CTET December 2026 (22nd edition): dates and pattern
CBSE has set the 22nd edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) for 12 and 13 December 2026, according to a public notice dated 14 September 2026.
| Edition | 22nd edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test |
|---|---|
| Exam dates | 12 and 13 December 2026 (revised; CBSE public notice dated 14 September 2026) |
| Exam city slip | 28 November 2026 |
| Admit card | 10 December 2026 (two days before the exam) |
| Mode | Offline, OMR-based |
| Duration | 2 hours 30 minutes per paper |
| Negative marking | None |
| Official website | ctet.nic.in |
Papers
CTET has two papers: Paper I for candidates who want to teach Classes I to V, and Paper II for Classes VI to VIII. Candidates can take one or both. In recent bulletins each paper has had 150 multiple-choice questions for 150 marks; confirm the current numbers in the official information bulletin.
Validity
A CTET qualifying certificate is valid for life under current rules. CTET qualification makes you eligible to apply for teaching posts; it is not itself a recruitment exam.
After the exam
CBSE has in past editions released candidates' OMR response sheets and a provisional answer key with a window to raise objections. See how the CTET OMR sheet and answer key process works.
Frequently asked questions
When is CTET 2026 (22nd edition)?
12 and 13 December 2026, per the CBSE public notice dated 14 September 2026.
When is the admit card released?
Two days before the exam; reported as 10 December 2026.
When is the exam city slip?
Reported as 28 November 2026.
Is there negative marking?
No.
Where do I get official updates?
ctet.nic.in and cbse.gov.in.
Sources
- CareerPower: CTET exam date 2026 (22nd edition)
- Careerindia: CTET 2026 revised exam dates
- CBSE notice on the exam date (PDF, as hosted by Adda247)
- Official: CTET portal
Secondary sources are press reports of official notices. Always confirm on the official portal before acting.