CTET Exam Date 2026 Out: 12 & 13 December Schedule
The CTET Exam Date 2026 is now official. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will hold the 22nd edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) on 12 and 13 December 2026.
CBSE announced the revised exam dates on 14 September 2026. Therefore, candidates now have a clear timeline for their final preparation.
In addition, CBSE has shared important details about the exam city and admit card. Candidates can check their exam city and allotted exam date 15 days before their exam. CBSE will also provide the CTET Admit Card 2026 two days before the candidate’s exam date.
So, candidates should now complete their syllabus, revise key topics and solve mock tests. They should also check the official CTET website regularly for new notices.
Latest Update: CBSE will conduct CTET 2026 on 12 and 13 December 2026. Candidates can check their exam city information 15 days before the exam. They can download their admit card two days before their allotted exam date.
CTET Exam Date 2026 Overview
First, check the main details of the CTET December 2026 exam below.
| Particular | Details |
|---|
| Exam Name | Central Teacher Eligibility Test |
| Short Name | CTET 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Central Board of Secondary Education |
| Edition | 22nd Edition |
| Revised Notice Date | 14 September 2026 |
| CTET Exam Date 2026 | 12 & 13 December 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Paper 1 | Classes 1 to 5 |
| Paper 2 | Classes 6 to 8 |
| Total Questions | 150 per paper |
| Maximum Marks | 150 per paper |
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
| Negative Marking | No |
| Exam City Details | 15 days before the exam |
| Admit Card | 2 days before the exam |
| Official Website | ctet.nic.in |
CBSE conducts CTET to check the eligibility of candidates for teaching posts. Paper 1 covers the primary level, while Paper 2 covers the upper-primary level.
CTET New Exam Date 2026 Official Notice
CBSE has confirmed the new dates for the 22nd edition of CTET.
The board will hold the exam on:
- 12 December 2026
- 13 December 2026
Earlier, candidates were waiting for an updated schedule. However, the latest notice now confirms the December exam dates.
Moreover, CBSE has explained when candidates can check their exam city and download their admit card.
Candidates can check their exam city and allotted exam date 15 days before the exam. After that, CBSE will provide the admit card two days before the exam.
Therefore, candidates should rely on the official CTET portal for final information.
CTET Exam Date 2026 Important Dates
The table below shows the important CTET 2026 dates and updates.
| Event | Date / Status |
|---|
| Revised CTET Notice | 14 September 2026 |
| Exam City Information | 15 days before allotted exam date |
| CTET Admit Card 2026 | 2 days before allotted exam date |
| CTET Exam Date | 12 & 13 December 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
Most importantly, candidates should not depend on one fixed city-slip or admit-card date.
Instead, CBSE will provide these details according to each candidate’s allotted exam date.
Therefore, candidates should check the official portal regularly as the exam gets closer.
CTET Exam City Slip 2026
The CTET Exam City Slip 2026 will help candidates know the city where they will take the exam.
CBSE will provide the exam city details 15 days before the examination.
Therefore, candidates can expect this information around the last week of November, depending on their allotted exam date.
However, candidates should not treat a calculated date as an official release date. They should check the CTET website for the final update.
What Will the CTET Exam City Information Show?
The exam city details may include:
- Candidate’s name
- Application details
- Allotted exam city
- Allotted exam date
- Paper details
However, the exam city information does not replace the admit card.
The admit card will contain the final exam centre details.
CTET Admit Card 2026
CBSE will provide the CTET Admit Card 2026 two days before the candidate’s exam date.
Therefore, candidates who take the exam on different days may get access to their admit cards on different dates.
For example:
- Candidates appearing on 12 December 2026 may get access around 10 December 2026.
- Candidates appearing on 13 December 2026 may get access around 11 December 2026.
However, these are calculated dates based on CBSE’s two-day rule. CBSE has not announced them as separate fixed release dates.
Therefore, candidates should always check the official website before relying on any date.
Details on the CTET Admit Card
After downloading the hall ticket, candidates should check these details:
- Candidate’s name
- Roll number
- Photograph
- Signature
- Exam date
- Paper details
- Reporting time
- Shift timing
- Exam centre name
- Exam centre address
- Important instructions
If candidates notice an error, they should follow the instructions given by CTET authorities.
CTET December 2026 Shift Timings
The current CTET information bulletin lists Paper 2 in the morning shift and Paper 1 in the afternoon shift.
Check the schedule below.
| Activity | Paper 2 – Morning | Paper 1 – Afternoon |
|---|
| Entry at Exam Centre | 7:30 AM | 12:30 PM |
| Admit Card Checking | 9:00–9:15 AM | 2:00–2:15 PM |
| Test Booklet Distribution | 9:15 AM | 2:15 PM |
| Last Entry | 9:30 AM | 2:30 PM |
| Exam Starts | 9:30 AM | 2:30 PM |
| Exam Ends | 12:00 Noon | 5:00 PM |
| Duration | 2 Hours 30 Minutes | 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
Therefore, Paper 2 candidates should plan for the morning shift. Meanwhile, Paper 1 candidates should prepare for the afternoon shift.
However, CBSE may provide fresh instructions for the December exam.
So, candidates should follow the time printed on their final admit card.
How to Check CTET Exam Date 2026 Official Notice
Candidates can check the latest CTET notice in a few simple steps.
- First, visit the official CTET website at ctet.nic.in.
- Next, open the Public Notices or Latest News section.
- Then, find the notice related to the 22nd edition of CTET.
- Open the official notice.
- Check the revised exam dates carefully.
- Also, read the instructions about the exam city and admit card.
- Finally, save the notice for future use.
In addition, candidates should visit the website regularly. CBSE may post separate updates about the city slip, admit card or exam-day rules.
CTET Exam Pattern 2026
CTET has two papers — Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Both papers contain multiple-choice questions.
Each paper has 150 questions for 150 marks. Candidates get one mark for each correct answer.
Most importantly, CTET has no negative marking.
| Particular | Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
|---|
| Total Questions | 150 | 150 |
| Maximum Marks | 150 | 150 |
| Question Type | MCQ | MCQ |
| Marks Per Question | 1 | 1 |
| Negative Marking | No | No |
| Duration | 2 Hours 30 Minutes | 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
| Exam Mode | Offline | Offline |
Therefore, candidates should try to answer all questions after checking the options carefully.
CTET Paper 1 Exam Pattern 2026
Candidates who want to teach Classes 1 to 5 should take CTET Paper 1.
Paper 1 includes five sections.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Each section carries 30 marks.
Therefore, candidates should prepare all five subjects instead of focusing on only one or two sections.
Moreover, regular practice can help candidates improve speed and accuracy.
CTET Paper 2 Exam Pattern 2026
Candidates who want to teach Classes 6 to 8 should take CTET Paper 2.
The paper includes three common sections. After that, candidates answer a subject-based section.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies/Social Science | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Candidates who choose Mathematics and Science will answer that section.
On the other hand, Social Studies/Social Science candidates will answer the related section.
In both cases, the paper contains 150 questions for 150 marks.
Is There Negative Marking in CTET 2026?
No, CTET 2026 has no negative marking.
Candidates get one mark for every correct answer. In contrast, CBSE does not cut marks for a wrong answer.
Therefore, candidates can consider attempting every question.
However, they should still read each question carefully before choosing an option.
CTET 2026 Preparation Strategy
Now that CBSE has announced the exam dates, candidates should follow a clear study plan.
A simple and regular strategy can help candidates use the remaining time well.
Complete the CTET Syllabus
First, complete all pending topics.
Do not leave major chapters for the final few days.
Instead, divide your daily study time into:
- New topics
- Revision
- Previous-year questions
- Mock tests
- Weak areas
As a result, you can cover the syllabus without creating too much pressure near the exam.
Focus on Child Development and Pedagogy
Child Development and Pedagogy carries 30 marks in both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Therefore, candidates should give this section enough time.
Focus on:
- Child development
- Learning concepts
- Teaching methods
- Inclusive education
- Classroom situations
- Pedagogy
Moreover, try to understand each concept instead of only memorising definitions.
This approach can help with application-based questions.
Solve CTET Previous-Year Papers
Previous-year papers can help candidates understand the exam better.
For example, they can show:
- Common question types
- Important topics
- Difficulty level
- Repeated concepts
- Time-consuming areas
- Weak sections
Therefore, candidates should solve previous-year questions regularly.
After each paper, they should also check their mistakes.
Make Short Revision Notes
Short notes make final revision easier.
Candidates can prepare simple notes for:
- Definitions
- Important theories
- Formulas
- Teaching concepts
- Key facts
- Difficult topics
In addition, keep the notes short and clear.
As a result, you can revise more topics in less time before the exam.
Attempt CTET Mock Tests
Mock tests help candidates check their preparation level.
Therefore, candidates should attempt full-length mock tests regularly.
After each test, check:
- Wrong answers
- Weak topics
- Unanswered questions
- Slow sections
- Concept errors
- Time-management issues
Most importantly, do not focus only on the score.
Instead, find the reason behind every mistake and revise that topic again.
CTET Exam Day Instructions
Candidates should follow all instructions on their final admit card.
First, reach the exam centre well before the reporting time.
Also, carry all required documents.
Candidates should:
- Carry a printed admit card
- Carry valid photo ID
- Check the exam centre route in advance
- Reach the centre on time
- Avoid banned electronic devices
- Follow staff instructions
- Read every question carefully
- Manage time across all sections
Moreover, candidates should check the final admit card for the latest exam-day rules.
If CBSE changes any instruction, the latest official notice or admit card should guide candidates.
Why Is CTET 2026 Important?
CTET is an important teacher eligibility exam in India.
It helps candidates meet eligibility rules for many teaching opportunities.
However, CTET does not directly give candidates a teaching job.
Instead, a CTET-qualified candidate can apply for suitable teacher recruitment when an eligible school or recruiting body announces vacancies.
Therefore, candidates should understand the difference between eligibility and recruitment.
Is CTET a Recruitment Exam?
No. CTET is not a direct recruitment exam.
CBSE uses CTET to check teacher eligibility.
Therefore, passing CTET does not automatically give a candidate a government or private teaching job.
After qualifying, candidates must apply separately for suitable recruitment opportunities.
In addition, each recruiting body may have its own rules, qualifications and selection process.
CTET Exam Date 2026 Highlights
Here is a quick summary of the most important information.
| CTET 2026 Details | Information |
|---|
| Conducting Authority | CBSE |
| Exam Name | Central Teacher Eligibility Test |
| Edition | 22nd Edition |
| Exam Dates | 12 & 13 December 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam City Details | 15 days before exam |
| Admit Card | 2 days before exam |
| Paper 1 | Classes 1–5 |
| Paper 2 | Classes 6–8 |
| Questions | 150 per paper |
| Marks | 150 per paper |
| Duration | 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
| Negative Marking | No |
CTET Exam Date 2026 FAQs
What is the CTET Exam Date 2026?
CBSE will conduct the 22nd edition of CTET on 12 and 13 December 2026.
Has CBSE announced the CTET Exam Date 2026?
Yes. CBSE announced the revised CTET exam dates on 14 September 2026.
When can I check my CTET exam city?
Candidates can check their exam city and allotted exam date 15 days before their examination.
When can I download the CTET Admit Card 2026?
CBSE will provide the admit card two days before the candidate’s allotted exam date.
Is 10 December 2026 the official CTET admit card date?
CBSE has not announced 10 December as one common fixed date for all candidates.
Instead, CBSE says candidates can download the admit card two days before their examination.
Is 28 November 2026 the official CTET city slip date?
No single fixed city-slip date has been announced for all candidates.
Instead, CBSE will provide exam-city information 15 days before each candidate’s exam.
How many questions are there in CTET 2026?
Each CTET paper contains 150 multiple-choice questions.
Conclusion
The CTET Exam Date 2026 is now confirmed for 12 and 13 December 2026.
Therefore, candidates should now focus on revision, previous-year papers and mock tests.
At the same time, keep checking the official CTET website for new updates.
Remember, CBSE will provide exam city details 15 days before the exam. After that, candidates can download their CTET admit card two days before their allotted exam date.
Finally, check your admit card carefully and follow the latest CBSE instructions on exam day.
Bookmark this page and share it with other CTET aspirants so they can also stay updated with the latest CTET 2026 news.
