CTI / CITS Admission 2026: Online Form, Eligibility, AICET Date

CTI / CITS Admission 2026 Important Dates

The 2026-27 admission cycle follows a fixed schedule from application to the start of training. Candidates should treat the registration deadline seriously because the process moves directly into hall ticket issue, the AICET exam and counselling.

The admission schedule has been published as tentative, so candidates should keep checking the official portal and DGT sources for any update or revision.

What CTI / CITS Admission 2026 Is Actually For

CITS stands for Craft Instructor Training Scheme. It is the training route used to prepare instructor trainees for skill training institutes and related vocational training roles. Applicants often search for this as CTI admission, but the official admission documents use CITS and AICET.

The scheme is run under the Directorate General of Training, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Training is offered through National Skill Training Institutes and Institutes for Training of Trainers. On successful completion, the trainee is awarded the National Craft Instructor Certificate, which is recognized by NCVET.

The session 2026-27 is scheduled to begin on 17 August 2026. The prospectus also states that the programme follows an annual examination system and includes 1200 hours plus additional components such as mandatory on-the-job training or group project and an optional course component where applicable.

CTI / CITS 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The qualification rule is trade-specific, but the broad admission requirement is clearly stated in the official prospectus. A candidate must have a relevant NTC, NAC, Diploma or Degree from a recognized Board of Technical Education, University or equivalent authority.

• SCVT candidates are also eligible.
• CoE candidates are not eligible.
• Appearing candidates for Degree, Diploma, NTC or NAC are allowed provisional admission subject to later submission of required proof and fulfilment of eligibility norms.
• Detailed entry qualification differs by trade, so candidates must check the trade list before applying.

This matters because CITS admission is not based on one common generic qualification. The accepted qualification depends on the trade chosen. In some trades, a Diploma or Degree route is accepted; in others, candidates with NTC or NAC in the relevant trade can also apply.

Age Limit, Reservation and Minimum Qualifying Marks

The age rule is simple. The minimum age is 18 years as on the first day of the academic session or as otherwise specified in the syllabus. There is no upper age limit.

Reservation in admission follows the Central Government reservation policy. Seat allotment during counselling is based on three things taken together: AICET merit, the order of choices filled by the candidate and reservation norms.

The prospectus also specifies minimum qualifying marks for AICET 2026.

Qualifying AICET is necessary for admission. Only candidates who appear and qualify in AICET 2026 on merit are eligible for admission in NSTIs and IToTs.

AICET 2026 Exam Pattern and Mode

AICET 2026 is the entrance test for CITS admission. The prospectus describes it as an online entrance examination conducted in CBT mode, with the test being held at exam centres on 31 May 2026.

The official exam pattern is as follows:

• Duration: 2 hours
• Mode: Online CBT
• Question type: Objective
• Trade portion: 75% questions based on the CTS syllabus relevant to the trade applied for
• Aptitude portion: 25% objective questions on logical, numeric and reasoning aptitude

This means candidates should prepare both the trade-specific technical portion and the aptitude section. The syllabus reference for the trade can be checked through the DGT CITS course pages before filling the form.

Application Fee, Counselling Fee and Course Fee

The entrance examination fee for AICET 2026 is separate from the counselling fee and from the institute fee after admission. Candidates should not mix these up.

The prospectus also gives NSTI fee details. For individual candidates, the annual fee in NSTIs is Rs. 2420 for General and Rs. 920 for SC, ST, PH and EWS categories. For government sponsored candidates, the annual fee shown is Rs. 570. The fee structure for State Government and Private IToT institutes is decided by the respective bodies, so candidates must check directly with the concerned institute before final admission.

Payment of the entrance examination fee can be done online using net banking, credit card, debit card, wallet or UPI.

How to Apply Online for CTI / CITS Admission 2026

The application is to be submitted online through the official admission system. The safest approach is to start from the official DGT or NIMI pages and then move to the registration link.

1. Open the official admission portal and register with your basic details.
2. Select the CITS trade carefully after checking the trade-wise entry qualification.
3. Fill personal, academic and category details exactly as per valid records.
4. Choose your preferred AICET exam centre options in the form.
5. Pay the AICET fee online using the permitted payment method.
6. Submit the application before 10 May 2026, 6:00 PM.
7. Download or save the submitted application details for later counselling and verification use.

You can access the process through nimionlineadmission.in. Candidates should also read the prospectus before making the final trade selection because eligibility changes from one trade to another.

Hall Ticket, Mock Test, Exam Centres and Result

The hall ticket download window runs from 21 May 2026 to 31 May 2026. During the same period, candidates can also take the online mock test made available on the portal. This mock test is meant to help candidates understand how to appear for the entrance examination in CBT format.

The prospectus allows candidates to select exam centre preferences in the application form. However, exam centres may change depending on how many candidates opt for a particular centre. If the required number of candidates is not available for a selected centre, an alternate available centre may be assigned.

The AICET exam will be conducted on 31 May 2026, and the result is scheduled to be published on 10 June 2026 on the admission website.

Counselling and Document Verification Schedule

After the AICET result, admission moves through multiple online counselling and verification stages. Missing one stage can affect seat allotment, so candidates should keep the full schedule ready.

The spot round mentioned in the schedule is still part of the official admission process. It should not be confused with direct admission outside AICET merit.

Seat Allotment Rules, Institutes and Final Admission

The prospectus clearly states that seat allotment is finalized during counselling by the respective institute based on merit in AICET 2026, the choices submitted by the candidate and reservation norms. If a candidate's preferred seat is not vacant, a seat may be offered according to available choice and reservation policy.

Before applying, candidates should check the seat matrix and the list of institutes offering the relevant trade. CITS training is offered through NSTIs and IToTs, and the available seats vary trade-wise and institute-wise.

Appearing candidates who seek provisional admission must submit the final marks card and provisional certificate within the prescribed time after receiving the result. If the eligibility conditions are not ultimately met or the required documents are not produced, provisional admission can be cancelled.

The academic session is scheduled to commence on 17 August 2026. On successful completion of the course, trainees are awarded the National Craft Instructor Certificate.

Official Links

• DGT CITS Page
• CITS 2026-27 Tentative Admission Schedule PDF
• NIMI Official Website
• DGT CITS Courses
• DGT Central Institutes List
• DGT List of IToT
• DGT Order on Provisional Admission for Appearing Candidates