Campus Times | Lucknow 

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the notification for the CTET September 2026 examination. Candidates aspiring to become teachers for Classes 1 to 8 can now apply online through the official CTET website from May 11, 2026.

According to the official notice, the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) will be conducted on September 6, 2026, across 132 cities in India. Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 will be held on the same day. CBSE has also indicated that the examination may additionally be conducted on September 5 if the number of applicants is exceptionally high.

CTET September 2026: important dates

Candidates planning to appear for the exam should keep track of the following schedule:

• Online registration begins: May 11, 2026

• Last date to apply: June 10, 2026 (11:59 PM)

• Last date for fee payment: June 10, 2026 (11:59 PM)

• Application correction window: June 15 to June 18, 2026

• Admit card release: Two days before the examination

• Exam date: September 6, 2026 (Sunday)

• Expected result date: By the end of October 2026

Major change in exam city allocation

One of the key updates in the CTET September 2026 notification is related to exam centre allotment. This year, candidates will not be allowed to choose their preferred exam city while filling out the application form.

CBSE will allot examination cities on its own, and once assigned, no request for change in the exam centre will be entertained. The move is expected to help streamline the examination process and manage large-scale applications more efficiently.

Eligibility and papers explained

CTET is a mandatory eligibility test for candidates seeking teaching jobs in central government schools and several state schools across the country.

• Paper 1 is conducted for candidates who wish to teach Classes 1 to 5.

• Paper 2 is meant for those aiming to teach Classes 6 to 8.

Candidates who intend to apply for both levels are required to appear for both papers.

Detailed notification expected soon

As of now, CBSE has released a short notification containing the application schedule and examination details. The detailed information bulletin, including eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, and application fee structure, is expected to be released shortly on the official website.

CTET qualification remains valid for a lifetime, making it an important certification for teaching aspirants across India.