CTET Exam Date 2026 (September Session): Full Schedule, Shift Timings & Admit Card Details

CBSE has confirmed the CTET September 2026 exam date as 6 September. Here's the complete Paper 1 & 2 schedule, shift timings, and admit card timeline.

CTET Exam Date 2026: Everything for the September Session

CBSE has locked in the schedule for the next Central Teacher Eligibility Test. If you’re preparing for the September 2026 cycle, here’s the complete breakdown — exam date, shift timings, admit card window, and what to double-check before you walk into the centre.

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CTET September 2026 exam date

The CTET exam for the September 2026 session is scheduled for 6 September 2026 (Sunday). If candidate numbers increase beyond capacity, CBSE has indicated the exam may also extend to 5 September 2026 (Saturday) — so don’t assume a single fixed date until your admit card confirms it.

The Sep 2026 notification was released on 11 May 2026, with the application window open from 11 May to 10 June 2026.

Paper 1 and Paper 2 shift timings

Both papers run on the same day, in reverse order from what many candidates expect:

Paper Shift Timing
Paper II Morning 9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon
Paper I Afternoon 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Each paper runs for 2 hours and 30 minutes, and candidates must reach the centre at least 120 minutes before their shift begins — by 7:30 AM for Paper II and by 12:30 PM for Paper I.

CTET 2026 exam pattern quick facts

  • 150 questions for 150 marks total
  • One mark per correct answer, with no negative marking
  • Mode: offline (pen and paper)
  • Conducted by CBSE, valid for teaching eligibility in Classes 1–8 for central government and recognized schools

When does the CTET 2026 admit card release?

The admit card is typically released two days before the examination, though some official guidance points to a 2–3 day window before the exam. For the 6 September exam, expect the hall ticket around 3–4 September 2026 — but treat this as an estimate until CBSE’s official admit card notice confirms it.

Download steps once it’s live:

  1. Visit the official CTET website — ctet.nic.in.
  2. Click the “CTET 2026 Notification” or admit card link on the homepage.
  3. Log in with your registration number and date of birth.
  4. Download and take at least 2–3 clear printouts — no entry is allowed without the physical hall ticket.

What to carry on exam day

  • Printed CTET admit card (multiple copies)
  • A valid government photo ID — Aadhaar, PAN, or passport
  • Match your subject code on the admit card against what you applied for — this trips up more candidates than people expect, since it affects your Paper 1/Paper 2 eligibility on the day

If there’s any discrepancy on your admit card, report it immediately to the CTET Unit at ctet.cbse@nic.in or 011-24050477 — don’t wait until you’re at the centre to raise it.

After the exam: result and certificate timeline

CTET results are typically announced within six weeks of the exam, released as a login-based scorecard on the official website. Qualified candidates’ CTET certificate and marksheet are made available via DigiLocker after the result declaration.

For reference, the previous CTET session (February 2026) was held on 7–8 February 2026, with results declared on 30 March 2026 — a roughly seven-week turnaround, slightly longer than the typical six-week estimate, so build in some buffer when planning next steps like counselling or job applications.

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CBSE may issue city intimation slips and further exam-day guidelines closer to September — this page will be updated as those details are confirmed.

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