AP Special TET 2026 Notification Released for In-service Teachers; Apply at cse.ap.gov.in

The Department of School Education, Government of Andhra Pradesh, released the official notification for the Special Teacher Eligibility Test (Special APTET) 2026 on August 24, 2026, on its official portal, cse.ap.gov.in. This crucial examination is exclusively for eligible in-service teachers across various institutions in Andhra Pradesh. In-service teachers can now apply online for the Special APTET 2026, with registrations commencing on August 25, 2026.

This Special TET is mandated to fulfill the eligibility condition for in-service teachers to continue in their current posts or to be considered for promotion, aligning with the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s orders in Civil Appeal No.1385/5025. The application window for the Special APTET 2026 will remain open until September 24, 2026, providing a month-long period for eligible candidates to complete their submissions and fee payments.

AP Special TET 2026: Key Dates and Application Details

The application process for the AP Special TET 2026 began on August 25, 2026, allowing in-service teachers to submit their applications and pay the requisite fee. The deadline for both application submission and fee payment is September 24, 2026. The application fee for the Special TET is Rs. 1000/- per subject or paper. Candidates opting for both Paper-I and Paper-II will need to pay Rs. 2000/-.

The examination itself is scheduled to be a Computer Based Test (CBT) and will run from October 11, 2026, to October 21, 2026. Hall tickets for the examination will be available for download from October 5, 2026, onwards. The Department of School Education has also provided a schedule for the release of the initial key, objections, final key, and final results, ensuring a transparent and timely process for all applicants.

How to Apply for AP Special TET 2026?

Eligible in-service teachers interested in applying for the AP Special TET 2026 can follow these steps:

1. Go to the official website of the Department of School Education, Government of Andhra Pradesh: cse.ap.gov.in.
2. Locate the link for the AP Special TET 2026 notification and information bulletin.
3. Read the detailed information bulletin carefully to understand eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and instructions.
4. Click on the ‘Apply Online’ link for AP Special TET 2026.
5. Complete the registration process by providing the required personal and professional details.
6. Pay the application fee of Rs. 1000/- per subject/paper through the provided payment gateway.
7. Review the filled application form for any errors and submit it before the deadline of September 24, 2026.
8. Download and print a copy of the submitted application form and payment receipt for future reference.

AP Special TET 2026: Eligibility and Exam Pattern

The AP Special TET 2026 is designed specifically for in-service teachers currently employed across Andhra Pradesh in Government, Local Body, APREIS, Welfare Residential Societies, AP Model Schools, and Private Aided institutions. Following NCTE guidelines, the Special TET certificate holds lifetime validity.

Exam Structure & Pattern

• Paper-I: Designed for teachers of Classes I to V.

• Paper-II: Designed for teachers of Classes VI to VIII.

• Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT).

• Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes per paper.

• Marking: No negative marking.

Daily Shift Schedule

AP Special TET 2026: Passing Criteria and Results

To qualify for the AP Special TET 2026, candidates must achieve specific minimum passing percentages based on their category. For candidates belonging to the Open Category (OC) and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), the pass percentage is set at 60%, which translates to 90 marks. Backward Classes (BC) candidates need to secure 50% or 75 marks to pass the examination. For Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), and Ex-Servicemen categories, the pass percentage is 40%, equivalent to 60 marks.

Following the examination schedule, the initial answer key will be released on October 24, 2026. Candidates will have the opportunity to submit objections to this initial key from October 25, 2026, to November 1, 2026. After reviewing the objections, the final key will be released on November 10, 2026, with the final results for the AP Special TET 2026 declared on November 15, 2026.

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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