CTET September 2026 Application Form Started, Salary Up to ₹90,000

The wait is over. CBSE has officially opened the online application window for CTET September 2026. If you want to teach in a government school – whether KVS, NVS, Army School, or state government – this is your first big step.

The exam will be held on 6 September 2026 across 132 cities. You can take it in any of 27 languages. And here’s the best part: there’s no upper age limit.

Let me walk you through everything – from eligibility to salary, exam pattern to application steps, and most importantly, what actually happens after you clear CTET.

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First, a reality check about the salary

You might have seen headlines saying “Teacher Salary Up to ₹90,000”. That’s true, but let me explain exactly how it works.

CTET itself does not give you a job. It gives you a certificate that proves you’re eligible to teach. Once you have that certificate, you can apply for teaching posts in:

• Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) – PRT, TGT, PGT

• Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) – TGT, PGT

• Army Public Schools – all teaching levels

• State government schools (through State TET exams)

• Private schools (most prefer CTET qualified candidates)

The salary you get depends on which post you land:

And yes, government teachers get DA, HRA, medical benefits, and pension on top of this.

So the ₹90,000 figure is real – but only for PGT posts in central government schools after you clear their separate recruitment exam.

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Important dates you cannot miss

Don’t wait until the last week of May. Server issues are common. Apply as early as possible.

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A major change this year – exam city allotment

This is new. And you need to know it before you fill the form.

You will not get to choose your exam city this time.

The board will randomly assign exam cities to ensure fair distribution across all centers. Once a city is assigned, you cannot change it. No modification requests will be accepted later.

So what should you do? Enter your district and state correctly during registration. The board will try to allot a city near your preferred location. And keep checking your email and SMS after submission – that’s how you’ll know your assigned city.

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Eligibility: Paper 1 vs Paper 2 – which one are you?

CTET has two papers. Paper 1 is for teaching Classes 1 to 5. Paper 2 is for Classes 6 to 8. You can take one or both.

For Paper 1 (Primary Teacher / PRT)

You need:

• 12th pass from a recognized board

• A 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) OR BTC / JBT / B.El.Ed

• Minimum 50% marks in 12th (45% for SC/ST/OBC)

For Paper 2 (Upper Primary / TGT)

You need:

• A graduation degree from a recognized university

• B.Ed or D.El.Ed or Special Education degree

• Minimum 50% marks in graduation (45% for SC/ST/OBC)

If you’re in your final year, you can still apply. But you’ll need to show your degree certificate at the time of document verification later.

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Age limit – no tension here

Minimum age: 17 or 18 years depending on the state or central rules.

Maximum age: There is none. Literally. CTET has no upper age limit. As long as you have the right educational qualifications, you can appear for the exam at any age.

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Application fee – how much and how to pay

You can pay online using debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm all work).

Warning: Never pay any agent or third party. The CTET application is 100% online through the official website only.

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Exam pattern – what the question paper looks like

Both papers have 150 questions. Each question carries 1 mark. Total 150 marks. Duration is 2.5 hours.

Paper 1 subjects (for Classes 1 to 5)

• Child Development & Pedagogy – 30 questions

• Language 1 – 30 questions

• Language 2 – 30 questions

• Mathematics – 30 questions

• Environmental Studies – 30 questions

Paper 2 subjects (for Classes 6 to 8)

• Child Development & Pedagogy – 30 questions

• Language 1 – 30 questions

• Language 2 – 30 questions

• Mathematics & Science (if you want to become Maths or Science teacher) OR Social Studies (if you want to become Social Studies teacher) – 60 questions

Good news: There is no negative marking. So attempt every question even if you’re not 100% sure.

Passing marks: General category needs 90 out of 150 (60%). SC/ST/OBC needs 82 out of 150 (55%).

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How to apply – step by step

Go to ctet.nic.in. That’s the only official website.

Click on “CTET September 2026 Apply Online”. Register with your name, mobile number, and email. You’ll get an OTP. Complete the registration.

Login with your registration number and password. Now fill in:

• Personal details (address, category, disability status if any)

• Educational qualification (12th, graduation, B.Ed details)

• Which paper you want to take – Paper 1, Paper 2, or both

Upload your photograph (JPEG, 10-100KB) and signature (JPEG, 5-50KB). Pay the fee online. Preview the entire form. Check every detail carefully.

Then click Final Submit. Download the confirmation page. Take two printouts. Keep one for yourself and one for backup.

That’s it. You’re done.

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Documents you need before starting

Keep these ready before you sit down to fill the form:

• Passport size photograph (clear, high contrast)

• Signature (on white paper with black pen)

• 12th marksheet

• Graduation degree (for Paper 2)

• B.Ed or D.El.Ed certificate

• Category certificate (if SC/ST/OBC/EWS)

• PwD certificate (if applicable)

• Aadhaar card or voter ID

• Your mobile phone and email ID active

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What happens after you clear CTET?

This is the most important part. Most candidates clear CTET and then don’t know what to do next.

Your CTET certificate is valid for 7 years. That means you have 7 years to find a teaching job using this certificate.

Here’s the exact path:

Step 1: You qualify CTET with 60% marks (General) or 55% (SC/ST/OBC).

Step 2: Download your CTET certificate from the official website.

Step 3: Now start watching for recruitment notifications from:

• KVS (Kendriya Vidyalaya) – they hire PRT, TGT, PGT every year

• NVS (Navodaya Vidyalaya) – regular TGT and PGT recruitment

• Army Public Schools – vacancies come through their regional offices

• Your state’s TET exam – many states require both CTET and State TET

• Private schools – most post vacancies on their websites

Step 4: Apply for those recruitment exams. They will have their own written test and interview.

Step 5: Clear their selection process. Get the appointment letter.

So CTET is not the final exam. It’s the first filter. The real job offer comes from KVS, NVS, or your state government after another round of exams.

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Books that actually help

Buying too many books is a waste. Stick to these:

• Child Development & Pedagogy – Arihant’s CTET & TETs (Pearson is also good)

• Mathematics – CTET Mathematics by R.G. Gupta

• EVS – CTET EVS by Wiley

• Hindi language – Upkar publication

• English language – Arihant

• Social Studies (Paper 2) – Disha publication

Also solve previous year papers from the last 10 years. That’s more important than any book. And take mock tests regularly – at least one every week in the two months before the exam.

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10 mistakes that ruin your application – avoid them

I’ve seen candidates make these errors every single year. Don’t be one of them.

1. Blurry photo – Use a clear, high-contrast photo. No sunglasses, no hats.

2. Signature mismatch – Sign exactly like you do on your Aadhaar card.

3. Wrong date of birth – Check your 10th marksheet before filling.

4. Selecting the wrong paper – Paper 1 is for Class 1-5. Paper 2 is for Class 6-8. Choose correctly.

5. Wrong category – Keep your category certificate open while filling.

6. Fee payment failure – Use net banking or UPI. Debit cards sometimes fail.

7. Forgetting Final Submit – After payment, you must click Final Submit. Many people miss this.

8. No printout of confirmation – Take two printouts immediately after submission.

9. Applying on last day – Servers crash. Apply at least one week before deadline.

10. Wrong parent name – Match exactly with your 10th certificate. Don’t add “Shri” or “Smt” if the certificate doesn’t have it.

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Teacher salary across different states (real numbers)

Here’s what you can expect as a starting salary in different states after you get a teaching job. These are approximate figures including basic pay + DA + HRA.

Delhi pays the highest. Bihar and UP start lower but have regular increments.

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Pass percentage trend – how tough is the exam?

The pass percentage is slowly increasing, but still – only about half the candidates clear it. So preparation matters.

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Frequently asked questions (the real ones)

Q: Can I take both papers in the same exam session?
Yes. You can apply for both. The fee for both papers is ₹1200 (General) or ₹600 (SC/ST). Both exams happen on the same day – one in the morning shift, one in the afternoon.

Q: What if I forget my application number?
Go to ctet.nic.in and use the “Forgot Registration Number” option. You’ll need your name, mobile number, and date of birth.

Q: Can I change my exam city after submission?
No. This year, cities are allotted randomly and no changes are allowed. Read the city allotment section above carefully.

Q: Is CTET accepted in all states?
CTET is valid for central government schools (KVS, NVS, Army Schools) across India. For state government schools, some states accept CTET directly, others require you to take their own State TET exam. Check your state’s rules.

Q: Do private schools really care about CTET?
Many private schools now prefer CTET qualified candidates. Some make it mandatory. Having a CTET certificate increases your chances significantly.

Q: Where do I get the admit card?
From ctet.nic.in, about 2-3 weeks before the exam date. You’ll also get an SMS and email notification.

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Last piece of advice

Start your preparation today. Don’t wait for the admit card or the last date.

The most important subject in both papers is Child Development & Pedagogy – 30 marks. Master that one subject, and you’re already ahead of half the candidates.

Solve previous year papers. Take mock tests. Revise regularly.

CTET is not a difficult exam. It’s a competitive exam. The difference between passing and failing is usually just 5-10 questions. Those 5-10 questions come from consistent practice, not last-minute cramming.

Official website: ctet.nic.in
Direct apply link: (check the website – it will be active when you visit)

All the best with your CTET journey. If you clear it, a stable, respected teaching career is waiting for you.