The CTET Admit Card for February 2026 is expected to be released today or tomorrow. Candidates will be able to download the admit card from the official CBSE CTET website ctet.nic.in. As per the official notification, admit cards are released two days before the examination date.
Earlier, the CTET exam was scheduled for 8 February only. Due to revised scheduling, the examination will now be conducted on 7 February and 8 February 2026. This change has affected the admit card release timeline for different candidates.
Candidates whose CTET exam is scheduled on 7 February may receive their admit cards on 4 or 5 February. Those appearing for the exam on 8 February are likely to get their admit cards on 6 February. CBSE is expected to activate the download link shortly.
Record Number of Candidates to Appear for CTET 2026
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test scheduled for 7 and 8 February 2026 will witness an unprecedented turnout. This year, the number of applicants has crossed 25 lakh. This marks one of the highest participation figures in CTET history.
The surge in applications is linked to new eligibility rules for in-service teachers. Passing the Teacher Eligibility Test has now become mandatory for job continuation and promotion. Due to this requirement, a large number of working teachers have applied for CTET.
Supreme Court Decision Increases Pressure on In-Service Teachers
The Supreme Court decision making TET mandatory has created pressure on thousands of teachers nationwide. Many primary teachers in states like Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan have been teaching without passing TET for years.
Under the new rule, such teachers must clear TET within two years. Failure to do so may result in forced retirement or resignation. Teachers with less than five years of service remaining may get limited relaxation. However, promotion will still require passing TET.
Due to these conditions, lakhs of in-service teachers have applied for CTET 2026. This has significantly increased competition and examination scale.
CTET Exam Schedule for February 2026
The CTET examination will be conducted over two days. On 7 February, Paper 2 will be held in the morning shift. The exam will run from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon. Paper 1 will be conducted in the afternoon from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm.
The same schedule will be followed on 8 February 2026. CBSE has instructed candidates to report at least two hours before the exam. For Paper 2, reporting time is 7:30 am. For Paper 1, candidates must report by 12:30 pm.
How to Download CTET Admit Card 2026
Once released, candidates can download the CTET Admit Card from ctet.nic.in. They will need their application number, date of birth, and captcha code. After logging in, candidates should check all details carefully. The admit card must be downloaded and printed for examination day use.
Candidates are advised to keep multiple printouts. Entry to the examination center will not be allowed without the admit card.
Exam City Slip Already Released
CBSE has already released the CTET exam city information. Candidates should note that the exam city slip is not the admit card. The admit card will contain the exact examination center name and address.
Candidates must rely only on the admit card for final exam details. Any discrepancy should be reported immediately to the authorities.
CTET Passing Marks and Qualification Criteria
To qualify the CTET examination, candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks. For the General category, at least 90 marks out of 150 are required. This equals 60 percent marks.
For SC and ST categories, the minimum qualifying marks are 82 out of 150. This equals 55 percent. Qualifying CTET does not guarantee a job but makes candidates eligible for teaching recruitment.
Teaching Eligibility After CTET Qualification
Candidates who qualify Paper 1 become eligible to apply for teaching posts from Class 1 to Class 5. Those who clear Paper 2 can apply for teaching positions from Class 6 to Class 8.
CTET qualified candidates can apply for teacher recruitment in central government schools. These include Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and Army Public Schools. CTET qualification is accepted across India.
CBSE Conducts CTET Twice Every Year
The Central Board of Secondary Education conducts CTET twice annually. One exam is held in July. The second exam takes place in December or early months of the next year.
CTET remains one of the most important eligibility exams for teaching aspirants. With rising competition and mandatory requirements, candidates are advised to prepare carefully and follow official updates closely.
Admit Card Release Expected Anytime
Candidates are advised to keep checking the official website regularly. The CTET Admit Card 2026 download link may go live anytime today or tomorrow. No separate notice may be issued before release.
