The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially announced the exam schedule for the Direct Recruitment Quota Examination 2026 (DRQ-2026). In a major update for thousands of aspirants, the CBSE Group A, B, and C Tier-1 Exam is scheduled to be held on January 31, 2026, and February 1, 2026.
Additionally, the board has activated the Admit Card Download Link as of January 28, 2026. Candidates who applied for posts like Assistant Secretary, Junior Assistant, and Accountant must download their hall tickets immediately to check their specific shift and center.
Urgent Update: The Admit Card link is now LIVE on
cbse.gov.in. Candidates appearing for the exam on Jan 31 (2 Shifts) and Feb 1 (1 Shift) must carry a printed copy of the admit card to enter the exam hall.
CBSE Recruitment 2026 Key Highlights
A quick snapshot of the recruitment drive for 124 vacancies.
| Feature | Details |
| Organization | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Recruitment Name | Direct Recruitment Quota (DRQ) 2026 |
| Post Category | Group A, B & C |
| Total Vacancies | 124 Posts |
| Exam Date | 31 Jan 2026 & 01 Feb 2026 |
| Admit Card Status | Released (28 Jan 2026) |
| Official Website | cbse.gov.in |
CBSE Exam Date 2026 Important Dates & Schedule
Mark these critical dates to ensure you don’t miss the exam.
- Admit Card Release Date: January 28, 2026
- CBSE Exam Date (Day 1): January 31, 2026 (Saturday) – Conducted in 2 Shifts
- CBSE Exam Date (Day 2): February 01, 2026 (Sunday) – Conducted in 1 Shift
- Result Declaration: To be announced later.
Also Read: CBSE Time Table 2026: 10th-12th exams from February 15? See Date Sheet Update
Vacancy Breakdown Post-Wise Details
The 124 vacancies are distributed across various administrative and technical roles.
| Post Code | Post Name | Group | Pay Level |
| 01/25 | Assistant Secretary (Admn) | A | Level-10 |
| 02/25 | Assistant Secretary (Academics) | A | Level-10 |
| 03/25 – 05/25 | Assistant Secretary (Training/Skill) | A | Level-10 |
| 06/25 | Junior Engineer | B | Level-6 |
| 07/25 | Junior Translation Officer | B | Level-6 |
| 08/25 | Accountant | B | Level-4 |
| 09/25 | Junior Accountant | C | Level-2 |
| 10/25 | Junior Assistant | C | Level-2 |
Note: The exam on Jan 31 and Feb 1 covers these posts. Check your specific post code on the admit card.
Download CBSE Admit Card 2026 (Direct Links)
Use the direct link below to access the login page without navigating through the main website.
- Download CBSE Group A, B, C Admit Card 2026 (Click Here)
- Download Official Exam Date Notice PDF (Click Here)
Comprehensive Analysis: Exam Pattern & Guidelines
The selection process involves a Tier-1 Written Examination followed by Tier-2/Skill Test/Interview depending on the post.
Tier-1 Exam Structure:
- Mode: OMR Based / CBT (Check Admit Card for specific instructions).
- Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
- Subjects: Generally includes General Awareness, Reasoning, Mathematics, Hindi/English, and domain-specific knowledge (for posts like Accountant/JE).
- Negative Marking: Candidates should be cautious as negative marking usually applies (Verify on the question paper instructions).
Scribe Guidelines (For PwBD Candidates):
- Candidates using a scribe must ensure the scribe’s qualification is one step below the candidate’s qualification.
- A declaration form (Appendix 1) signed by both candidate and scribe is mandatory.
- The scribe must not be a candidate in the same examination.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Download Admit Card
- Visit the official website:
cbse.gov.in. - Navigate to the “Main Website” or “Recruitment” tab.
- Click on the link titled “Download Admit Card for Direct Recruitment 2026 (Group A, B, C)”.
- Enter your Application Number and Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY).
- Submit the details. Your Hall Ticket will appear on the screen.
- Print two copies for safety.
Tip: If you forget your application number, check the confirmation email/SMS received during registration.
Documents Required at Exam Center
You will generally NOT be allowed entry without these documents:
- Printed Admit Card: (Color or Black & White).
- Original Photo ID Proof: (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Driving License, or Passport).
- Passport Size Photos: (2 copies, same as uploaded).
- Blue/Black Ball Point Pen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When was the CBSE Admit Card 2026 released? A: The admit card was released on January 28, 2026.
Q2: What is the exam date for CBSE Junior Assistant? A: The overall exam schedule is January 31 and February 1, 2026. Your specific date and shift for the Junior Assistant post will be mentioned on your admit card.
Q3: How many vacancies are there in CBSE Recruitment 2026? A: There are a total of 124 vacancies across Group A, B, and C posts.
Q4: Can I change my exam center now? A: No, the exam center allotted on the admit card is final, and no requests for change will be entertained.
Q5: Is there an interview for Group C posts? A: Typically, Group C posts (like Junior Assistant) involve a Skill Test (Typing) after the written exam, but no interview. Group A posts usually include an interview.