Government recruitment in India follows a year-round cycle, and 2026 is shaping up to be a significant year with several central and state-level exams already scheduled or tentatively placed on official annual planners. This article compiles all verified government exams expected or officially planned for 2026, excluding any unconfirmed or speculative timelines.
Only exams with announced 2026 dates, official annual planner timelines, or pending stages scheduled for 2026 are included.
Staff Selection Commission (SSC) – 2026 Exams
The SSC releases an annual calendar for examinations held throughout the year. While most 2026 notifications will be released in 2025, the actual exam cycles—prelims, mains, or skill tests—will continue into 2026.
Expected SSC Exams in 2026
Based on the SSC annual cycle, the following exams will be held in 2026:
- SSC CGL 2026 (Tier I & Tier II)
Exams expected mid to late 2026 as per SSC’s annual cycle. - SSC CHSL 2026 (Tier I & Tier II)
Typically conducted after CGL; likely in mid or late 2026. - SSC MTS 2026
Expected in the second half of 2026. - SSC JE 2026
Most engineering recruitment cycles are held annually, with written exams falling in 2026. - SSC Stenographer 2026
Skill tests or written exams anticipated in late 2026. - SSC CPO 2026 (SI in Delhi Police & CAPFs)
Written exams expected mid-2026.
These timelines follow SSC’s fixed exam cycle and are considered reliable for yearly planning.
Banking Exams in 2026 (IBPS & PSU Recruitment)
IBPS follows a predictable recruitment cycle, and several exams will conclude or begin in 2026.
IBPS Exams Confirmed / Expected for 2026
- IBPS Clerk 2025–26 Cycle – Mains Exam
Date: February 1, 2026
Prelims will be completed in 2025, but the mains exam officially falls in 2026. - IBPS PO 2026 Cycle
Prelims and mains for the 2026 recruitment cycle are expected between October–December 2026 based on IBPS’s annual pattern. - IBPS RRB 2026 Cycle
Officer Scale-I and Office Assistant exams expected mid-2026. - Specialist Officer (SO) 2026 Cycle
Main examinations generally fall in early to mid-2026 depending on notification release.
These exams follow IBPS’s established schedule, which repeats annually.
Railway Recruitment Exams (RRB) – 2026
The Indian Railways conducts large-scale recruitment exams every year across various categories. While the official RRB 2026 schedule is pending, multiple exams occur on fixed annual cycles.
Expected Railway Exams in 2026
- RRB NTPC 2026 Cycle
Notification expected in early 2026 with exams later in the year. - RRB Group D 2026
Usually held annually; written exams likely in 2026. - RRB ALP & Technician 2026
Ongoing cycles typically roll into the next year; exams expected throughout 2026. - RRB JE 2026
Engineering recruitment exams based on past patterns expected mid or late 2026.
While exact dates will be announced closer to release, these are regular annual exams.
State Public Service Commission Exams (2026)
TNPSC Annual Planner 2026 (Official)
Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission has released its 2026 Annual Planner, making TNPSC one of the few PSCs with publicly available 2026 exam schedules.
Confirmed TNPSC Exam Dates for 2026
- Combined Civil Services Exam – Group I
Notification: June 23, 2026
Prelims Exam: September 6, 2026 - Combined Technical Services (Non-Interview Posts)
Exam Date: August 3, 2026 - Group II & IIA Exams
Scheduled across the year as listed in the official planner.
TNPSC is currently the most transparent PSC with fixed 2026 exam timelines, making it highly useful for long-term planning.
Other Government Exams Expected in 2026
Several recurring national and state-level exams are expected in 2026, based on annual cycles:
- Police Constable & Head Constable Exams (State Police Departments) – Annual cycles run into 2026.
- Defence Recruitment Exams – CAPF, Assam Rifles, and state forces conduct exams every year, including 2026.
- Teacher Eligibility Tests (TET) & Government Teacher Recruitment – Held annually across states.
- Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) Exams – Many PSUs conduct written tests or recruit through GATE cycles that will continue into 2026.
- 12th-Pass Government Recruitment Exams – Including SSC CHSL, Police, Railways, and clerical roles.
These exams are conducted annually or biannually, making their 2026 sessions predictable even before notifications are released.
How Aspirants Should Plan for 2026 Government Exams
- Use 2026 planners (like TNPSC) to shape a month-by-month study plan.
- Track stages: Many exams, like IBPS Clerk, have parts of the selection process spilling into 2026.
- Begin early preparation for major exams expected mid-year (CGL, CHSL, RRB NTPC, PO).
- Follow only official notifications to avoid misinformation.
Conclusion
The year 2026 is set to host major government examinations across SSC, banking, railways, state PSCs, defence, and teaching sectors. With several dates already announced—especially for TNPSC and IBPS—aspirants can begin planning well in advance. As more exam bodies publish their calendars, this guide can be expanded into a complete 2026 master schedule.
