Government Exam Calendar 2026-27 SSC IBPS RRB and UPSC Dates

Tracking exam dates across UPSC, SSC, IBPS, and Railway Recruitment Boards separately means checking half a dozen different websites, each with its own tentative-versus-confirmed date confusion. This page pulls together the verified 2026-27 calendar for India's major government exam bodies in one place, organized by category, so you can plan your preparation without missing an application window. Exam dates are frequently revised by conducting bodies — always confirm the final date on the official website before your exam, since this calendar reflects the schedule as of the date below.

UPSC Exam Calendar 2026

Note that CDS (I) and Civil Services Prelims fall on different dates this cycle (12 April and 24 May respectively) — in some previous years these have clashed on the same day, so double-check if you're planning to attempt both. UPSC typically releases the CSE notification in mid-January, with mains results and interviews following roughly 2-3 months after the mains exam concludes.

IBPS Exam Calendar 2026-27

IBPS generally releases admit cards 7-10 days before each exam, downloadable by logging into the IBPS website with your registration number/roll number and password or date of birth. You can apply to multiple IBPS exams (PO, Clerk, SO, RRB) in the same cycle if you meet each exam's individual eligibility criteria, but separate applications and fees are required for each.

SSC Exam Calendar 2026-27

SSC released its official 2026-27 exam calendar on 14 March 2026, covering CGL, CHSL, MTS, GD Constable, CPO, and JE. Since SSC's calendar lists tentative windows rather than exact single dates for several exams, check the official SSC calendar page directly for the precise date once it's confirmed closer to each exam.

RRB (Railway) Exam Calendar 2026-27

Railway Recruitment Boards conduct recruitment for NTPC, Group D, ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot), and JE (Junior Engineer) posts through the year, with Computer-Based Test (CBT) schedules notified separately by each regional RRB zone. IBPS RRB (a separate banking-sector RRB exam for regional rural banks, distinct from Railway RRB) is scheduled for November 2026 - January 2027, as noted in the IBPS table above. For Railway-specific RRB exam dates, check your regional RRB's official notices page, since CBT schedules vary by zone and post.

Other Major Government Exams to Track

• CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test): Conducted twice yearly by CBSE; check ctet.nic.in for the current cycle's dates.
• AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test): Conducted twice yearly for Air Force officer entry; check afcat.cdac.in for current dates.
• State PSCs: Each state Public Service Commission (UPPSC, MPPSC, BPSC, and others) maintains its own independent calendar — check your specific state PSC's official website directly.
• SBI PO & SBI Clerk: Notified separately from IBPS by the State Bank of India; check sbi.co.in/careers for current recruitment cycles.

IBPS PO 2026 — Full Details

IBPS PO (Probationary Officer) is one of the most sought-after banking exams in India, recruiting for 11 participating Public Sector Banks. For the 2026 cycle (CRP PO/MT-XVI), IBPS has announced 7,365 vacancies — around 29% higher than the previous year — with the admit card for Prelims already released on 14 August 2026.

A detail worth knowing beyond the exam itself: IBPS checks candidates' credit history at the time of joining, not at the application stage — a poor CIBIL score or unresolved negative remarks can require a No Objection Certificate from the concerned bank before you can join, so it's worth checking your own credit report well ahead of the interview stage if you're serious about this exam.

SSC CGL 2026 — Full Details

SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level) recruits for Group B and Group C posts across central government departments — Income Tax Inspector, Assistant Section Officer, Sub-Inspector in CBI/NIA, Junior Statistical Officer, Auditor, and more. The 2026 notification was released on 21 May 2026 for 12,256 vacancies.

SSC CGL Tier-I follows a 100-question format (25 each in Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English) within 60 minutes, with 0.5 marks deducted per wrong answer. Tier-II includes a compulsory paper plus optional papers depending on which specific post you're targeting — it's worth deciding your post preference early, since some optional papers require additional preparation beyond the core syllabus.

UPSC Civil Services (CSE) 2026 — Full Details

UPSC CSE remains the most competitive of the exams on this page by a wide margin — the gap between Prelims and Mains results typically runs about three months, and successful candidates generally recommend using this window for focused, disciplined static-syllabus revision combined with daily current affairs, rather than starting fresh preparation after results are announced.

Which Exam Should You Prepare For? A Quick Comparison

Many serious aspirants prepare for more than one of these simultaneously, since the core sections — Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, and General Awareness — overlap significantly across SSC and banking exams, letting your preparation serve multiple applications rather than starting over for each one.

Glossary — Government Exam Terms Explained

• CBT (Computer-Based Test): An exam conducted on computers at a designated test centre, as opposed to a traditional pen-and-paper test.
• Prelims / Tier-I: The first, typically objective-type screening round used to shortlist candidates for the next stage.
• Mains / Tier-II: The more detailed second stage, which may include both objective and descriptive components depending on the exam.
• DV (Document Verification): The stage where candidates' original certificates and documents are physically checked against their application details.
• PET/PST (Physical Efficiency/Standard Test): Required for certain posts (police, defence, some SSC posts) involving physical fitness benchmarks like running, height, and chest measurements.
• Sectional Cut-off: A minimum qualifying score required in each individual section of a paper, separate from the overall cut-off — scoring well overall doesn't help if you fail a specific section's threshold.
• PwBD: Persons with Benchmark Disabilities — a reservation and age-relaxation category recognized across most government exams.
• OTR (One-Time Registration): A single registration profile (used by SSC and some other bodies) that lets you apply to multiple exams under that body without re-entering your basic details each time.

Common Mistakes That Cause Application Rejection

• Applying for a post you'll age out of before the qualifying date — always check the specific cut-off date used to calculate age eligibility (often 1 August or 1 July, not the application date itself), since this varies by exam.
• Uploading photos/signatures in the wrong format or size — a surprisingly common, entirely avoidable rejection reason; always check the exact pixel and file-size specifications in the notification PDF.
• Applying before completing final-year qualifications when the notification explicitly requires the degree to be completed by a certain cut-off date — some exams allow final-year candidates to apply provisionally, others don't, so read this clause carefully for your specific exam.
• Missing the fee payment step — in most systems, your application isn't considered complete until fee payment is confirmed, even if the form itself shows as submitted.
• Not claiming eligible category relaxation with proper documentation — reservation and age-relaxation benefits generally require specific certificates submitted correctly; missing or incorrect documentation can mean losing a benefit you were otherwise entitled to.

How to Track Live Date Changes

Government exam dates are revised more often than most candidates expect — due to overlapping schedules across bodies, logistical constraints, or administrative reasons. A few habits that help you avoid missing a date change:

• Bookmark the official calendar page for each exam body you're tracking (UPSC, SSC, IBPS) rather than relying only on third-party aggregator sites.
• Check the admit card page 10-15 days before your expected exam date — a delayed admit card release is often the first sign of a date change.
• Register your email and mobile number correctly on each application form, since most bodies send date-change notifications directly to registered candidates.
• Follow the exam body's official social media accounts, which are often faster than the website for urgent updates like postponements.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the IBPS PO exam in 2026?

IBPS PO Prelims 2026 is scheduled for 22-23 August 2026, as per the official IBPS Calendar 2026-27 released on 16 January 2026.

When is the UPSC Civil Services Mains exam in 2026?

The UPSC Civil Services Mains exam 2026 begins on 21 August 2026 and runs for five days, following Prelims which was held on 24 May 2026.

When is the SSC CHSL exam in 2026?

SSC CHSL Tier 1 is scheduled for the July-September 2026 window, as per SSC's official 2026-27 exam calendar released on 14 March 2026. Check the official SSC website for the exact confirmed date.

How early does IBPS release admit cards?

IBPS typically releases admit cards 7-10 days before the respective exam date, downloadable from the official IBPS website using your registration number and password or date of birth.

Can I apply for multiple IBPS exams in the same year?

Yes — candidates can apply for IBPS PO, Clerk, SO, and RRB in the same recruitment cycle if they meet each exam's individual eligibility criteria, though separate applications and application fees are required for each.

When is the RRB (Railway) exam in 2026?

Railway RRB exams for NTPC, Group D, ALP, and JE posts are conducted through the year, with CBT schedules notified separately by each regional RRB zone — check your regional RRB's official notices page for specific dates.

Why do government exam dates get changed so often?

Date changes typically happen due to overlapping schedules between different exam bodies, logistical constraints like venue availability, or administrative reasons specific to the conducting body. It's why checking the official calendar close to your exam date, rather than relying solely on an earlier-published schedule, is important.

How many vacancies are there in IBPS PO 2026?

IBPS has announced 7,365 vacancies for Probationary Officer/Management Trainee posts in the 2026 cycle (CRP PO/MT-XVI) — around 29% higher than the previous year.

What is the SSC CGL 2026 application fee?

The SSC CGL 2026 application fee is ₹100 for General category candidates. Women candidates and those from SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen categories are exempted from the fee.

What is the starting salary for IBPS PO?

IBPS PO starts with a basic pay of ₹48,480, rising to ₹85,920 with regular increments. The initial in-hand salary, including allowances, is approximately ₹74,000-76,000 per month, depending on posting location.

How many attempts are allowed for UPSC Civil Services Exam?

General category candidates get 6 attempts, subject to the upper age limit of 32 years. Reserved category candidates are generally allowed more attempts and/or higher age limits, as specified in the official notification.

What is the age limit for SSC CGL 2026?

Age limit varies by post: 18-27 years for posts like Auditor and Tax Assistant, 18-30 years for Inspector and Assistant Section Officer, 20-30 years for Sub-Inspector in CBI, and 18-32 years for Junior Statistical Officer, with standard reserved-category relaxations applying on top.

Last updated: 17 August 2026. Exam dates are tentative and subject to official revision — always confirm the final date on the respective exam body's official website (upsc.gov.in, ibps.in, ssc.gov.in) before making travel or preparation plans.