The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially begun the CTET February 2026 Registration process, and candidates can submit their applications until December 18, 2025. Since CTET is a national-level eligibility exam for teaching positions in government and recognized schools, timely registration becomes extremely important. Moreover, this test serves as a compulsory qualification for those aspiring to teach at primary and upper-primary levels across India. Therefore, eligible candidates must complete the form before the closing date to avoid last-minute rush or technical errors.
According to the official bulletin, the CTET 2026 exam will be held on February 8, 2026. Interestingly, it will be the 21st edition of the examination, conducted in 20 languages across 132 cities, making it one of the largest teaching eligibility tests in the country.
How to Apply for CBSE CTET February 2026
The application process is simple; however, candidates must follow each step attentively to avoid any mistakes.
Here is the complete step-by-step guide:
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First, visit the official website: ctet.nic.in
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Next, click on the CTET February 2026 application link available on the homepage
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Then, log in using the required credentials
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After that, fill out the application form and upload all necessary documents
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Subsequently, pay the application fee and thoroughly re-check the details
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Finally, submit the form carefully
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Additionally, download and print the confirmation page for future reference
Therefore, candidates should verify all information before final submission because changes cannot be made later.
Eligibility Criteria for CTET February 2026
The eligibility rules are strictly set by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). Hence, aspirants must review the complete guidelines available on the official website (ncte.gov.in).
1. As per NCTE Regulations
The minimum educational qualifications must align with the latest NCTE norms for appointment as teachers in:
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Pre-primary
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Primary
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Upper Primary
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Secondary
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Senior Secondary or Intermediate schools
2. As per Government Recruitment Rules
Furthermore, candidates must meet either:
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The recruitment rules set by their respective state government
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The guidelines issued by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) or Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS)
3. Candidate’s Own Responsibility
Applicants must ensure their eligibility before submission.
However, appearing for the exam does not guarantee eligibility. Consequently, the final verification will be done by the recruiting authority at the appointment stage.
Relaxation for Reserved Categories
Additionally, NCTE provides a 5% relaxation in qualifying marks for:
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SC
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ST
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OBC
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Differently abled candidates
Why is the CTET Exam Important?
CTET acts as a national benchmark for evaluating teaching skills. Therefore, it is essential for candidates who wish to teach:
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Classes 1–5 (Primary)
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Classes 6–8 (Upper Primary)
Moreover, CTET qualification is mandatory for teaching positions in central government schools such as:
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Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS)
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Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS)
Additionally, many state government and private schools also prefer candidates with CTET certification.
Meanwhile, clearing CTET strengthens a candidate’s career prospects and opens the door to multiple teaching opportunities.
