The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the CTET February Answer Key 2026 on its official portal, giving lakhs of teaching aspirants across India the opportunity to verify their responses and calculate their expected scores. The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) February 2026 was conducted on February 7–8, 2026, and the provisional answer key is now available as of March 12, 2026. Furthermore, since the last date to raise objections against the answer key is March 15, 2026, candidates must act swiftly to challenge any discrepancies they identify in their response sheets.
Exam Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Examination Name | Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) February 2026 |
| Exam Date | February 7–8, 2026 |
| Answer Key Released | March 12, 2026 |
| Objection Last Date | March 15, 2026 |
| Official Website | ctet.nic.in |
| Result Date | To Be Announced |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | November 27, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | December 18, 2025 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | December 18, 2025 |
| Correction Window | December 23–26, 2025 |
| Complete Form / Final Submit Date | December 27–30, 2025 |
| Exam City Details Available | January 23, 2026 |
| Admit Card Released | February 5, 2026 |
| CTET Exam Date | February 7–8, 2026 |
| Answer Key Released | March 12, 2026 |
| Objection Last Date | March 15, 2026 |
| Result Date | To Be Announced |
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
Notably, CBSE prescribes no age limit for candidates appearing in the CTET examination. All candidates who meet the academic and professional qualification requirements are therefore eligible to apply, regardless of their age.
Educational Qualification
CTET is conducted for two levels, each targeting a different class range and requiring a distinct set of qualifications:
| Level | Teaching Class Range | Required Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Level-1 (Paper-I) | Class 1 to Class 5 (Primary Stage) | 12th Pass + D.Ed / JBT / B.El.Ed / B.Ed teaching qualification |
| Level-2 (Paper-II) | Class 6 to Class 8 (Upper Primary Stage) | Graduation Degree + B.Ed or B.El.Ed qualification |
Candidates wishing to teach both levels can appear in both Paper-I and Paper-II simultaneously by paying the applicable combined fee.
Nationality
All candidates must be citizens of India and fulfill any additional eligibility conditions as prescribed by CBSE in the official CTET February 2026 notification.
Application Fee
For Paper-I Only
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹1,000/- |
| SC / ST / PWD | ₹500/- |
For Both Paper-I and Paper-II
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹1,200/- |
| SC / ST / PWD | ₹600/- |
Candidates can complete fee payment through Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS, and Cash Card or Mobile Wallet.
Exam Pattern & Syllabus
Paper-I Exam Pattern (Class 1–5)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language-I (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Language-II (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Paper-II Exam Pattern (Class 6–8)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language-I (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Language-II (Compulsory) | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics & Science / Social Studies | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Importantly, there is no negative marking in the CTET examination. Candidates must consequently attempt all 150 questions in each paper to maximize their total score. The qualifying score is 60% (90 out of 150 marks) for General category and 55% (82.5 marks) for reserved categories.
How to Download CTET February Answer Key 2026
Since the answer key is currently available and the objection window closes on March 15, 2026, candidates must follow these steps without delay:
- Open any internet browser on your mobile device or computer.
- Visit the official CTET website at ctet.nic.in.
- Navigate to the “Answer Key / Candidate Response Sheet” section on the homepage.
- Locate and click on the link titled “CTET February 2026 Answer Key”.
- Enter your Application Number / Roll Number and Date of Birth / Password to log in.
- Your provisional answer key along with your personal response sheet will appear on the screen.
- Cross-check each of your responses against the official answer key carefully.
- Download and save the answer key PDF to your device for offline reference.
- Optionally, print a copy to calculate your expected score manually before the official result.
How to Raise Objections Against CTET February Answer Key 2026
Notably, CBSE allows candidates to challenge any answer they believe is incorrect within the specified objection window. Candidates must follow these steps to raise a valid objection:
- Log in to the official CTET portal using your Application Number and Date of Birth.
- Navigate to the “Answer Key Challenge / Objection” section.
- Select the specific question number against which you wish to raise an objection.
- Provide the correct answer along with supporting reference material or justification.
- Pay the applicable objection fee per question as specified by CBSE.
- Submit your objection before March 15, 2026, as the board will not accept challenges after this deadline.
Importantly, CBSE refunds the objection fee for each challenge that the board finds valid after expert review. The board subsequently releases a final answer key after considering all valid objections, and the result is prepared based exclusively on this final key.
Selection Process
The CTET selection process involves a single-stage evaluation. Candidates must clear the written examination to obtain the eligibility certificate.
Written Examination — This is a paper-based or computer-based objective test comprising 150 multiple-choice questions. Candidates appearing for both levels must sit two separate papers. Clearing the CTET examination grants candidates a validity certificate of lifetime, following CBSE’s revised guidelines, which consequently enables them to apply for Central Government school teaching positions across India.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Download Answer Key | Click Here |
| Answer Key Objection Notice | Click Here |
| Download Admit Card | Click Here |
| Check Exam City Details | Click Here |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official CTET Notification PDF | Click Here |
| CTET Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When was the CTET February Answer Key 2026 released?
CBSE released the CTET February Answer Key 2026 on March 12, 2026. Candidates can download it directly from the official portal at ctet.nic.in by logging in with their Application Number and Date of Birth. Furthermore, the objection window remains open only until March 15, 2026, so candidates must review their responses immediately.
What is the last date to raise objections against the CTET February 2026 Answer Key?
The last date to submit objections against the provisional answer key is March 15, 2026. Candidates must consequently log in to the official CTET portal and submit their challenges with valid supporting references before this deadline. CBSE will not entertain objections received after the stipulated date under any circumstances.
Is there negative marking in the CTET February 2026 examination?
No, the CTET examination does not carry any negative marking for incorrect answers. Candidates must therefore attempt all 150 questions in each paper to maximize their chances of qualifying, as unattempted questions result in zero marks without any penalty.
What is the qualifying score for the CTET February 2026 examination?
General category candidates must score a minimum of 60%, which means 90 out of 150 marks, to qualify the CTET. Reserved category candidates (SC, ST, OBC, PWD) need to score a minimum of 55%, equivalent to approximately 82.5 marks, to receive the eligibility certificate.
How long is the CTET certificate valid after clearing the examination?
The CTET eligibility certificate holds lifetime validity as per CBSE’s revised guidelines. Consequently, candidates who qualify the CTET February 2026 examination can use their certificate to apply for Central Government school teaching positions at any point in the future without needing to reappear.