The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has reopened the application portal for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET 2026). This one-time measure allows 1,61,127 candidates with incomplete registrations to finalize their applications. The portal is accessible on the official website,ctet.nic.in. The window for completion opens on December 27 at 11:00 AM and closes on December 30 at 11:59 PM .
Purpose of CTET and Application Details
The CTET examination serves as a national-level eligibility test for individuals seeking teaching positions in India. It certifies candidates for teaching roles in Central Government schools, such as Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, along with various private schools. Passing CTET is a mandatory requirement for teacher recruitment for Classes 1 to 8.
CBSE reopened the portal following numerous candidate grievances. Many applicants reported difficulties completing their original registration forms by the initial December 18 deadline. The board acknowledged these challenges, offering this final opportunity to ensure eligible candidates can complete their submissions. This facility addresses potential issues from technical problems or last-minute complications during the primary registration period.
Candidates must verify all previously submitted information during this extended period. Any errors or discrepancies require immediate correction. The board has explicitly stated that no further opportunities for corrections will be provided after the December 30 deadline . This reopening strictly applies to candidates who started but did not complete their previous applications. The portal will not accept new registrations during this window.
- Portal Access Dates: December 27, 2026 (11:00 AM) to December 30, 2026 (11:59 PM).
- Official Website: ctet.nic.in.
- Eligibility: Only candidates with previously incomplete registration forms.
- Important Advisory: Ensure all details are accurate; no further correction window will open.
- Note: This window does not allow for fresh applications.
Record Registrations for CTET February 2026
The CTET February 2026 examination cycle has recorded an unprecedented number of applicants. A total of 25,30,581 candidates successfully completed their registrations, marking the highest figure ever for a CTET exam.
These registration numbers significantly exceed those from previous examination cycles. The July CTET exam saw 20 lakh registrations, while the December 2024 exam recorded 16 lakh applicants. This substantial increase indicates a growing interest in teaching careers across the country.
Despite the high number of successful registrations, 1,61,127 applications remained incomplete when the original process closed on December 18 at 11:59 PM. A significant volume of applications occurred during the final days of the initial window. On the second-last day, 3,53,218 applications were submitted, followed by 4,14,981 on the last day. This surge highlights the common trend of last-minute submissions in application processes.
| CTET Exam Cycle | Total Successful Registrations | Status |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | 25,30,581 | Highest Ever |
| July (Previous Cycle) | 20,00,000 | |
| December 2024 (Previous Cycle) | 16,00,000 |
CTET 2026 Examination Schedule
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) for 2026 is scheduled for February 8, 2026 . The examination will be conducted nationwide in two distinct shifts.
- Shift 1: Morning session, from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM (noon).
- Shift 2: Afternoon session, from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM.
Candidates who successfully complete their registration by the extended deadline should prepare for the exam according to this schedule. Admit cards containing exact venue details and specific instructions will be released on the official CTET website closer to the examination date. Applicants must regularly monitorctet.nic.infor these critical updates to ensure timely access to their hall tickets and avoid any last-minute issues.