The year 2026 will be a landmark year for students, college graduates, and job seekers across India due to the large number of competitive exams scheduled across sectors including UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, Defence, Teaching, Medical, Engineering, and other government positions. Keeping track of dates and being well-prepared will be essential if you want to succeed and submit your applications to the right place at the right time.
In 2026, you can expect major exams such as the UPSC Civil Services Exam, National Defence Academy, Combined Defence Services Exam, and Indian Forest Service. Additionally, there will be sector-specific opportunities through SSC, Banking, Railways, and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). Many state and local level examinations, as well as educational entrance tests for teachers, medical, engineering, law, management, and professional courses, will also be available. Planning ahead is crucial since the schedule of examination dates has been publicly released, allowing you to allocate your time effectively to qualify for these competitive exams.
This article provides a comprehensive schedule of all competitive exams in India in 2026, listing the key details, timelines, and categories you should consider while preparing your study plan. Whether you aim for Central Government jobs, State-level positions, or professional and post-secondary education programs, this complete listing includes everything you need to keep track of major examinations. Stay focused, prepare thoroughly, and plan strategically to launch your career successfully in 2026!
1. UPSC & Central Government Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| UPSC Civil Services (IAS/IPS/IFS) |
Annual |
Prelims: 24 May 2026 (Confirmed), Mains: Aug 2026 (Expected) |
| Indian Forest Service (IFoS) |
Annual |
With UPSC CSE (Expected) |
| NDA & NA (I) |
Biannual |
12 April 2026 (Confirmed) |
| CDS (I) |
Biannual |
12 April 2026 (Confirmed) |
| CAPF Assistant Commandant |
Annual |
July 2026 (Expected) |
| Engineering Services (ESE) |
Annual |
Feb 2026 (Expected) |
| Combined Medical Services (CMS) |
Annual |
July 2026 (Expected) |
| Geo-Scientist Exam |
Annual |
Feb 2026 (Expected) |
2. SSC (Staff Selection Commission) Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| SSC CGL |
Annual |
May – June 2026 |
| SSC CHSL |
Annual |
July – Sept 2026 |
| SSC GD Constable |
Annual |
Jan – Feb 2026 |
| SSC MTS & Havaldar |
Annual |
Sept – Nov 2026 |
| SSC JE |
Annual |
May – June 2026 |
| SSC CPO (SI) |
Annual |
Oct 2026 |
| SSC Stenographer |
Annual |
Nov 2026 |
| SSC Selection Post |
Annual |
2026 (Region-wise) |
3. Banking & Insurance Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| SBI PO |
Annual |
March 2026 |
| SBI Clerk |
Annual |
Feb 2026 |
| IBPS PO |
Annual |
Oct 2026 |
| IBPS Clerk |
Annual |
Aug 2026 |
| IBPS RRB (PO/Clerk) |
Annual |
July 2026 |
| RBI Grade B |
Annual |
June 2026 |
| RBI Assistant |
Annual |
2026 |
| NABARD Grade A/B |
Annual |
July 2026 |
| LIC AAO / ADO |
Annual |
Mid-2026 |
4. Engineering & Technical Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| JEE Main (Session-1) |
Annual |
Jan 2026 (Confirmed) |
| JEE Main (Session-2) |
Annual |
April 2026 |
| JEE Advanced |
Annual |
May / June 2026 |
| BITSAT |
Annual |
May 2026 |
| VITEEE |
Annual |
April 2026 |
| COMEDK |
Annual |
May 2026 |
| GATE |
Annual |
Feb 2026 |
| ISRO / DRDO Scientist |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
5. Medical & Health Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| NEET UG |
Annual |
May 2026 |
| NEET PG |
Annual |
Jan 2026 |
| INI-CET |
Biannual |
May & Nov 2026 |
| FMGE |
Biannual |
Jan 2026 |
| AIIMS Nursing |
Annual |
June 2026 |
| Paramedical Exams |
Annual |
Mid-2026 |
| B.Sc Nursing Entrance |
Annual |
May – June 2026 |
| ANM / GNM Exams |
State-wise |
2026 |
| Lab Technician Exams |
Annual |
2026 |
| ESIC Paramedical |
Vacancy-based |
Mid-2026 |
| Public Health Officer |
State-wise |
2026 |
6. University, Law & Management Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| CUET UG |
Annual |
May – June 2026 |
| CUET PG |
Annual |
March 2026 |
| CLAT (UG/PG) |
Annual |
Jan 2026 |
| AILET |
Annual |
Jan 2026 |
| CAT |
Annual |
Nov 2026 |
| XAT |
Annual |
Jan 2026 |
| CMAT / MAT |
Annual |
2026 |
| UGC NET |
Biannual |
June & Dec 2026 |
| CSIR NET |
Biannual |
June & Dec 2026 |
| Law Officer (PSU/Banks) |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
7. Teaching & Education Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| CTET |
Biannual |
July / Dec 2026 |
| State TETs (UPTET, JTET, etc.) |
Annual |
Mid-2026 |
| KVS / NVS |
Annual |
Feb – April 2026 |
| DSSSB |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| Super TET |
Annual |
2026 |
8. Defence, Police & Security Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| AFCAT |
Biannual |
Feb & Aug 2026 |
| Army Agniveer |
Annual |
March – April 2026 |
| Navy Agniveer |
Annual |
April – June 2026 |
| Airforce Agniveer |
Annual |
May – June 2026 |
| State Police SI / Constable |
Annual |
2026 |
| IB ACIO |
Vacancy-based |
Jan – Mar 2026 |
| IB JIO |
Vacancy-based |
Mid-2026 |
| CBI Sub-Inspector |
Annual |
Through SSC CGL |
| NIA Exams |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| Enforcement Directorate |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
9. Railway, PSU & Other Govt Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| RRB NTPC |
Annual |
Mid-2026 |
| RRB Group D |
Annual |
Late 2026 |
| RRB JE / ALP |
Annual |
2026 |
| EPFO EO/AO |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| ESIC Exams |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| FCI |
Annual |
2026 |
| Post Office Exams |
State-wise |
2026 |
10. Judiciary, Research & Special Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| Judiciary PCS (Civil Judge) |
State-wise |
2026 |
| APO |
State-wise |
2026 |
| AIBE (Bar Exam) |
Biannual |
2026 |
| ICMR JRF |
Annual |
July 2026 |
| DBT BET |
Annual |
Aug 2026 |
| INSPIRE Scholarship |
Annual |
Sept 2026 |
| Rajiv Gandhi Fellowship |
Annual |
2026 |
| Junior Research Fellowship (UGC) |
Biannual |
NET Based |
11. Financial, Regulatory & Authority Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| SEBI Grade A |
Annual |
July – Aug 2026 |
| SEBI Grade B |
Annual |
Sept 2026 |
| IRDAI Assistant Manager |
Annual |
Oct 2026 |
| PFRDA Assistant Manager |
Annual |
June 2026 |
| SIDBI Grade A/B |
Annual |
Nov 2026 |
| EXIM Bank Officer |
Annual |
Mid-2026 |
| CAG Auditor |
Through SSC |
2026 |
| Assistant Audit Officer |
Through SSC |
2026 |
12. Architecture, Planning & Design Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| NATA |
Annual |
April – July 2026 |
| CEED |
Annual |
Jan 2026 |
| UCEED |
Annual |
Jan 2026 |
| SPA Entrance |
Annual |
2026 |
13. Agriculture, Rural Development & State Agriculture Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| ICAR AIEEA |
Annual |
June 2026 |
| Agriculture Officer |
State-wise |
2026 |
| NABARD Development Assistant |
Annual |
2026 |
| FCI Technical |
Annual |
2026 |
| Krishi Vikas Officer |
State-wise |
2026 |
| Soil Conservation Officer |
State-wise |
2026 |
| Horticulture Officer |
State-wise |
2026 |
| Fisheries Officer |
State-wise |
2026 |
14. Technical, Trade & Skill-Based Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| ITI Instructor |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| Apprentice (PSU/Private) |
Annual |
2026 |
| Technician Grade Exams |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| Power Grid / NTPC Exams |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| DRDO CEPTAM |
Annual |
Sept 2026 |
| ISRO Technician / Assistant |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| BARC OCES |
Annual |
April 2026 |
| CSIR Technical Assistant |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
15. School-Level & Junior Competitive Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| Navodaya Class 6 |
Annual |
Jan 2026 |
| Navodaya Class 9 |
Annual |
Feb 2026 |
| Sainik School Entrance |
Annual |
Jan 2026 |
| Military School Entrance |
Annual |
Dec 2025 – Jan 2026 |
| Olympiads (SOF, NSO, IMO) |
Annual |
2026 |
16. Sports, Cultural & Special Category Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| Sports Quota Recruitment |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| NCC Special Entry |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| Cultural Talent Scholarship |
Annual |
2026 |
| Physical Education Teacher (PET) |
State-wise |
2026 |
| Sports Authority of India (SAI) |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| Coach Selection Exams |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
17. Tourism, Hospitality & Travel Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| IHM NCHM JEE |
Annual |
May 2026 |
| Tourism Officer (State) |
State-wise |
2026 |
| Hotel Management Entrance |
Annual |
2026 |
| Airport Hospitality Staff |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
18. Postal, Communication & Telecom Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| India Post GDS |
Annual |
Jan – Feb 2026 |
| India Post PA/SA |
Annual |
Mid 2026 |
| BSNL JTO |
Annual |
July 2026 |
| BSNL TTA |
Annual |
2026 |
19. Census, Statistics & Data Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| Statistical Investigator (SSC) |
Annual |
2026 |
| Junior Statistical Officer |
Annual |
2026 |
| Census Supervisor |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| Data Entry Operator (DEO) |
Annual |
2026 |
20. Labour, Factory & Industrial Safety Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| Labour Enforcement Officer |
State-wise |
2026 |
| Factory Inspector |
State-wise |
2026 |
| Industrial Safety Officer |
State-wise |
2026 |
| ESI / Labour Welfare Officer |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
21. Environmental, Forestry & Climate Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| Forest Guard |
State-wise |
2026 |
| Wildlife Inspector |
State-wise |
2026 |
| Environment Officer |
State-wise |
2026 |
| Climate Research Assistant |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
22. Library, Archive & Information Science Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| Librarian (UGC / State) |
Annual |
2026 |
| Assistant Librarian |
State-wise |
2026 |
| Archivist |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| Documentation Officer |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
23. Psychology, Social Science & Research Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| Psychologist (Govt) |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| Social Welfare Officer |
State-wise |
2026 |
| Research Assistant |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| Field Investigator |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| Counsellor (Govt Institutions) |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| Child Welfare Officer |
State-wise |
2026 |
| Rehabilitation Officer |
State-wise |
2026 |
24. Culture, Arts & Language Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| Fine Arts Entrance (Govt Colleges) |
Annual |
2026 |
| Language Officer / Translator |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| Sahitya Akademi Exams |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| Cultural Scholarship Tests |
Annual |
2026 |
25. IT, Computer & Cyber Security Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| NIC Scientist / Technical Assistant |
Annual |
2026 |
| Cyber Security Officer (Govt) |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| Programmer Analyst (PSU) |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| Software Trainee (Govt Units) |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
26. Scholarship, Fellowship & Talent Search Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| National Scholarship Test |
Annual |
2026 |
| State Merit Scholarship Exam |
State-wise |
2026 |
| National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) |
Annual |
2026 |
| Talent Search Examination (TSE) |
Annual |
2026 |
| DST INSPIRE |
Annual |
Sept 2026 |
27. Science Olympiads & Academic Competitions
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| National Science Olympiad (NSO) |
Annual |
2026 |
| International Maths Olympiad (IMO) |
Annual |
2026 |
| International English Olympiad (IEO) |
Annual |
2026 |
| National Biotechnology Olympiad |
Annual |
2026 |
28. Accounts, Audit & Taxation Exams
| Exam Name |
Exam Cycle |
Exam Date (2026) |
| Income Tax Inspector (SSC) |
Annual |
2026 |
| Tax Assistant (SSC) |
Annual |
2026 |
| GST Inspector |
Vacancy-based |
2026 |
| Commercial Tax Officer |
State-wise |
2026 |
| CA Foundation |
Biannual |
June & Dec 2026 |
| CA Intermediate |
Biannual |
May & Nov 2026 |
| CA Final |
Biannual |
May & Nov 2026 |
| CMA Foundation |
Biannual |
June & Dec 2026 |
| CS Foundation |
Biannual |
June & Dec 2026 |
| CS Executive |
Biannual |
June & Dec 2026 |
| CS Professional |
Biannual |
June & Dec 2026 |
