Sunita Somvanshi
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) for September 2026 has been postponed by the Central Board of Secondary Education. The official CTET portal announced the postponement without publicly detailing the specific reason behind the rescheduling decision.
Candidates who had begun application processes now face an extended application deadline through September 1, 2026. The CBSE conducting body has committed to announcing a revised exam date within two weeks of the application deadline closure, allowing candidates adequate preparation time before the rescheduled test.
CTET assesses teacher eligibility across two certification levels. Paper I qualifies candidates for primary-level teaching (Classes I-V), while Paper II certifies upper-primary instructors (Classes VI-VIII). The National Council for Teacher Education oversees qualification standards, though CBSE administers the actual examination and certification.
Eligibility criteria remain unchanged. Applicants require a Bachelor’s degree plus a Teacher Education diploma or Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) qualification. Age restrictions vary by state recruitment rules, with most states accepting candidates between 21-65 years old. The postponement does not alter these fundamental requirements.
Application fees remain ₹1000 for Paper I, ₹1000 for Paper II, or ₹1200 for both papers combined. Fee payment proceeds through the official portal using debit card, credit card, or net banking. Candidates should ensure payment completion before the September 1 deadline to secure exam eligibility.
Photo and signature upload follows standard identity-verification protocols. Specific photo and signature corrections are handled through CBSE’s dedicated image discrepancy redressal link, allowing candidates to modify visual documentation after initial submission without resubmitting application forms entirely.
The postponement impacts recruitment timelines across multiple state education departments. Many states coordinate teacher recruitment cycles with CTET exam schedules, meaning delays cascade to state-level hiring processes. Candidates should contact their respective state education recruitment boards for updated recruitment calendars reflecting the revised CTET timeline.
