CBSE Revises CTET 2026 Exam Dates, Test Scheduled on Feb 7–8

The Central Board of Secondary Education has officially revised the examination schedule for the 21st edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026. The exam, which was earlier planned for a single day, will now be conducted over two days on 07 February 2026 and 08 February 2026. The decision has been taken in view of the large number of applications received this year, ensuring that the test is conducted smoothly for all registered candidates.

CTET 2026 Revised Exam Schedule and Shift Timings

CBSE has released the updated timetable for both Paper I and Paper II. Candidates must check the exact date and shift mentioned on their admit cards before appearing for the examination. The revised schedule will be followed on both exam days.

CTET shift-wise timing is as follows:

• Paper II (Morning Shift): 09:30 AM to 12:00 Noon
• Paper I (Afternoon Shift): 02:30 PM to 05:00 PM

These timings will remain the same for 07 February 2026 and 08 February 2026.

Reason Behind CTET 2026 Date Revision by CBSE

CBSE has stated that extending the CTET examination to two days was necessary due to the high volume of candidates appearing this year. Conducting the exam across multiple shifts will help manage exam centre capacity and ensure a fair and organised process nationwide. The CTET 2026 examination will be held across 140 cities in India, offering wide accessibility for aspirants from different regions.

Important Instructions for CTET Candidates

Candidates have been advised to follow all instructions mentioned on their CTET admit cards carefully. Reporting late may lead to disqualification, as entry will not be permitted once the exam begins. Before appearing for the exam, candidates must ensure they carry:

• CTET admit card 2026
• A valid original photo identity proof

CBSE has also clearly stated that no requests for changes in examination city, centre, or exam date will be entertained under any circumstances.

CTET 2026 examination will be conducted in 20 languages.

CTET 2026 will be conducted in 20 languages, making the examination inclusive for candidates from diverse linguistic backgrounds.The available languages include:

English, Hindi, Assamese, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bangla, Malayalam, Gujarati, Kannada, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Urdu, Nepali, Oriya and others.

CTET Paper I and Paper II Eligibility Overview

CTET is a national-level eligibility test for candidates aspiring to become teachers in Classes 1 to 8 in central government schools and other institutions recognising CTET scores.

The exam consists of two papers:

• Paper I: Eligibility for teaching Classes 1 to 5
• Paper II: Eligibility for teaching Classes 6 to 8

Candidates are advised to stay updated through official CBSE CTET notifications for further details regarding admit cards and examination guidelines.