The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026 will now be held on February 7 and 8. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) expanded the exam dates to accommodate a rise in applicant numbers. Previously, the CTET 2026 was scheduled for February 8 only.
The exam will take place in 140 cities nationwide. Candidates must arrive at their assigned CTET exam center at least one hour before the start time. They need to bring their admit card and an original identification document for verification.
CBSE urges applicants to confirm the exam date on their admit card. The board will not consider any requests to change the exam city, center, or date.
CTET 2026 Schedule and Times
The CBSE CTET 2026 exam has been scheduled for two days with specific timings for each paper.
| Date | Paper | Time |
|---|---|---|
| February 7 | Paper 2 | 9:30 am to 12:00 noon |
| February 7 | Paper 1 | 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm |
| February 8 | Paper 2 | 9:30 am to 12:00 noon |
| February 8 | Paper 1 | 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm |
Language Options in CTET
Reports suggest the CTET may soon offer the Maithili language. This follows a proposal cleared in a National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) meeting. Currently, CTET is administered in 20 languages. These include Hindi, English, Assamese, and Gujarati.
About the CTET Exam
The CTET exam is for individuals seeking to teach Classes 1 through 8. It is applicable in central government schools. It also applies to other institutions that recognize CTET scores. The examination consists of two papers. Paper 1 assesses candidates for primary classes (1-5). Paper 2 evaluates suitability for upper primary classes (6-8).