CBSE Plans Two-Day Schedule for February CTET After Surge in Applications

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has revised the schedule for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) for the February 2026 session, announcing that the exam will now be held over two days, on February 7 and 8, to accommodate a record number of applicants. This marks a departure from the earlier plan to conduct the examination on a single day, February 8, following an unprecedented surge in registrations.

CBSE made the decision after total registrations crossed 2.7 million. By the original closing date of December 18, more than 25 lakh candidates had applied, including over 7.6 lakh applications received in the final 48 hours before the deadline. After the window closed, the board received a number of complaints from candidates who were unable to complete the submission process. A subsequent review identified around 1.61 lakh incomplete applications. CBSE then allowed those candidates to finalise their submissions up to December 30, further increasing the registration total.

In view of the expanded applicant pool, the board revised the examination plan to split the test across two days. Admit cards have already been issued, with each candidate’s designated date and slot clearly indicated on the hall ticket. Candidates are advised to check their issued admit cards for details of their specific examination date, paper and reporting time.

The CTET is a national eligibility test for aspirants seeking teaching positions in schools affiliated to the CBSE. The board has traditionally conducted the examination in a single session, but the present changes reflect the logistical demands posed by the larger candidate base.