CTET 2026 Paper 2 Cancelled at Two Examination Centres in Bihar
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially announced that the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026 Paper 2 could not be conducted at two specific examination centres located in Vaishali (Hajipur), Bihar. This disruption was attributed to unavoidable circumstances, as confirmed by the board in a recent post on the social media platform X.
Details of the Affected Centres and Re-examination Plan
Out of a total of 1,803 examination centres established across India for the CTET 2026, Paper 2 was successfully administered at 1,801 centres. However, the examination was unable to proceed at the following two centres in Vaishali:
- 125016: St. John’s Academy, Basmati Nagar
- 125014: Lakshya International Academy
In response to this situation, CBSE has informed all stakeholders that a re-examination for candidates originally allotted to these two centres will be organized within the next 15 days. The board has committed to sharing the revised examination schedule separately with the affected candidates. CBSE has also expressed sincere regret for any inconvenience caused to the examinees due to this unforeseen disruption.
Massive Nationwide Participation in CTET 2026
The CTET 2026 is being conducted on February 7 and 8 in the traditional pen and paper mode across 132 cities throughout India. This year's edition has witnessed an overwhelming response, with a staggering 25,30,581 candidates registering for the examination. Notably, more than 7.6 lakh applications were submitted in the final 48 hours leading up to the closure of the registration window on December 18.
Originally scheduled as a single-day exam on February 8, the test was subsequently extended to two days after registrations far exceeded initial expectations, highlighting the exam's significant demand.
Examination Structure and Strict Reporting Schedule
The CTET 2026 is being held in two distinct shifts, each with a rigorous reporting schedule to ensure smooth administration:
- Paper 1: Designed for candidates aspiring to teach Classes 1 to 5, this paper was conducted from 9:30 am to 12 noon. The reporting time for candidates was set at 7:30 am, with entry gates closing sharply at 9:30 am.
- Paper 2: Intended for those aiming to teach Classes 6 to 8, this paper took place from 2:30 pm to 5 pm. Candidates were required to report by 12:30 pm, and gates were closed at 2:30 pm.
Each paper comprises 150 multiple-choice questions, each carrying one mark. The total duration of the exam is two-and-a-half hours, and importantly, there is no negative marking system in place. A significant portion of the question paper is dedicated to Child Development and Pedagogy, alongside subject knowledge and reading comprehension sections, which collectively assess teaching aptitude and conceptual clarity, as outlined in the detailed official notification.
Special Provisions for Candidates with Disabilities
In preparation for the examination, CBSE issued comprehensive guidelines for candidates covered under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016. Eligible candidates are permitted to avail facilities such as a scribe and compensatory time to ensure equitable participation.
Candidates seeking these accommodations must present their disability certificate in the prescribed format along with a valid Unique Disability ID (UDID) card at the examination centre. Those who qualify are granted compensatory time of not less than 50 minutes per hour of examination. Additionally, large-font question papers are made available for visually impaired candidates, as detailed in an earlier notice published on the official website.
Admit Card Release and Current Status
CBSE had previously released the CTET 2026 admit cards on February 5. Candidates were instructed to download their hall tickets exclusively from the official websites: ctet.nic.in or cbse.gov.in. While the examination has proceeded smoothly at the vast majority of centres nationwide, candidates assigned to the two affected centres in Vaishali must now await fresh dates for their re-examination. CBSE has assured that the revised schedule will be communicated directly to them in a timely manner.
