The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the exam dates for its Direct Recruitment Quota Examination 2026 (DRQ2026). This significant examination will select candidates for various Group A, B, and C positions within the board. The Tier 1 examination is scheduled to take place on January 31 and February 1, 2026 .
CBSE, a prominent national board of education in India, conducts this direct recruitment drive to fill key administrative and academic roles. Direct recruitment focuses on hiring individuals specifically for vacant posts, rather than through internal promotions, ensuring new talent is brought into the organization. The DRQ2026 aims to onboard professionals into diverse roles essential for the board’s operations.
Understanding Government Posts: Group A, B, and C
The positions offered through this recruitment fall under Group A, B, and C categories, which denote different levels of responsibility and hierarchy within the Indian government and autonomous bodies like CBSE. Group A posts typically involve senior management or officer-level responsibilities, often requiring strategic decision-making and supervision.
Group B posts generally encompass supervisory or executive functions, providing support to Group A officers and managing teams. Group C posts usually cover clerical, technical, and support roles, crucial for the day-to-day operational efficiency of the organization. Understanding these classifications helps candidates identify the nature and scope of the roles they are applying for.
Positions open through this recruitment include Assistant Secretary, Assistant Professor, Director, Accounts Officer, Junior Translation Officer, Superintendent, Junior Accountant, and Junior Assistant. For instance, an Assistant Secretary typically assists in policy implementation and administrative tasks, while an Accounts Officer manages financial records and budgeting within the board. These roles are integral to CBSE’s mandate of regulating and supervising secondary education.
Exam Structure and Details
The DRQ 2026 Tier 1 exam serves as the initial screening stage for all applicants. Each examination session will have a duration of two hours. The tests are designed to assess candidates’ foundational knowledge and aptitude required for the respective roles.
The examination will be conducted in two sessions daily across the scheduled dates. Session 1, which will feature a common paper, is scheduled from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM . A common paper typically assesses general knowledge, reasoning ability, quantitative aptitude, and English language skills, making it a standardized test for all candidates appearing in that session.
Session 2 of the examination will run from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM . Specific content for Session 2 papers will likely be tailored to the requirements of the various posts, testing specialized knowledge relevant to particular Group A, B, or C roles.
CBSE DRQ 2026: Tier 1 Exam Schedule
Candidates should note the detailed examination schedule to prepare accordingly:
| Exam Date | Post | Session | Timings |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 31 | Assistant Secretary | Session 1 (One common paper) | 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM |
| Assistant Professor and Assistant Director (Academics) | |||
| Assistant Professor and Assistant Director (Training) | |||
| Assistant Professor and Assistant Director (Skill Education) | |||
| Accounts Officer | |||
| January 31 | Junior Translation Officer | Session 2 | 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM |
| Superintendent | |||
| February 1 | Junior Accountant | Session 1 (One common paper) | 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM |
| Junior Assistant |
Next Steps for Candidates
Information regarding the Tier 1 examination centre and city will be communicated through the admit cards. The CBSE will issue these admit cards soon on its official website. Candidates are advised to regularly check cbse.gov.in for updates.
To download their CBSE DRQ 2026 admit card, candidates will need to access the official portal and enter their valid login credentials. It is crucial for all candidates to download and print their admit cards well in advance of the examination dates to avoid any last-minute issues and to verify their assigned test location.