Updated January 17th 2026, 17:01 IST

Patna: In a significant development, the Maithili language is likely to be included in the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET).
This move, which addresses a decades-old demand from the people of the Mithilanchal region, was recently confirmed by Gopal Ji Thakur, the BJP Member of Parliament from Darbhanga.
The Maithili language is expected to provide a massive boost to the youth of Bihar and Maithili-speaking populations worldwide.
According to reports, the proposal has already been cleared at the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) level.
MP Gopal Ji Thakur emphasised that this decision will allow candidates to take the exam in their mother tongue, potentially improving comprehension and performance, especially for those from rural backgrounds.
The upcoming CBSE CTET is scheduled for February 8, 2026. The examination remains the primary gateway for aspiring teachers in central government schools.
Currently, the exam is conducted in 20 regional languages, including Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, and Nepali.
The addition of Maithili would mark a historic expansion of this linguistic diversity.
The exam consists of two papers, each containing 150 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with no negative marking:
Paper I: For candidates aiming to teach Classes I–V.
Paper II: For candidates aiming to teach Classes VI–VIII.
Both papers test candidates on Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I and II, and subject-specific knowledge such as Mathematics, Environmental Studies, or Social Science.
The CBSE is expected to release the CTET 2026 Admit Cards shortly on the official portal, ctet.nic.in. To download the hall ticket, candidates should:
Authorities have issued strict guidelines for the February 8 exam. Candidates must carry their Admit Card along with a government-issued photo ID (such as a PAN card or Voter ID).
Strict prohibitions are in place regarding electronic devices; items like smartphones, Bluetooth earphones, and pagers are completely banned.
The exam centres will not provide storage facilities, and candidates are advised to leave such items at home to avoid risk.
Published January 17th 2026, 16:53 IST