The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the Exam City Details for the upcoming Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) February 2026. This is a crucial update for all registered candidates as it informs them of the city where they will be taking the examination scheduled for 08 February 2026. The exam city has been allotted on a random basis by CBSE, and requests for changes will not be entertained. Candidates must now log in to the official portal to check their allotted city and prepare for the subsequent release of the admit card. This comprehensive guide provides all verified details about the CTET February 2026 exam, including the complete selection process, syllabus, and important instructions.

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a qualifying examination, not a direct recruitment for specific vacancies. Clearing CTET certifies that a candidate possesses the minimum essential qualifications to be a teacher for Classes I to VIII in schools under the Central Government (KVS, NVS, Central Tibetan Schools, etc.) and schools under the administrative control of Union Territories (UTs). Many state governments and private schools also consider CTET scores for teacher appointments.

• CTET Certificate Validity: The CTET qualifying certificate is valid for lifetime for all categories, as per the latest notification from the Government of India.
• Number of Attempts: There is no restriction on the number of attempts a candidate can take for appearing in CTET.

The application fee for CTET February 2026 varies based on the number of papers applied for and the candidate's category.

Candidates could pay the examination fee online through the following modes:

• Debit Card
• Credit Card
• Internet Banking
• IMPS
• Mobile Wallets

Candidates must meet the following minimum educational qualifications to be eligible for CTET.

• Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks AND passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
• OR Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 45% marks AND passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) in accordance with the NCTE Regulations.
• OR Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks AND passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).
• OR Graduation AND passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).

• Graduation AND passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
• OR Graduation with at least 50% marks AND passed or appearing in a 1-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed).
• OR Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks AND passed or appearing in the final year of a 4-year B.A.Ed / B.Sc.Ed / B.A.B.Ed / B.Sc.B.Ed.
• OR Graduation with at least 45% marks AND passed or appearing in a 1-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed) in accordance with NCTE Regulations.

There is NO upper or lower age limit to appear for the CTET examination.

Reservation Rules: As CTET is a qualifying test, there is no reservation in the exam itself. However, relaxation in the qualifying marks is provided to candidates belonging to reserved categories as per Government of India norms. The benefits of reservation in teacher appointments are availed as per the recruitment rules of the respective Central/State Government or Union Territory at the time of employment.

The CTET is a pass/fail qualifying examination. The "selection" refers to qualifying the test.

1. Written Examination: Candidates must appear and qualify in either Paper-I, Paper-II, or both, depending on their eligibility and preference.
2. Qualifying Marks & Certificate: Candidates who score 60% or more marks are considered "CTET Qualified". The CBSE issues CTET Certificates to qualified candidates, which can be used to apply for teaching positions.

There is no interview, document verification, or further selection process conducted by CBSE for CTET.

Note: Candidates opting for Mathematics & Science or Social Studies/Social Science must choose one group only.

• Each question carries 1 mark.
• There is NO NEGATIVE MARKING for incorrect answers.

• Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) for each paper.
• Language/Medium: The question paper is available in 20 languages including English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, and others.
• Candidates must choose their Language I and Language II during the application process. Language I is for comprehension and pedagogy, while Language II is for proficiency and communication.

A. Child Development and Pedagogy: Development of Primary School Child, Concept of Inclusive education and understanding children with special needs, Learning and Pedagogy.

B. Language I & II: Comprehension, Pedagogy of Language Development, Grammar, Verbal Ability.

C. Mathematics (Paper I & II): Content (Numbers, Geometry, Mensuration, Data Handling), Pedagogical issues (Nature of Mathematics, Community Mathematics, Error analysis).

D. Environmental Studies (Paper I): Content (Family & Friends, Food, Shelter, Water, Travel, Things We Make and Do), Pedagogical Issues (Concept & Scope, Approaches to teaching).

E. Mathematics & Science (Paper II): Mathematics (Number System, Algebra, Geometry), Science (Food, Materials, The World of the Living, Natural Phenomena, Natural Resources).

F. Social Studies/Social Science (Paper II): History, Geography, Social and Political Life, Pedagogical Issues.

Exam City Allotment: As per the official notice, candidates cannot select their examination city during application. The CBSE allots the exam city on a random basis. The request for a change of allotted city is not accepted under any circumstances.

How to Check Exam City: Candidates must log in to the official CTET portal using their Application Number and Password to check their allotted exam city. This is an advance intimation and is NOT the Admit Card.

Admit Card: The actual admit card will be released a few days before the examination (08 February 2026). It will contain crucial details like the exact exam centre name, address, roll number, candidate's photograph, and reporting time. The admit card must be carried to the exam centre along with a valid photo ID proof.

The CTET February 2026 examination will be conducted in cities across all states and union territories of India. The exact list of exam cities is not published in a standalone list; each candidate's allotted city is displayed individually upon login. Candidates are advised to familiarize themselves with the location and travel route to their allotted city well in advance.

The results are usually declared within 4-6 weeks after the examination.

• Qualifying Marks: General/OBC candidates need to secure at least 60% marks (90 out of 150). SC/ST/PwD candidates need to secure at least 55% marks (82 out of 150).
• Cut-off: As CTET has fixed qualifying marks, there is no "cut-off" in the traditional competitive exam sense. Anyone scoring equal to or above the prescribed minimum marks qualifies.
• Merit List: CBSE does not prepare a merit list. All qualifying candidates receive the CTET Certificate, which is equally valid.

1. Visit the official exam city check link: https://examinationservices.nic.in/examsysctet/...
2. Enter your Application Number in the provided field.
3. Enter your Password (created during registration).
4. Enter the CAPTCHA code shown on the screen.
5. Click on the 'Login' or 'Submit' button.
6. Your allotted Exam City will be displayed on the screen.
7. Download or take a screenshot of the page for your future reference.
8. For the admit card, a separate link will be activated on the CTET website closer to the exam date. Follow a similar login process to download it.

For Exam Day (Admit Card & ID Proof):

• Printed Copy of CTET Admit Card 2026 (with clear photograph).
• One Original Photo Identity Proof: Aadhar Card, PAN Card, Driving License, Voter ID, Passport, or any other Government-issued ID. The name on the ID should match the name on the admit card.
• One passport-size photograph (same as uploaded, to be pasted on the attendance sheet).
• PwD certificate (if applicable) for availing scribe facilities.

During Application & Certificate Verification (for future jobs): All original educational certificates, caste/category certificates (if applicable), and photo ID proof.

Clearing the CTET opens doors to numerous teaching opportunities across India.

• Central Government Schools: Mandatory for teacher appointments in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), Central Tibetan Schools, and schools under the administrative control of UTs like Delhi, Chandigarh, etc.
• State Government Schools: Many state governments (e.g., Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, etc.) accept or give weightage to the CTET certificate in their State TET recruitment processes.
• Private Schools: A vast majority of private schools across the country prefer or mandate a CTET-qualified teacher, as it ensures a standard of pedagogical knowledge.
• Government Aided Schools: Teachers in government-aided schools are also often required to be CTET qualified.
• Career Stability & Respect: Teaching is a noble and stable profession with scheduled holidays, job security (in government schools), and high social respect.