CBSE Delays CTET 2026 Exam and Gives Eligible Candidates Another Chance to Apply
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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed the 22nd edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET), which was scheduled for September 2026, and has reopened the application window for eligible candidates who missed the earlier registration period.
Under the latest arrangement, candidates who did not submit an application during the original registration period can apply again from August 25 through September 1, 2026. Candidates who have already successfully submitted their CTET applications do not need to register again.
The revised CTET exam date has not yet been announced. CBSE has said the new date for the 22nd edition will be announced after the reopened application portal closes.
Why has CBSE postponed the CTET exam?
The decision is linked to the Supreme Court’s directions concerning the Teacher Eligibility Test requirement for teachers.
CBSE’s latest decision follows the Supreme Court’s May 2026 judgment, which directed that TET should be conducted periodically, preferably twice a year with an interval of roughly six months, so eligible teachers have a reasonable opportunity to obtain the required qualification.
The Supreme Court had earlier held that TET is a minimum qualification under Section 23 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, for teachers covered by the statutory framework. In its May 29, 2026 judgment, the court extended the deadline for certain in-service teachers to qualify to August 31, 2028.
The reopening of the CTET application portal gives eligible candidates who could not register earlier another opportunity to appear for the examination.
CTET 2026 application window: What has changed?
The original application process for the September 2026 CTET session had already been completed. CBSE had issued the examination notice on May 8, with applications accepted from May 11 to June 10, 2026.
The board has now reopened the portal for a limited period:
- Application window opens: August 25, 2026
- Last date to apply: September 1, 2026
- Who can apply: Eligible candidates who did not apply during the earlier window
- Existing applicants: No need to submit a fresh application
- Revised CTET exam date: Yet to be announced
Candidates who completed the earlier application process should therefore avoid submitting another application simply because the portal has reopened.
When will the new CTET exam date be announced?
CBSE has not announced a revised date as of August 25.
The board’s latest notice indicates that the revised date for the 22nd edition of CTET will be announced after the reopened application process ends. That means candidates should not rely on the previously scheduled examination date while making travel or other arrangements.
Education news reports have identified the earlier examination schedule as September 6, 2026, but that date has now been postponed.
For the latest information on the revised schedule, admit cards, and other examination instructions, candidates should rely on the official CTET website rather than unofficial dates circulating online.
What should candidates do now?
Candidates who are eligible but missed the first application period should complete their registration before the September 1 deadline.
Those who have already registered should retain their existing application details and wait for CBSE’s revised examination schedule. There is no requirement to apply again, according to the board’s latest public notice.
The reopened window is particularly relevant for candidates who became eligible or were unable to complete the earlier registration process but still wish to appear for the September 2026 session.
The next major update will be CBSE’s announcement of the revised CTET examination date after the application portal closes.
