehension, Pedagogy of Language Development |
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Mathematics |
Geometry, Shapes & Spatial Understanding, Solids around Us, Numbers, Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication, Division |
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Environmental Studies |
Family and Friends, Food, Shelter, Water, Travel |
CTET Paper II Syllabus 2026
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CTET Paper II Syllabus 2026 |
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Subjects |
Topics |
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Child Development and Pedagogy |
Child Development, Learning and Pedagogy |
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Language-I |
Comprehension, Pedagogy of Language Development |
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Language-II |
Comprehension, Pedagogy of Language Development |
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Mathematics |
Number System, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration |
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Science |
Food, Materials, Natural Phenomena, Natural Resources |
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Social Studies/Social Sciences |
History, Geography, Social and Political Life, Pedagogical Issues |
CTET September 2026 Exam Pattern
All the candidates willing to take the upcoming CTET 2026 September exam can check the detailed exam pattern below and start their exam preparation.
- The CTET September 2026 exam will be held in two papers:
Paper I – For those who want to teach Classes 1 to 5
Paper II – For those who aim to teach Classes 6 to 8
- You can choose to appear for either one or both papers based on your preference.
- Each paper will have Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) – 4 options per question, only one correct. No negative marking.
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CTET September 2026 Exam Pattern |
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Exam Name |
Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET 2025-26) |
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Exam Level |
National level |
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Exam Frequency |
Twice a year |
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Exam Mode |
Offline (OMR Based) |
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Exam Duration |
150 minutes |
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Language of Paper |
English and Hindi |
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No. of Test Cities |
136 cities across India |
What Each Section Covers (Paper I)
- Child Development & Pedagogy
- Focuses on teaching and learning psychology for children aged 6–11 years
- Covers child needs, inclusive education, and the qualities of a good teacher
- Language I
- Tests your proficiency in the language of instruction (the main teaching language you choose)
- Language II
- Should be different from Language I
- Focuses on language comprehension, communication, and grammar
- Mathematics & Environmental Studies (EVS)
- Questions will check your subject knowledge, basic problem-solving, and how to teach these subjects effectively
- Based mostly on the NCERT Class 1–5 syllabus, but the difficulty level may go up to the Secondary stage
Additional Tips to Prepare for CTET Smartly!
Now that you have understood all about the CTET exam and might have decided to apply, the next phase is the preparation phase.
- Understand the syllabus deeply: Focus on each section so you don’t miss important topics.
- Solve previous year papers: This helps you understand question trends and difficulty level.
- Attempt regular mock tests: Improve speed, accuracy, and time management.
- Make short notes: Useful for quick revision before the exam.
- Focus on pedagogy: A major scoring area in both papers.
- Revise regularly: Keep revisiting important concepts to avoid forgetting them.
CTET September 2026 Test Series
The CTET Test Series is considered a crucial resource for all aspiring teachers preparing for the upcoming Central Teacher Eligibility Test. It helps students to know whether they are ready for the exam or not, identify weak areas, and also improve accuracy and time management. It also helps in understanding the latest exam pattern and question trends.
With regular practice of CTET Mock Test 2026, candidates can gain confidence and experience a real exam environment. Candidates can access the test series anytime, anywhere, through a mobile or a laptop, making preparation flexible and convenient. For effective and smart preparation, the CTET Test Series is a must-have tool for every aspirant. Candidates can practice the test series before the CBSE CTET Notification 2026.
CTET Question Papers
As the candidates willing to take the CBSE CTET 2026 exam must have started their exam preparation, now’s the right time to start practising the Central Teaching Eligibility Test (CTET) Previous Year Question Papers. These papers not just help them understand the exam pattern, but also make them understand which area they are required to focus on, important topics, chapters with high weightage and many more.
CTET September 2026 Hall Ticket
The hall tickets for the Central Teaching Eligibility Test (CTET 2026) will be released 2 days before the exam. CTET hall tickets include all the important details that the candidates need to know before the exam, such as the details about the exam centre, the candidate’s name and photograph, the day, date, and time of examination, and many more.
CTET Answer Key 2026
The CTET 2026 answer key, along with the response sheet will be released after a few days of the exam on ctet.nic.in. Using both the answer and response sheet, candidates can get an idea of their performance in the exam much before the announcement of the results. Once the CTET response sheet was officially released, candidates were required to visit the CBSE's official website and log in using their respective login credentials to check and download it.
CTET Result 2026
The Central Board of Secondary Education will release the CTET Result in a month after the exam on the official website. Candidates who appeared in the exam can check the results from the login window. The result will be released in the form of a scorecard comprising important information regarding the exam performance. The results consist of the candidate’s name, guardian's name, marks obtained per subject, total marks, and others. Candidates must keep their CTET login credentials carefully, as they will be required at the time of checking the results. The result is released based on the final answer key.
CTET September 2026 Cut Off
The announcement of the CTET Cut Off is the next step after the declaration of results. It consists of the minimum marks required to qualify for the Central Teaching Eligibility Test (CTET 2026). Until the official cutoff is released, candidates can check the expected cutoff list below to get an idea of how they should prepare. Candidates must note that the expected marks mentioned below are based on past trends and expert analysis.
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CTET 2026 Cut-Off Marks |
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Category |
Maximum Marks |
Minimum Marks |
Minimum Qualifying Percentage |
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General |
150 |
90 |
60% |
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OBC/SC/ST |
150 |
82 |
55% |
CTET Exam Statistics: Number of Applicants & Qualified Candidates
All the candidates interested in appearing for the exam can check the past year's statistics in the table below. The table consists of the number of candidates who applied, the number of candidates who appeared, and lastly the total number of qualified candidates.
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CTET Exam Statistics: Past Year Data |
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Year |
No. of Candidates Applied |
No. of candidates appeared |
No. of Qualified Candidates |
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February 2026 |
Paper 1:1211611 Paper 2: 2156459 |
Paper 1: 1065410 Paper 2: 1867428 |
Paper 1: 358937 Paper 2: 346738 |
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December 2022 |
"Paper I: 17,04,282 Paper II: 15,39,464" |
"Paper I: 14,22,959 Paper II: 12,76,071" |
"Paper I: 5,79,844 Paper II: 3,76,025" |
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2020 |
3058974 |
NA |
654299 |
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December 2019 |
28,32,120 |
24,05,145 |
5,42,285 |
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July 2019 |
29,22,227 |
24,05,145 |
5,42,285 |
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December 2018 |
19,51,970 |
NA |
NA |
CTET Certification Details 2026
All the candidates who will successfully clear the CTET Exam will be provided with a certificate. This CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) certificate is mainly valid for various teaching positions in schools that are run by the Central Government and Union Territories, such as KVS, NVS, and Central Tibetan Schools. Additionally, it may be considered by unaided private schools and state government schools, depending on the policies of individual state governments.
For Private Schools:
Candidates must choose that unaided private schools may also consider CTET-qualified candidates for recruitment. However, this is optional and based on the school’s internal recruitment policy.
For State Government Schools:
Government and aided schools under state administration usually require candidates to qualify the respective State Teacher Eligibility Test (State TET). However, in cases where a state chooses not to conduct its own TET, it may accept the CTET certificate for teacher recruitment.
For Central Government Schools:
CTET certificate is recognized for teaching positions in schools operated by Central Government, along with schools administered by Union Territories like Chandigarh and the NCT of Delhi. Candidates aiming for teaching roles such as Primary Teacher or Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) in KVS must fulfill specific eligibility criteria set by the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan.
For Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) Schools:
Candidates aspiring to appear for NVS TGT and NVS TGT (Third Language) exams must make sure they meet all the eligibility conditions. This includes:
- A graduation degree in any discipline,
- A Bachelor’s degree in Education (B.Ed),
- And a valid CTET qualification.
CTET Validity 2026
Many aspirants become confused regarding the validity of the CTET Certificates. No worries, here we have shared all the important information regarding it. The CTET Validity Certificate 2026 holds lifetime validity, which means candidates who qualify for the exam can use their certificate anytime in the future to apply for teaching jobs. This extended validity helps aspirants apply for various government and private school teaching posts without worrying about retaking the exam frequently.
The certificate is accepted for recruitment in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and many state schools that consider CTET scores. Once issued, candidates can download their certificate and marksheet from the official DigiLocker portal. With lifetime validity, teachers get more flexibility and opportunities throughout their careers.
CTET Study Material
To prepare well for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test, candidates must have access to the best study materials. These include books, previous years' papers, mock tests, subject-wise notes, and more. Check the table below for details about the best study material for Papers I & II.





