CTET February 2026: Your Guide to Exam Dates, City Slips, and Admit Cards on ctet.nic.in
All you need to know about the upcoming Central Teacher Eligibility Test.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has set the stage for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) February 2026 examination. For lakhs of aspiring teachers across India, staying updated on the official website, ctet.nic.in, is paramount. With the exam date officially announced and the city intimation slips now released, candidates are urged to take note of all crucial details to ensure a smooth preparation and examination process. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the latest updates, essential dates, and step-by-step instructions for accessing your exam city and admit card.
CTET February 2026: Key Dates at a Glance
The CTET examination is a national-level test conducted twice a year, acting as a mandatory eligibility criterion for those aspiring to teach in central government schools for Classes 1 to 8. Here's a quick overview of the important dates for the February 2026 cycle:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CTET Notification Release | November 27, 2025 |
| Application Start Date | November 27, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | December 18, 2025 |
| Application Correction Window | December 23 - 26, 2025 |
| Exam City Intimation Slip Release | January 23, 2026 |
| CTET Exam Date | February 8, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Admit Card Release | Tentatively 2 days before the exam (February 6, 2026) |
Decoding Your CTET Exam City Intimation Slip
The CTET Exam City Intimation Slip, released by CBSE on January 23, 2026, is a crucial document that provides candidates with advance information about their allotted examination city. This slip is designed to help candidates plan their travel and accommodation arrangements in advance, especially those who might need to travel from other cities. It's important to remember that this is NOT your admit card; it only contains the name of your exam city and not the exact center address or reporting time.
How to Download Your CTET Exam City Slip
Follow these simple steps to access and download your CTET February 2026 Exam City Intimation Slip:
Important Note: Once the exam city has been allotted, it cannot be changed. Ensure you check the details carefully.
Understanding the CTET Admit Card
While the city intimation slip gives you your exam city, the actual CTET Admit Card is the mandatory document for entry into the examination hall. The CBSE will release the admit cards approximately two days before the exam date. For the February 8, 2026, exam, expect the admit cards around February 6, 2026.
✅ The admit card will contain crucial information including your exact exam centre address, shift timing, reporting time, and important instructions for the exam day.
✅ Candidates must download their admit card from ctet.nic.in by logging in with their application number and date of birth.
✅ Remember to carry a printout of your admit card along with a valid photo ID proof to the examination centre.
CTET February 2026: Exam Structure and Other Key Details
The CTET February 2026 exam will be conducted in an offline (OMR-based) mode. The examination is held in two shifts on the same day:
✅ Paper II: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM (for aspiring teachers of Classes 6-8)
✅ Paper I: 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM (for aspiring teachers of Classes 1-5)
The exam is conducted in approximately 132 to 136 cities across India and offered in 20 different languages, ensuring wide accessibility for candidates. A total of 25,30,436 candidates completed their online applications for this cycle, indicating a high level of participation.
Your Path to a Teaching Career
The CTET certificate holds immense value, serving as a gateway to teaching positions in various central government schools like KVS and NVS. Successful qualification in this exam is a testament to a candidate's readiness to impart quality education. With the exam date drawing near, focus on your preparation, revise thoroughly, and ensure all logistical arrangements are in place well in advance.
Stay tuned to ctet.nic.in for the final admit card release and any other official announcements. Good luck to all the candidates!