CTET Exam Date 2026: The wait is finally over for CTET aspirants. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the revised schedule for the 22nd edition of CTET 2026, with the exam now set to be held on December 12 and 13, 2026.
The exam was earlier postponed, leaving candidates waiting for a confirmed date. With the new schedule now out, aspirants can plan their remaining preparation, revision and mock tests around a fixed exam timeline. Here’s what candidates need to know about the CTET Exam Date 2026, admit card and other important updates.
CTET Exam Date 2026: Check New Schedule
The CTET 2026 examination will be held on December 12 and 13. Candidates appearing for Paper 1 or Paper 2 should carefully check the official schedule and future updates on the CTET website.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam | Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) |
| Conducting body | CBSE |
| Edition | 22nd edition |
| Session | September 2026 |
| Revised exam dates | December 12 and 13, 2026 |
| Papers | Paper 1 and Paper 2 |
| Official website | ctet.nic.in |
The new dates give candidates additional time to strengthen areas where their preparation may still be incomplete. Instead of simply extending the syllabus coverage, this period can be used more effectively for revision and practice.
Candidates can check the latest exam schedule and official announcements on the CTET official website.
CTET Paper 1 and Paper 2: Who Can Appear?
Confused about whether you need CTET Paper 1 or Paper 2? The answer depends on the classes you want to teach. Paper 1 is for candidates aiming to teach Classes 1 to 5, while Paper 2 is for those who want to teach Classes 6 to 8.
Candidates who want to qualify for both teaching levels can appear for both papers, subject to the required eligibility conditions.
Here’s the simple breakdown:
| CTET Paper | Teaching Level |
|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Classes 1 to 5 |
| Paper 2 | Classes 6 to 8 |
| Both Papers | Classes 1 to 8 |
Each CTET paper carries 150 questions for 150 marks and is conducted for 2 hours 30 minutes. The questions are objective type, and there is no negative marking for an incorrect answer.
One important point for candidates: qualifying CTET does not by itself guarantee a teaching job. Candidates must also meet the eligibility conditions prescribed for the particular recruitment or school where they apply.
Watch the latest CTET Exam Date 2026 update and get the revised exam schedule, important dates and other key details.
Why the Revised CTET Date Matters for Candidates
The revised CTET exam date 2026 gives candidates a confirmed timeline for preparation. With the exam now scheduled for December 12 and 13, aspirants can plan their remaining study days around a fixed target.
Those who have completed the syllabus can focus on revision, previous-year questions and mock tests, while candidates with pending topics can use this time to finish the important ones first.
The key now is to make the additional preparation time count. Candidates should also regularly check ctet.nic.in for updates on the city intimation slip, admit card and other exam-related instructions.
CTET City Intimation Slip 2026
Before the examination, CBSE will provide candidates with information about their allotted examination city through the CTET city intimation slip.
The city intimation slip is different from the admit card. It is primarily intended to inform candidates about the city where their examination centre will be located, while the admit card contains the detailed examination centre information and other important instructions.
Candidates should therefore avoid relying on unofficial social media posts for centre-related information and wait for the official update on ctet.nic.in.
CTET Admit Card 2026
The CTET admit card 2026 will be released before the examination. Candidates will need to download it from the official CTET portal once CBSE activates the link.
After downloading the hall ticket, candidates should check important details such as their name, photograph, examination date, paper, centre and reporting instructions. Any discrepancy should be brought to the attention of the concerned authority as early as possible.
What Should CTET Candidates Do Now?
With the CTET exam date 2026 finally confirmed, candidates should stop waiting for another schedule update and move into focused preparation mode.
If your syllabus is complete, spend more time solving previous-year CTET questions and taking timed mock tests. If some sections are still pending, prioritise high-weightage and frequently tested topics before moving to detailed revision.
Most importantly, keep checking the official CTET website for updates related to the city intimation slip, admit card, examination centre and other instructions. Exam-related information can change, so the latest official notice should always be treated as the final reference.
CTET Exam Date 2026 FAQs
When is the CTET Exam Date 2026?
The revised CTET 2026 examination will be conducted on December 12 and 13, 2026, as per the schedule announced by CBSE.
When will CTET Paper 1 and Paper 2 be conducted?
CTET Paper 1 and Paper 2 will be conducted as part of the examination scheduled for December 12 and 13, 2026. Candidates should check their admit card for their specific paper, date and examination details.
When will the CTET city intimation slip 2026 be released?
CBSE will release the CTET city intimation information before the examination. Candidates should check ctet.nic.in for the official release and download link.
When will the CTET admit card 2026 be released?
The CTET admit card will be issued before the examination. Candidates should download it from the official CTET website after the admit card link becomes active.
Bottom Line
The CTET Exam Date 2026 has now been revised to December 12 and 13, 2026, giving candidates a confirmed timeline for the upcoming examination. With the date settled, the focus should now shift from waiting for updates to making the most of the remaining preparation time.
For CTET aspirants, this is a good opportunity to turn the additional time into stronger preparation. Complete any remaining topics, revise important concepts, practise previous-year questions and take regular mock tests. Keep ctet.nic.in bookmarked and follow only official updates for the city slip, admit card and examination instructions.
Read the latest CTET 2026 schedule and exam-related updates in this [Indian Express report].