The Central Board of Secondary Education has officially launched registration for the CTET February 2026 India, rescheduling the long-awaited December 2025 exam to February 8, 2026. Applications opened at 8:00 AM on November 27, 2025, and will close on December 18, 2025, at 11:59 PM on the official portal ctet.nic.in. This shift — from its traditional December slot to a February date — has thrown off the usual rhythm for over a million teacher aspirants across India, many of whom had planned their study schedules, job applications, and even relocation around the original timeline.
Why the Delay? A Pattern of Uncertainty
It’s not the first time the CTET has been pushed back. The December 2024 session was originally slated for mid-December but got moved to January 2025 after last-minute logistical adjustments. This time, the CBSE quietly published a Public Notice on October 24, 2025, hinting at a postponement without giving a new date. For weeks, candidates were left guessing — forums buzzed with rumors, coaching centers paused their campaigns, and hopefuls delayed buying study materials. The confusion wasn’t just frustrating; it was costly. Many applicants had already paid for mock tests, coaching bundles, or travel to exam centers.
According to the Central Board of Secondary Education, the delay stems from "coordination with state education departments to align infrastructure readiness." That’s bureaucratic speak for: too many centers weren’t prepared for OMR sheet handling, power backups, or staff training. The CBSE — headquartered at Shiksha Bhavan, Preet Vihar, New Delhi — conducts this exam across 700+ cities. Last year, over 1.8 million candidates showed up. This year? Expect similar numbers.
The Registration Process: What Candidates Must Do Now
The application window is tight — just 21 days. Candidates must visit ctet.nic.in, click "Apply Online," and fill out a form requiring personal details, educational qualifications, and a scanned photo and signature. Crucially, you must pick your preferred exam city. You can’t change it later. The fee? ₹1,000 for general category, ₹500 for SC/ST/PwD, and ₹1,200 for both Paper 1 and Paper 2. Payment must be completed by December 18 — no extensions, no grace periods.
"The last date to apply is December 18, 2025," says Shikha Goyal, Assistant Manager at Shiksha.com. "Many candidates wait until the last day. Don’t. Server crashes are inevitable. And if your payment fails at 11:58 PM, you’re out."
Admit cards will roll out in January 2026, likely two weeks before the exam. The test itself remains pen-and-paper, OMR-based — no digital switches, despite years of requests. Paper 1 covers classes I-V; Paper 2 is for VI-VIII. You can take both, but you pay extra. And yes — you still need this certificate to teach in CBSE, ICSE, and most state-run schools under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
What’s Different This Time?
Historically, CTET notifications dropped in September or early November. The December 2024 exam was announced on September 13, 2024, with applications open until October 16. The January 2024 session? Notification came November 3, 2023. This year? Nothing until October 24, then silence until November 27. That’s a 34-day gap between hint and action — unprecedented.
"This isn’t just a delay. It’s a breakdown in communication," says Dr. Rajiv Mehta, an education policy analyst at Delhi University. "The CBSE treats CTET like a routine exam. But for millions of young women — who make up 80% of applicants — this isn’t just a job test. It’s their only path to stable, government-recognized employment. A missed deadline can mean another year of contract teaching or returning home unemployed. The board owes them more transparency."
Timeline: What Comes Next
- November 27, 2025: Registration opens
- December 18, 2025: Registration closes
- January 2026: Admit cards released
- February 8, 2026: Exam day
- Mid-February 2026: Answer keys published
- March 2026: Results declared
Results will be available online only. No physical certificates will be mailed. Candidates must download and print their scorecards — they’ll be needed for job applications.
Why This Matters Beyond the Classroom
The CTET isn’t just another exam. It’s a gatekeeper to public sector teaching jobs — and with over 1.2 million teacher vacancies nationwide, according to the National Council for Teacher Education, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A delay like this ripples through local economies. Coaching centers lose revenue. Students delay housing moves. Families postpone weddings or medical procedures. In rural areas, where internet access is spotty, many candidates rely on local cyber cafes. When the site crashes on Day 1, hundreds get locked out.
"We’ve seen this before," says Pratibha Singh, a teacher aspirant from Patna who applied for CTET 2024 but missed the window by three hours. "I had to wait 14 months. My sister, who applied in 2023, got a job in January 2025. I’m still tutoring kids in my living room. If I miss this one? I don’t know if I can afford to try again."
What’s Next for CBSE and Teacher Recruitment?
Pressure is mounting for CBSE to digitize the CTET. The exam still uses OMR sheets — outdated tech that leads to manual errors, delays in result processing, and massive paper waste. In 2023, over 300 metric tons of paper were used for CTET answer sheets alone. Yet, the board insists on "maintaining accessibility" for candidates without smartphones or stable internet.
But experts argue: if the government can run Aadhaar, UPI, and e-NAM digitally, why not this? "It’s not about technology," says Dr. Mehta. "It’s about willpower. The CBSE has the budget. It just doesn’t prioritize teacher recruitment."
For now, candidates must focus on the February 2026 exam. The countdown has begun. And this time, there’s no room for error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 in CTET February 2026?
Yes, candidates can apply for both Paper 1 (Classes I-V) and Paper 2 (Classes VI-VIII) in a single application. However, a higher fee of ₹1,200 applies for both papers combined, compared to ₹1,000 for one paper. You must select both options during registration. Passing both papers qualifies you to teach across all primary and upper-primary levels.
What if I miss the December 18 deadline?
There are no late applications or fee extensions for CTET. The portal shuts down automatically at 11:59 PM on December 18, 2025. Even minor technical glitches after that time won’t be considered. Candidates who miss the window must wait for the next cycle, expected in July-August 2026, with the exam likely in October or November 2026.
Are CTET scores valid for life?
Yes, CTET qualifying certificates are now valid for life, as per the National Council for Teacher Education’s 2021 amendment. Previously, they expired after seven years. This change means passing CTET February 2026 will permanently qualify you for teaching positions in government and aided schools across India — even if you apply for jobs five years later.
Do I need to appear for CTET if I’m applying to private schools?
Technically, no — private unaided schools aren’t legally required to hire only CTET-qualified teachers. But in practice, nearly all reputable private schools, including CBSE and ICSE affiliates, list CTET as mandatory. It’s become the industry standard. Without it, your resume may not even be reviewed, even if you have a B.Ed. degree.
How many attempts can I make for CTET?
There is no limit on the number of attempts. Candidates can appear for CTET as many times as they wish, even after qualifying. Many applicants retake the exam to improve their score for better job placements or promotions. The highest score from all attempts is considered for employment purposes.
When will the answer key and results be released?
The provisional answer key is expected in mid-February 2026, within 10 days of the exam. Candidates can challenge it for a fee of ₹1,000 per question. Final results are scheduled for March 2026. The CBSE typically releases results around the third week of the month, and scorecards can be downloaded directly from ctet.nic.in using your registration number and date of birth.
