Sunita Somvanshi
The Central Board of Secondary Education has postponed the September 2026 CTET examination, affecting lakhs of teacher aspirants preparing across the country. The September 6 exam has been postponed, and if you missed the first application deadline, there’s good news—CBSE reopened registrations from August 25 to September 1, 2026.
This is the 22nd edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test, and the postponement affects candidates at both levels. Paper I is for people aiming to teach Classes 1 to 5, while Paper II targets those heading toward Classes 6 to 8. Both tests are conducted under the mandatory eligibility framework for teaching in Central Government schools like Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya schools, and Central Tibetan schools. Candidates appear for the paper relevant to their intended teaching level—Paper I for primary, Paper II for upper primary—and can appear in both if they want eligibility for both levels.
Why the extension matters for you
If you missed the May application window, this seven-day reopening was your lifeline. CBSE postponed the examination and reopened the application window, giving eligible candidates who had not applied earlier another opportunity to submit applications. The revised exam date has not been announced yet, but CBSE says it will share that separately on their official portal at ctet.nic.in.
Here’s what happens next. Once you apply, CBSE has provided a correction facility for eligible application details; candidates should check the official CTET notice at ctet.nic.in for the specific fields and dates permitted. If you made a payment mistake—say your bank processed a transaction error—retain your transaction reference number and check with CBSE’s official channels.
The pass rates you should know
In the most recent CTET examination in February 2026, 25.7% of candidates qualified overall—33.7% for Paper I and 18.6% for Paper II. The exam is genuinely competitive, but not as narrow as older statistics might suggest. General category candidates need 60 percent (90 out of 150 marks) to qualify. If you’re from SC, ST, OBC, or hold a disability certificate, the threshold is 55 percent (82 marks). The good news is that since 2021, CTET certificates are valid for life, not just seven years like before. This opens up teaching roles across government schools, state teacher recruitment, and even some private institutions that recognize the qualification.
What changed for Paper I and Paper II
The Supreme Court clarified qualification rules recently. If you hold a diploma in elementary education (D.El.Ed, JBT, or BTC), you’re set for Paper I. If you’re a B.Ed graduate, Paper II is the route aligned to your qualification. Eligibility criteria include multiple qualification combinations, so candidates should check the current CTET eligibility criteria directly on the official portal rather than deciding solely on the basis of one qualification.
Your action items now
First, check the correction window dates on ctet.nic.in. Second, keep an eye out for the revised exam announcement—official word only. Third, start preparing using official CBSE syllabi. Your admit card can be downloaded two days before the final exam date, and successful candidates get digital certificates directly into their DigiLocker accounts after results.
The postponement disrupts study schedules, sure. But if you missed the first window, this extension is your chance to actually apply and get certified for a teaching career that affects millions of student lives.
