Patna: The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) for September 2026 has brought a major change for candidates from the Mithila region. For the first time, Maithili has been included as an official exam language. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has given Maithili the language code 25 in its latest notification. This means candidates can now choose Maithili as their medium while appearing in the national-level teaching eligibility exam.
This decision has come after a long-standing demand from students, teachers and language activists in the Mithila region. Many had argued that allowing the exam in the mother tongue would help candidates understand questions better and perform more confidently. Education experts also believe that this step will not only support students academically but also promote Maithili as an important regional language in India’s education system.
The application process for CTET September 2026 has already started from May 11, 2026. Candidates can apply online till June 10, 2026, up to 11:59 pm. The examination fee also has to be paid within the same deadline. CBSE has announced that the exam will be conducted on September 6 which falls on a Sunday. However, if the number of applicants is very high, an additional exam date of September 5 may also be used.
According to the schedule, the exam will be held in two shifts. Paper-II, meant for teaching Classes 6 to 8, will take place in the morning session from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon. Paper-I, for Classes 1 to 5, will be conducted in the afternoon from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Officials say the arrangement is designed to manage candidates smoothly and ensure proper examination conduct across centres.
In Mithila, the inclusion of Maithili has been widely welcomed as a positive and long-awaited step. Many believe that students will now feel more comfortable and less pressured during the exam. At the same time, there is hope that this decision will encourage greater respect and recognition for regional languages in national competitive examinations in the future.
