The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is one of the most important exams for anyone dreaming of becoming a teacher in India. For the 2026 session, the exam is scheduled for February 8, 2026. Because this exam is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the rules are very strict.
If you are appearing for the exam, you must follow the guidelines perfectly to ensure your hard work doesn’t go to waste.
Understanding the CTET 2026 Exam Schedule
The CTET exam is divided into two parts: Paper I (for those who want to teach classes 1 to 5) and Paper II (for those who want to teach classes 6 to 8). On February 8, 2026, the exam will be held in two shifts.
It is a common mistake to get confused between the morning and evening shifts. Please check your admit card carefully to see which paper you are appearing for.
Shift Timings Table
| Event | Paper-II (Elementary Stage) | Paper-I (Primary Stage) |
| Exam Date | 08.02.2026 (Sunday) | 08.02.2026 (Sunday) |
| Reporting Time | 07:30 AM | 12:30 PM |
| Last Entry Allowed | 09:30 AM | 02:30 PM |
| Exam Duration | 09:30 AM to 12:00 Noon | 02:30 PM to 05:00 PM |
Important Note: The gates will close exactly at the exam start time. If you reach even one minute late after 09:30 AM or 02:30 PM, the security guards will not let you in. There are no exceptions.
Also Read: CTET February City Intimation 2026
Mandatory Document List: What to Carry
When you leave your house on exam day, you must have a small “Exam Kit” ready. Without these documents, you will be stopped at the main gate.
A. CTET Admit Card 2026
This is your entry pass. Make sure you download it from the official website (ctet.nic.in).
- Tip: Print two copies. Keep one in your bag and one in your hand. If one gets wet or torn, you will have a backup.
- Check: Ensure your photo and signature are clearly visible on the printout.
B. Valid Photo Identity Proof (Original)
You must carry a government-issued ID card. A photocopy or a photo of the ID on your phone will NOT be accepted. You must carry the original.
- Aadhaar Card (Most recommended)
- Voter ID Card
- PAN Card
- Passport
- Driving License
C. Passport Size Photographs
Carry at least two recent passport-size photos. Sometimes the photo on the attendance sheet is blurry, and the invigilator might ask for a physical photo to verify your identity.
D. Blue/Black Ballpoint Pen
Since CTET 2026 is an offline exam, you need to circle your answers on an OMR sheet.
- Use a thick-nib ballpoint pen because it helps fill the circles faster.
- Prohibited: Do not use pencils, gel pens, or fountain pens.
Also Read: CTET February 2026 Exam Centre List Released
Dress Code Guidelines: What to Wear
To prevent cheating, CBSE has strict rules about what you can wear. You don’t want to spend 15 minutes at the gate being checked by security because of your clothes.
- Clothes: Wear simple, light-colored clothes. Avoid clothes with large buttons, heavy embroidery, or too many pockets.
- Sleeves: It is better to wear half-sleeve shirts or T-shirts. Full sleeves sometimes create suspicion during checking.
- Footwear: Wear slippers or flat sandals. Avoid wearing shoes with thick soles or boots, as security might ask you to remove them outside the hall.
- Ornaments: Do not wear any jewelry. This includes rings, necklaces, earrings, nose pins, or even bangles. Most centers will ask you to remove them before entering.
- Watches: Even simple analog watches are not allowed. There will be a clock in every classroom or the invigilator will announce the time every hour.
Prohibited Items: What to Leave at Home
If you are caught with any of these items inside the hall, you can be banned from the CTET exam for life.
- Electronic Items: Mobile phones, Bluetooth headsets, smartwatches, microphones, or cameras.
- Stationery: Books, notebooks, pieces of paper, geometry boxes, or plastic pouches.
- Personal Items: Wallets, handbags, goggles, or belts with large metal buckles.
- Food Items: You cannot carry snacks or tea/coffee into the room. However, you can carry a transparent water bottle (without any labels).
Advice for Diabetic Candidates: If you have health issues like diabetes, you are allowed to carry sugar tablets or fruits (like bananas/apples) and a transparent water bottle, but you must have a medical certificate for this.
Inside the Exam Hall: Rules of Conduct
Once you enter the room, find the desk that has your Roll Number pasted on it. Do not sit anywhere else.
- Biometric Attendance: Many centers now use thumb impressions or face scanning. Cooperate with the staff.
- The Test Booklet: You will receive a sealed Test Booklet. Do not break the seal until the invigilator tells you to do so.
- Attendance Sheet: You will be asked to sign the attendance sheet and provide your thumb impression. Make sure you do this carefully, as this is the proof that you attended the exam.
- Leaving the Hall: You cannot leave your seat until the full 2.5 hours are over, even if you finish your paper early.
Mastering the OMR Sheet
The OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) sheet is the most critical part of the exam. A machine reads this sheet, so if you make a mistake, a human cannot fix it.
- Filling Details: Fill in your Roll Number, Center Code, and Booklet Code very carefully. If these are wrong, your paper will not be checked.
- No Erasures: You cannot use white fluid (whitener), blades, or erasers to change an answer. If you mark two circles for one question, that answer will be marked as zero.
- The Correct Way to Bubble: * (✓) Correct: Fully darkened circle.
- (✗) Incorrect: Cross mark, tick mark, or half-filled circle.
Passing Criteria and Validity
Knowing what you need to achieve will help you stay focused during the 150 minutes of the exam.
- Total Questions: 150 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
- Total Marks: 150 marks.
- Negative Marking: There is NO negative marking. This is a huge advantage! If you don’t know an answer, make a smart guess. Never leave a question blank.
- Passing Marks (General): 60% (90 out of 150).
- Passing Marks (OBC/SC/ST): 55% (82.5 out of 150).
Lifetime Validity: Once you pass the CTET 2026 exam, your certificate is valid for your whole life. You don’t need to give the exam again unless you want to improve your score.
Final Tips for Exam Day
- Sleep Early: Don’t study late into the night on February 7. A fresh mind is better than a tired one.
- Locate Your Center: If possible, visit the exam center a day before so you know exactly how long it takes to get there.
- Stay Calm: If you find the first few questions difficult, don’t panic. Move to the next section (like Language or EVS) and come back to the tough ones later.
- Time Management: You have 150 minutes for 150 questions. That is exactly 1 minute per question. Don’t spend 5 minutes on one math problem.
The CTET 2026 is a golden opportunity to secure your career in teaching. By following these CBSE guidelines carrying the right documents, wearing simple clothes, and reaching on time you remove all the “extra” stress and can focus entirely on your paper.
Remember, your admit card is your most important document. Download it early and read every line written on the back of it. Good luck for your journey toward becoming a teacher!
Thank you for the information