The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially announced the schedule for the 22nd edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026. According to an official notification, the exam will now be conducted on December 12 and 13, 2026.
The revised dates mark a shift from the originally scheduled exam, which was to be held earlier. The CBSE had reopened the application window to give more eligible teacher candidates an opportunity to appear for the test.
Key Dates and Timeline
For candidates who have already submitted their applications, the CBSE has outlined the following schedule:
- Exam City and Date Information: Candidates will be able to check their allotted exam city and date on the CTET official website 15 days before the exam.
- Admit Card Release: The admit card, containing the exact exam centre address, will be available for download two days before the exam.
The CBSE has advised candidates to regularly check the official CTET website (ctet.nic.in) for updates and detailed notifications.
Why the Exam Was Rescheduled
The postponement of the exam followed a Supreme Court ruling that emphasized the need to provide reasonable opportunities to eligible teacher candidates to meet the legal requirement of obtaining the prescribed TET qualification. Acting on this, the CBSE decided to reopen the application window and push the exam to December so that a larger number of candidates could participate.
A Quick Look at the Exam Pattern
The CTET is conducted in pen-and-paper (offline) mode and consists entirely of multiple-choice questions. The paper carries 150 questions worth 1 mark each, with no negative marking. The exam is held in two parts:
Paper I: For candidates intending to teach Classes I to V (primary level)
Paper II: For candidates intending to teach Classes VI to VIII (elementary level)
Candidates who wish to qualify for both primary and elementary levels can appear for both papers.
CTET 2026 Exam Timing
As per the revised schedule, the examination will be conducted in two shifts. Paper II will be held in the morning shift, while Paper I will be conducted in the afternoon shift. Candidates should carefully check the timing mentioned on their admit card.
Paper II: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Paper I: 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM
CTET Admit Card 2026
CBSE is expected to release the CTET 2026 admit card shortly before the examination. The admit card will contain important information such as the candidate's name, roll number, examination date, shift, examination centre and other instructions.
Candidates should download the admit card from the official CTET website and carefully verify all the details before appearing for the examination.
What Should Candidates Do Now?
With the revised examination dates announced, candidates should use the remaining preparation time effectively. They should revise the complete syllabus, practise previous-year question papers and take mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
Candidates should also regularly check the official CTET website for updates regarding the city intimation slip, admit card, examination instructions and other important announcements.
How to Check the CTET 2026 Exam Date
Candidates can check the revised CTET examination schedule by following these steps:
- Visit the official CTET website.
- Look for the latest notification regarding the revised CTET 2026 examination date.
- Open the examination-date notice.
- Check the revised schedule carefully.
- Download and save the notification for future reference.
CTET 2026: Key Takeaway
The CTET 2026 examination will now be held on December 12 and 13, 2026. Candidates who are appearing for the 22nd edition should continue their preparation and keep checking the official website for the city intimation slip and admit card updates.
Candidates are advised to rely on official CBSE/CTET announcements for the final schedule and examination-related instructions.
