CTET Notification 2025 Out for February 2026 Exam, Application Dates, Eligibility

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) to assess the eligibility of candidates for teaching positions in central government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs). This year, the CTET exam will not be conducted in 2025. Instead, the next session will be held as CTET February 2026, with the official exam date announced as 8th February 2026. The CTET 2025 Notification for this February cycle will be released on 25th October 2025 on the official website www.ctet.nic.in, along with the complete application process and eligibility details. Qualified candidates receive a CTET certificate valid for a lifetime, opening doors to teaching opportunities across India.

CTET 2025 Notification

In recent years, the CTET exam has usually been conducted twice: once in July and once in December. However, in 2025, there was no update for the July session. Now, the CBSE has confirmed that the next CTET exam will be held on 8th February 2026, and the detailed notification will be released on 25th October 2025. The CTET 2025 Notification PDF will include all crucial details such as the exam schedule, eligibility criteria, application process, syllabus, and exam structure. This is a golden opportunity for teaching aspirants who wish to start their careers in government schools.

CTET 2025 Exam Overview

The CTET examination is divided into two papers: Paper I (for Classes 1-5) and Paper II (for Classes 6-8). Both papers are conducted in offline OMR-based mode and are bilingual in English and Hindi. Below is a brief overview of the CTET 2025 Exam:

CTET 2025 Important Dates

The CTET 2025 Notification for the February 2026 cycle will include complete information about registration dates, fee submission, and admit card release. Candidates must apply within the specified window on the official CTET website. The important dates are as follows:

CTET 2025 Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for CTET 2025 differs for primary and upper primary teachers. The educational qualifications for both categories are listed below:

Educational Qualification for Classes 1-5 (Paper I)

• Senior Secondary or equivalent with at least 50% marks and passed/appearing in 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
• Or Senior Secondary with 45% marks and passed/appearing in 2-year D.El.Ed as per NCTE 2002 norms.
• Or Senior Secondary with 50% marks and passed/appearing in 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).
• Or Senior Secondary with 50% marks and passed/appearing in 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education).
• Or Graduation with passed/appearing in 2-year D.El.Ed.

Educational Qualification for Classes 6-8 (Paper II)

• Graduation and passed/appearing in 2-year D.El.Ed.
• Or Graduation with 50% marks and passed/appearing in B.Ed.
• Or Graduation with 40% marks and passed/appearing in B.Ed per NCTE regulations.
• Or Senior Secondary with 50% marks and passed/appearing in 4-year B.El.Ed.
• Or Senior Secondary with 50% marks and passed/appearing in B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed.
• Or Graduation with 50% marks and passed/appearing in 1-year B.Ed (Special Education).

CTET 2025 Application Process

Candidates can apply online through the official website www.ctet.nic.in

 once the registration link is activated. Applicants must carefully read all guidelines and ensure all required documents are ready before applying. Any incorrect information may lead to disqualification. The exact start and end dates for the CTET Application Process will be announced along with the notification.

CTET 2025 Application Fee

The application fee for CTET 2025 differs based on category and the number of papers applied for. Candidates can pay the fee through online modes such as debit/credit card or net banking.

CTET 2025 Selection Process

The selection process for CTET 2025 is based solely on performance in the written examination. Candidates need to score a minimum of 60% marks to qualify for the CTET certificate. However, qualifying CTET does not guarantee a job; it only serves as an eligibility criterion to apply for teaching vacancies in government and aided schools.

CTET 2025 Exam Pattern

The CTET 2025 Exam Pattern comprises two papers: Paper I for classes 1 to 5 and Paper II for classes 6 to 8. Each paper carries 150 multiple-choice questions for a total of 150 marks and is conducted for 150 minutes. The exam is offline (OMR-based) and tests candidates’ teaching aptitude, subject knowledge, and understanding of child pedagogy.

Candidates can choose two languages for the exam, one as Language I and the other as Language II from the list below:

CTET 2025 Certificate Validity

The CTET 2025 Certificate Validity has now been extended to a lifetime, making it applicable for teaching appointments without any expiry limit. This change, announced by the Education Minister, has been implemented retrospectively from 2011. Candidates whose certificates had previously expired can now obtain a revalidated certificate with lifetime validity. The responsibility for revalidating or reissuing TET certificates lies with the respective State and Union Territory authorities. Earlier, the CTET certificate was valid only for seven years from the date of issuance.

CTET 2025 Exam Centre

The CTET Exam 2025 will be conducted in multiple cities across all States and Union Territories. Candidates can select four preferred exam centres while applying. CBSE will allot the CTET 2025 Exam Centre based on availability.

CTET 2025 Teacher Salary

After qualifying for the CTET 2025, candidates can apply for teaching posts in KVS, NVS, and other government schools. The salary structure varies for Primary Teachers (PRT), Trained Graduate Teachers (TGT), and Post Graduate Teachers (PGT).