CTET December 2026: Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Marathi Option and 45-Day Preparation Plan

The next Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET), the 22nd edition, will be held on 12 and 13 December 2026. CBSE announced this in a public notice dated 14 September 2026. This is not a new edition with its own application window. It is the "CTET September 2026" edition (first set for 6 September 2026), postponed. Applications ran from 11 May to 10 June 2026, and CBSE reopened the portal briefly from 25 August to 1 September 2026 for those who had missed it. Both windows are closed, and candidates who had already applied did not need to apply again. If you registered, you have about six weeks left. This guide covers the difference between Paper 1 and Paper 2, the official pattern and syllabus, how to use Marathi as Language I or II, a 45-day plan and tips for Child Development and Pedagogy, the section that decides most results.

CTET December 2026 at a glance

Which paper falls on which date will be shown on your city slip and admit card. Check the exact reporting time there too. The bulletin says candidates arriving after 9:30 am (morning) or 2:30 pm (evening) will not be let in.

Paper 1 vs Paper 2: which one should you take?

The bulletin says eligibility follows the NCTE rules, so check the NCTE regulations (ncte.gov.in) for your degree. You may sit both papers if you want to teach at both levels. Many B.Ed students do, because the CDP and language sections overlap.

CTET exam pattern

Paper 1 (Classes 1–5)

Paper 2 (Classes 6–8)

• Time: 2 hours 30 minutes for each paper
• Marking: 1 mark per question, no negative marking. Never leave a question blank.
• Question paper language: the main paper is bilingual (Hindi and English). The two language sections are in the languages you chose.

Marathi as Language I or Language II

CTET offers a long list of languages for the two language sections, and Marathi is one of them (code 11). You chose your languages in the application form, and Language II must be different from Language I.

• Language I tests your proficiency in the medium of instruction. If you studied in Marathi medium, or plan to teach in a Marathi-medium school, Marathi as Language I is usually the easier choice.
• Language II tests the elements of language, communication and comprehension. Many Maharashtra candidates take English as Language II. Others take Hindi.

Each language section has 15 comprehension questions and 15 language pedagogy questions. For Language I, the bulletin says two unseen passages: one prose or drama, one poem. For Language II, two unseen prose passages. The pedagogy half is the same for every language, so prepare it once and use it for both sections.

CTET syllabus by section

Child Development and Pedagogy (30 questions)

• Child development (15): development and its link with learning, principles of development, heredity and environment, socialisation, Piaget, Kohlberg and Vygotsky, child-centred and progressive education, intelligence and multiple intelligences, language and thought, gender as a social construct, individual differences, assessment for and of learning, CCE and school-based assessment, framing good questions
• Inclusive education (5): learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, learning difficulties and impairments, talented and specially abled learners
• Learning and pedagogy (10): how children think and learn, why children "fail", the child as a problem solver and "scientific investigator", children's errors as steps in learning, cognition and emotion, motivation, personal and environmental factors

Mathematics, Paper 1 (30)

• Content (15): geometry, shapes and spatial understanding, solids around us, numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, measurement, weight, time, volume, data handling, patterns, money
• Pedagogy (15): nature of maths and logical thinking, place of maths in the curriculum, language of maths, community maths, formal and informal evaluation, problems of teaching, error analysis, diagnostic and remedial teaching

Environmental Studies, Paper 1 (30)

• Content (15): family and friends (relationships, work and play, animals, plants), food, shelter, water, travel, things we make and do
• Pedagogy (15): concept and scope of EVS, integrated EVS, EVS and environmental education, learning principles, approaches to presenting concepts, activities, experiments, discussion, CCE, teaching aids, problems

Mathematics and Science, Paper 2 (60)

• Maths content (20): number system (knowing our numbers, playing with numbers, whole numbers, integers, fractions), algebra, ratio and proportion, geometry (2-D and 3-D shapes, symmetry, construction), mensuration, data handling
• Maths pedagogy (10): nature of maths, curriculum, language of maths, community maths, evaluation, remedial teaching
• Science content (20): food, materials, the world of the living, moving things, people and ideas, how things work (electric current, magnets), natural phenomena, natural resources
• Science pedagogy (10): nature of science, aims, approaches, method of science, innovation, teaching aids, evaluation, remedial teaching

Social Studies, Paper 2 (60)

• Content (40): History from earliest societies to India after independence, including 1857, women and reform, the caste system and the national movement; Geography (earth in the solar system, globe, air, water, human environment, resources, agriculture); Social and Political Life (diversity, government, local and state government, democracy, media, gender, the Constitution, Parliament, the judiciary, social justice)
• Pedagogy (20): concept and nature of social science, classroom processes, developing critical thinking, enquiry and evidence, problems of teaching, sources, projects, evaluation

Child Development and Pedagogy: tips that work

CDP is compulsory in both papers, and the pedagogy halves of the other sections use the same ideas. Getting CDP right lifts your score across the paper.

• Know the theorists in one line each. Piaget: four stages, schema, assimilation and accommodation. Vygotsky: zone of proximal development, scaffolding, social learning, private speech. Kohlberg: three levels and six stages of moral development. Expect to identify a stage or concept from a classroom example.
• Think like the NCF. CTET answers favour child-centred, activity-based learning. The best option usually lets the child explore, discuss or connect to daily life. Options with punishment, rote memorising, labelling or comparing children are usually wrong.
• Errors are useful. If a question asks what a child's mistake shows, the expected answer treats it as a window into the child's thinking, not as carelessness.
• Assessment for learning vs assessment of learning. The first happens during teaching to improve it (formative). The second judges learning at the end (summative). This pair is asked very often.
• Inclusion means changing the classroom, not separating the child. Pick options that adapt teaching for every learner.
• Read the question stem twice. Words like "most appropriate", "not", and "first step" change the answer.

A 45-day plan (late October to 12 December)

About 3 to 4 hours a day. The plan follows Paper 1. For Paper 2, swap Maths and EVS for your Maths-Science or Social Studies section.

CBSE shows the OMR answer sheets and answer keys after the exam during the challenge window. Questions released in those windows for earlier editions are good practice for the style, especially for pedagogy.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Studying content and skipping pedagogy. Half of the Maths, EVS and language sections is pedagogy.
• Leaving questions blank. There is no negative marking. Attempt all 150.
• Choosing answers from personal teaching habits. CTET expects answers that follow NCF and the RTE spirit.
• Spending too long on passages. Read the questions first, then the passage.
• Mixing up Language I and II booklets. Attempt only the languages you chose in the form.
• Arriving late. Entry closes at the start time. Reach early with your admit card and ID.

Frequently asked questions

When is CTET December 2026?

The 22nd edition of CTET will be held on 12 and 13 December 2026, as per the CBSE public notice dated 14 September 2026. Your exam city and date will be shown on the CTET portal 15 days before the exam.

Is there negative marking in CTET?

No. Each question carries one mark, and there is no negative marking.

Can I choose Marathi in CTET?

Yes. Marathi (code 11) is one of the options for Language I and Language II. Language II must be different from Language I.

What are the passing marks in CTET?

You need 60% or more, which is 90 out of 150, to pass CTET as per the NCTE notification. School managements may give concessions to reserved categories as per their reservation policy.

Can I apply for CTET December 2026 now?

No. The December exam is the postponed September 2026 edition. Its applications ran from 11 May to 10 June 2026, with a short reopened window from 25 August to 1 September 2026. No new window has been announced for December. CBSE holds CTET about twice a year, so watch ctet.nic.in for the next notice.

How long is the CTET certificate valid?

The CTET qualifying certificate is now valid for life for all categories.

Is CTET valid for teacher jobs in Maharashtra?

CTET is required for central government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, and is accepted by many private CBSE schools. For Maharashtra state government and aided schools, check the state's teacher recruitment rules, which also use the state TET (MAHATET).

Sources

• CBSE, CTET Information Bulletin (22nd edition, May 2026): ctet.nic.in (PDF)
• CBSE, public notice dated 14 September 2026 (exam on 12 and 13 December 2026): ctet.nic.in (PDF)
• Careers360, CBSE reopens CTET September 2026 applications, 25 August to 1 September 2026: careers360.com
• Free Press Journal, CTET 2026 application window reopens till 1 September: freepressjournal.in
• CTET official website: https://ctet.nic.in
• National Council for Teacher Education (eligibility rules): https://ncte.gov.in