The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is conducting the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) on 08 February 2026 (Sunday). The exam will be held in offline mode. The CTET exam date has been released on the official website, ctet.nic.in. The CTET Notification for 2025-26 will also be released soon. Make sure to check this page regularly for updates and to know the CTET eligibility criteria 2026.Â
Candidates who appear for the CTET exam 2026 will be eligible to teach Classes 1 to 8 in central government schools. This includes Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS), as well as other private and government-aided schools. For structured guidance and expert-led preparation, explore our SSC Online Coaching program to boost your exam readiness.
In this article, we will look into the CTET eligibility criteria 2026.
CTET Exam 2026: Overview
The CTET Exam 2026 evaluates candidates’ eligibility for teaching positions in primary and upper primary schools. It consists of two papers that cover child pedagogy, language, and subject-specific knowledge. Moreover, clearing the CTET opens doors to government teaching jobs. It also boosts career prospects in education nationwide.
CTET Exam 2026: Overview | |
Name of the Examination | CTET February 2026 exam |
CTET Full Form | Central Teacher Eligibility Test |
Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)Â |
Level of Examination | National Level |
Frequency of exam | Twice a year |
Purpose of Exam | To determine whether the candidates are eligible to apply for Classes 1 to 8 teacher recruitment |
CBSE CTET Notification 2025 Date | November/December 2025 |
CBSE CTET 2026 exam date | 08 February 2026 |
Official website | |
CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates are advised to carefully go through the detailed CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026 before moving to any step. They should also review the exam pattern and syllabus. Knowing these details beforehand will help them understand their eligibility for the exam. Candidates aspiring to take the upcoming CTET in February 2026 must meet specific CTET educational qualifications
- 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.
- Paper II (Classes VI–VIII): Graduation with 50% marks and a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) is required.Â
- Equivalent qualifications and integrated teacher education programs are also accepted.
Candidates should note that there is no age limit for applying. Both papers can be attempted by those who meet the criteria. This opens doors to teaching opportunities in central government schools. To strengthen your preparation further, check out our Govt Exam Grade 3 Coaching in Guwahati for comprehensive classroom and online support.
1. CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Nationality
To sit for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test, candidates must note that they are required to hold Indian citizenship. This is a mandatory eligibility requirement set by the exam authorities. Without Indian citizenship, candidates are not eligible to apply for or take the CTET.Â
2. CTET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit
To be eligible for the CTET exam, a candidate must be at least 18 years old. This is the minimum age requirement set by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). There is no upper age limit, which means candidates of any age above 18 can apply for the exam. This allows aspiring teachers from different age groups to pursue teaching opportunities through CTET. There are no age-related restrictions for applicants.
3. CTET Paper 1 Eligibility Criteria 2026
Below is the detailed CTET Paper 1 eligibility criteria 2026:
CTET Paper 1 Eligibility Criteria 2026 |
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). |
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). |
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). |
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). |
Bachelor’s degree with a BEd. |
4. CTET Paper 2 Eligibility Criteria 2026
Below is the detailed CTET Paper 2 eligibility criteria 2026:
CTET Paper 2 Eligibility Criteria 2026 |
Graduation degree and has passed or is appearing in the final year examination of Diploma in Elementary Education (2 years duration). |
Graduation degree with 50 per cent marks and has cleared or appeared in the final year exam of BEd. |
Graduation degree with 40 per cent marks and has cleared or is appearing in the final year exam of BEd, according to NCTE regulations. |
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 a 4-year duration Bachelor of Elementary Education. |
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. |
Graduation degree with 50 per cent marks and has cleared or is appearing in the B.Ed program of 1-year duration. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the CTET exam is held to assess the eligibility of candidates. It is specifically for those aspiring to become Primary Teachers (PRTs) and Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs) in India. Hence, understanding the CTET eligibility criteria 2026 is important for candidates aspiring to appear for the CTET exam 2026. For complete guidance and expert preparation support, explore our detailed CTET Online Coaching page.
Frequently Asked Question
What is the minimum age limit for the CTET 2026 exam?
The minimum age limit to apply for the CTET 2026 exam is 18 years. There is no upper age limit prescribed by the CBSE for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test.
Am I eligible if I am in the final year of a B.Ed. degree course?
Yes, candidates who are appearing in the final year of a recognised B.Ed. or other approved teacher education course are eligible to apply for the CTET exam.
What are the qualifying marks for the General category?
General category candidates must score a minimum of 60% marks in the CTET exam. This equates to scoring 90 out of 150 total marks in either Paper I or Paper II to be considered qualified.
Am I eligible if I scored 58% in my Graduation and belong to the OBC category for Paper 2?
Yes, you are likely eligible. While the General requirement is often 50%, reserved categories like OBC, SC, and ST usually receive a 5% relaxation, making the requirement 45% in the qualifying degree.
Is a B.Ed. degree mandatory for CTET Paper 1 (Class I-V)?
For Paper 1, a B.Ed. degree is one of the valid professional qualifications. Other options include Senior Secondary with a two-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.) or a four-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.).
Am I eligible if I have a B.Ed. but not the D.El.Ed. for Paper 1?
Yes, a B.Ed. degree with a Graduation is a valid qualification for CTET Paper 1 (Classes I-V). However, they may need to undergo a mandatory 6-month bridge course after appointment.
What is the minimum educational qualification for CTET Paper 2 (Class VI-VIII)?
The minimum qualification is typically a Graduation degree (with at least 50% marks for most) along with a recognised Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) or an equivalent teacher training course.
Am I eligible if I have completed a Post-Graduation with 55% marks and an integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed. degree?
Yes, candidates with a Post-Graduation (min. 55% marks) and a three-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed. degree are eligible to apply for both CTET Paper 1 and Paper 2.
What is the validity period of the CTET qualifying certificate?
The validity period of the CTET qualifying certificate has been extended for a lifetime. Candidates who qualify once do not need to reappear for the exam, though they can to improve their score.
Am I eligible if I have attempted the CTET multiple times before?
Yes, there is no restriction on the number of attempts for the CTET exam. Candidates can appear as many times as they wish to qualify or improve their scores.
