2026 Government Exam Calendar in India – SSC, UPSC, Banking & Railway Exam Dates (Tentative / Official)
The 2026 Government Exam Calendar includes major recruitment exams conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), SBI, and Railway recruitment boards under Indian Railways.
Candidates preparing for SSC, Banking, Railway, and UPSC exams in 2026 can check the tentative and officially announced dates below. Some exam dates are expected (tentative) and will be confirmed through official notifications. Aspirants are advised to regularly visit the official websites for final updates.
1. SSC Exam Calendar 2026
The Staff Selection Commission conducts various national-level recruitment exams including CGL, CHSL, MTS, JE, CPO, and Stenographer.
| Exam Name | Notification | Last Date to Apply | Exam Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSC CGL 2026 | March 2026 | April 2026 | May–June 2026 |
| SSC CHSL 2026 | April 2026 | May 2026 | July–Sept 2026 |
| SSC MTS & Havaldar 2026 | June 2026 | July 2026 | Sept–Nov 2026 |
| SSC JE 2026 | March/April 2026 | April 2026 | May–June 2026 |
| SSC Stenographer 2026 | April 2026 | May 2026 | Aug–Sept 2026 |
| SSC CPO (SI) 2026 | June 2026 | July 2026 | Sept–Oct 2026 |
SSC Selection Process
Most SSC exams follow:
Tier-I → Tier-II → Skill/Physical Test → Document Verification → Final Merit List
⏳ Final joining may take 6–12 months depending on post and department.
2. Railway Exam Calendar 2026 (RRB / RRC)
Railway recruitments are conducted through various Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB) and Railway Recruitment Cells (RRC).
| Recruitment | Apply Dates | Exam Dates |
|---|---|---|
| RRB NTPC (Graduate) | Oct–Nov 2025 | 16–27 March 2026 (CBT-I) |
| Railway Apprentice 2026 | Feb–March 2026 | Selection Later in 2026 |
| RRB Group D 2026 | Expected Oct 2026 | Dec 2026 – Jan 2027 |
Railway Selection Stages
CBT-I → CBT-II → Skill Test (if applicable) → Document Verification → Medical Examination
3. Banking Exam Calendar 2026
Banking exams are conducted by IBPS and SBI for recruitment of Probationary Officers (PO), Clerks, and RRB Officers.
| Bank Exam | Notification | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
| SBI PO 2026 | Jan–Feb 2026 | March–May 2026 (Expected) |
| SBI Clerk 2026 | July–Aug 2026 | Sept–Nov 2026 (Expected) |
| IBPS PO Prelims | June–July 2026 | 22–23 August 2026 |
| IBPS PO Mains | — | 4 October 2026 |
| IBPS Clerk Prelims | — | 10–11 October 2026 |
| IBPS RRB Exams | — | Nov–Dec 2026 |
Banking Selection Process
Prelims → Mains → Interview (PO only) → Final Allotment → Joining
Joining generally occurs within 4–8 months after final results.
4. UPSC & Defence Exam Calendar 2026
UPSC conducts prestigious exams such as Civil Services (IAS, IPS, IFS), NDA, CDS, and CAPF.
| Exam | Notification | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
| UPSC CSE (IAS/IPS/IFS) Prelims | 14 Jan 2026 | 24 May 2026 |
| UPSC CSE Mains | — | 21 August 2026 |
| NDA (I) 2026 | 10 Dec 2025 | 12 April 2026 |
| CDS (I) 2026 | 14 Jan 2026 | 24 May 2026 |
| CAPF ACs 2026 | 18 Feb 2026 | 19 July 2026 |
UPSC Selection Timeline
Prelims → Mains → Interview → Final Merit → Service Allocation
Final joining process may extend into 2027 depending on service.
Government Job Joining Timeline (2026–27)
Most government jobs follow this sequence:
Exam → Result → Skill/Physical Test → Document Verification → Final Merit → Joining
✔ SSC CGL Example:
Tier-I (June 2026) → Tier-II (Oct 2026) → Final Result → Joining Late 2026 / Early 2027
✔ IBPS PO Example:
Mains (Oct 2026) → Interview → Final Allotment → Joining Late 2026
Candidates should plan preparation keeping the full recruitment cycle in mind.
Quick Summary – Important 2026 Exam Dates
- SSC CGL 2026: May–June 2026
- RRB NTPC CBT-I: 16–27 March 2026
- SBI PO 2026: March–May 2026 (Expected)
- IBPS PO Prelims: 22–23 August 2026
- IBPS Clerk Prelims: 10–11 October 2026
- RRB Group D 2026: Dec 2026 – Jan 2027
Preparation Advice for 2026 Aspirants
- Track official notification release dates carefully.
- Apply early to avoid last-minute server issues.
- Understand full exam cycle (Prelims → Mains → DV → Joining).
- Start preparation at least 6–8 months before the exam date.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When will SSC CGL 2026 notification be released?
The notification is expected in March 2026 as per the tentative calendar.
Q2. Are these 2026 exam dates official?
Some dates are officially announced, while others are tentative. Candidates must verify from official websites.
Q3. How long does government job joining take after exams?
Joining can take 3 to 12 months depending on department and recruitment process.
Q4. When will UPSC Prelims 2026 be conducted?
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2026 is scheduled for 24 May 2026.
Final Note
The 2026 Government Exam Calendar helps aspirants plan preparation strategically. Since some dates are tentative, always confirm through official notifications before applying.
Stay updated regularly for the latest changes in SSC, Railway, Banking, and UPSC exam schedules.
