According to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the final three days of the application window experienced an extraordinary surge, as over 9.6 lakh aspirants registered between December 16 and December 18, 2025. This remarkable rise clearly reflects the growing aspiration among candidates to secure teaching positions in government schools.
Sharing official data on X (formerly Twitter), CBSE revealed that 1,93,182 candidates registered on December 16, followed by 3,53,218 registrations on December 17, while 4,14,981 applications were submitted on the final day of registration.
Overall, during the 22-day registration period from November 11 to December 18, 2025, a total of 25,30,436 candidates successfully completed their CTET application process.
In comparison, the CTET July 2024 session recorded 20,25,554 registrations, while the December 2024 examination saw 16,72,748 candidates, highlighting a significant year-on-year increase in participation and growing competition.
The CTET 2026 examination is scheduled to be conducted on February 8, 2026. Candidates who committed errors while filling out their application forms will be allowed to make corrections during the application correction window from December 23 to December 26, 2025.
CTET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility requirements vary depending on the paper selected by the candidate:
Paper I (Classes 1–5):
Candidates must have secured at least 50% marks in Class 12 and should possess or be pursuing one of the following qualifications:
- Two-year Diploma in Elementary Education
- Four-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.)
- Diploma in Special Education
Paper II (Classes 6–8):
Applicants should meet one of the following criteria:
- Graduation along with a Diploma in Elementary Education
- Graduation with at least 50% marks and a B.Ed. (or equivalent)
- Class 12 with 50% marks and a four-year B.El.Ed. / B.A.Ed. / B.Sc.Ed.
- Graduation with B.Ed. in Special Education
CTET 2026 Exam Details
The 21st edition of CTET, covering both Paper I and Paper II, will be conducted on February 8, 2026, across 132 cities nationwide. The examination will be held in 20 different languages, ensuring broader accessibility for candidates from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
Steps to Download CTET Admit Card
1. Visit the official website: www.ctet.nic.in
2. Click on the “Download CTET Admit Card” link on the homepage
3. Enter your application number and date of birth or password
4. Submit the details to view the admit card
5. Download and print the admit card for use on the examination day
CTET serves as a national-level eligibility benchmark for aspiring teachers and is mandatory for recruitment to teaching posts in government schools, including Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS). The record-breaking number of applications this year underscores the growing importance of CTET in shaping teaching careers across India and reflects the intense competition candidates must prepare for ahead of the 2026 examination.