UPSC Recruitment 2026 for Principal and Vice-Principal Positions
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued a recruitment notification for a total of 828 positions as Principals and Vice-Principals. The application portal will be open from July 25, 2026, until August 14, 2026. Interested candidates can apply through the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.
This recruitment process falls under Special Advertisement No. 51/2026 and comprises 124 vacancies for Principals and 704 for Vice-Principals within the Education Department of the Government of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Eligible applicants are encouraged to complete their applications online within the stipulated dates, specifically from July 25, 2026, to August 14, 2026 (submissions accepted until 6 PM).
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants are required to possess a Master’s Degree along with a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) from a recognized university or institution. Furthermore, relevant teaching experience is mandatory: candidates for Principal positions must have at least 10 years of teaching experience, while Vice-Principal candidates need to have either 2 years of experience as a Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) or 3 years as a Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT).
The selection process will include a Combined Recruitment Test (CRT) followed by an Interview, which will be weighted in a ratio of 75:25. The posted Principals will be compensated at Pay Level-12, whereas Vice-Principals will receive Pay Level-10 as per the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) Pay Matrix. Age restrictions will vary according to the specific post and category, with provisions for relaxation for reserved categories and persons with benchmark disabilities (PwBD). The designated job location for these positions is New Delhi.
Applicants should ensure that they pay the application fee of Rs. 25 (if applicable), fill out all required fields accurately, and submit their applications prior to the deadline of August 14, 2026, to mitigate any last-minute complications. Comprehensive information regarding eligibility, fee structures, and application procedures is outlined below.
UPSC Recruitment 2026 - Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Recruitment Name | Special Advertisement No. 51/2026 |
| Posts | Principal, Vice-Principal (Education Department, GNCT of Delhi) |
| Total Vacancies | 828 (124 Principal + 704 Vice-Principal) |
| Application Start Date | July 25, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | August 14, 2026 (up to 6 PM) |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Official Website | https://upsconline.nic.in/ora/ |
| Selection Process | Combined Recruitment Test (CRT) + Interview (75:25 weightage) |
| CRT Date | November 1, 2026 |
| Application Fee | Rs. 25/- (exempted for Female/SC/ST/PwBD) |
| Pay Scale | Level-12 (Principal), Level-10 (Vice-Principal) |
| Job Location | New Delhi |
Vacancy Breakdown
This recruitment includes an overall total of 828 vacancies, split into 124 for Principals and 704 for Vice-Principals.
| Post Name | Vacancy No. | Vacancies | Pay Level | Age Limit | Essential Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principal | 26075101725 | 124 | Level-12 | 50 years (UR/EWS), 53 years (OBC), 55 years (SC/ST) | 10 years of teaching (Vice Principal/PGT/TGT) |
| Vice Principal | 26075102725 | 704 | Level-10 | 35 years (UR/EWS), 38 years (OBC), 40 years (SC/ST) | 2 years as PGT OR 3 years as TGT |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | July 25, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | August 14, 2026 (up to 6 PM) |
| Combined Recruitment Test (CRT) | November 1, 2026 |
| Interview Date | To be announced separately |
Category-wise Vacancy Details
1. Principal (124 Vacancies)
| Category | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| UR | 69 | 37 | 32 |
| EWS | 11 | 7 | 4 |
| OBC | 18 | 7 | 11 |
| SC | 16 | 13 | 3 |
| ST | 10 | 8 | 2 |
Among the 124 vacancies, 7 are designated for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), comprising 5 new and 2 backlog positions.
2. Vice Principal (704 Vacancies)
| Category | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| UR | 287 | 150 | 137 |
| EWS | 71 | 37 | 34 |
| OBC | 189 | 96 | 93 |
| SC | 103 | 52 | 51 |
| ST | 54 | 29 | 25 |
From the 704 Vice-Principal vacancies, 28 are allocated for PwBD candidates, which includes 27 new and 1 backlog position.
Educational Qualifications
| Post | Essential Qualification | Desirable Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Principal | Master's Degree + B.Ed from a recognized University/Institute; 10 years' teaching experience as Vice Principal/PGT/TGT in a recognized High/Higher Secondary/Senior Secondary School or Intermediate College | Doctorate Degree; experience in administrative roles at a recognized educational institution |
| Vice Principal | Master's Degree + B.Ed from a recognized University; 2 years as PGT OR 3 years as TGT | - |
Note: The UPSC may relax qualifications and experience at their discretion, especially for highly qualified candidates and for SC/ST applicants when qualified candidates are insufficient.
Age Limit
| Post | UR/EWS | OBC | SC/ST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal | 50 years | 53 years | 55 years |
| Vice Principal | 35 years | 38 years | 40 years |
Additional age relaxations apply, including up to 10 years for PwBD candidates and various allowances for Ex-Servicemen and Central/UT Government employees.
Salary Details
| Post | Pay Scale |
|---|---|
| Principal | Level-12 in the Pay Matrix as per the 7th CPC |
| Vice Principal | Level-10 in the Pay Matrix as per the 7th CPC |
Selection Process
The selection will be based on a Combined Recruitment Test (CRT) to short-list candidates for the interview stage, which will be followed by a Personality Test. Key details include:
- The CRT is scheduled for November 1, 2026, at 15 designated centres.
- The test duration is 2 hours and will be in the form of objective type questions (MCQs) in both English and Hindi, with a total of 300 marks.
- Negative marking is applicable, deducting one-third of the marks for every incorrect answer.
- The final merit will be determined using a weightage of 75% for the CRT and 25% for the Interview.
- Minimum qualifying marks for the interview are: General/EWS – 50 marks, OBC – 45 marks, and SC/ST/PwBD – 40 marks (out of 100).
CRT Syllabus
- General Knowledge including current social, economic, and cultural topics
- Language proficiency in Hindi and English
- Reasoning ability and Quantitative Aptitude
- Educational policies and measurement in education
- Management and Financial administration
- Office procedures
- Educational pedagogy
- Digital literacy
CRT Centres
The examination will take place in various cities including Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Dispur (Guwahati), Jaipur, Jammu, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Ranchi, and Visakhapatnam.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS Male candidates | Rs. 25/- |
| Female/SC/ST/PwBD candidates | Exempted (No Fee) |
Application fees may be paid using Visa, Master, RuPay credit/debit cards, UPI, or Internet banking methods. Note that fees are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to any other examination.
How to Apply
Interested candidates can submit their applications online between July 25, 2026, and August 14, 2026 (until 6 PM) via https://upsconline.nic.in/ora/. The application process consists of four modules:
- Account creation
- Universal Registration (generating a Universal Registration Number – URN)
- Filling the Common Application Form (CAF)
- Post/Vacancy-specific module, which must be completed during the designated time frame
Candidates should also upload a recent photograph and a signature (signed three times on plain white paper) while completing the CAF. Once submitted, applications cannot be altered or withdrawn. Therefore, candidates are advised to use their Aadhaar Card for identity verification and to apply well ahead of the closing date.
Documents Required
- Matriculation/10th certificate or equivalent (as evidence of date of birth)
- Degree/Diploma certificate (Master's Degree, B.Ed)
- Experience certificates in the prescribed format from the relevant authority
- Caste certificate (if applicable) in the prescribed format
- Non-creamy layer declaration for OBC candidates
- Disability certificate for PwBD candidates
- Any necessary documents for change of name, if applicable
- Age relaxation certificates (if applicable)
Note: Candidates should not upload documents such as pay slips, resumes, appointment letters, or unsigned experience certificates.
Important Instructions
- OBC reservation applies only for candidates with OBC certificates issued by the Government of NCT of Delhi; certificates from other regions will be considered as General/Unreserved.
- The closing date for submitting the application determines eligibility in all respects.
- Those already in government service must declare that their Head of Office/Department is informed about their application.
- Candidates should maintain a valid and active email ID, as all official correspondence will be conducted through email.
- No printed documents need to be sent to the Commission by post; these must be presented during the interview if shortlisted.
- Mobile phones and electronic devices are strictly prohibited within examination/interview venues.
- Face authentication will be required at the examination and interview venues.
- Providing false information or concealing facts may result in application rejection, disqualification, or legal consequences.
Important Links
Aspirants seeking teaching opportunities in the National Capital Region may also explore upcoming job offerings within the Delhi government. Candidates interested in a career in education may further investigate Teacher Recruitment 2026 and Central Government job openings correlating with their qualifications and experience.
UPSC Recruitment 2026 - Frequently Asked Questions
How many total vacancies are there in UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026?
There are a total of 828 vacancies, consisting of 124 for Principal and 704 for Vice-Principal.
When can candidates start applying online?
Online applications will open on July 25, 2026, at 12:01 AM and will close on August 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
What is the educational qualification required for Principal and Vice-Principal posts?
For the Principal position, candidates must hold a Master's Degree, B.Ed, and have 10 years of teaching experience as PGT or TGT. For the Vice-Principal role, candidates should have a Master's Degree, B.Ed, and 2 years of experience as PGT or 3 years as TGT.
What is the age limit for this recruitment?
The age limit for Principal positions is 50 years for UR/EWS candidates, 53 years for OBC, and 55 years for SC/ST candidates. For Vice-Principals, the limits are 35 years for UR/EWS, 38 years for OBC, and 40 years for SC/ST, calculated as of August 14, 2026.
Is there an application fee for female candidates?
No, female candidates, along with SC, ST, and PwD candidates from all categories, are exempt from the application fee.
What is the application fee for other categories?
UR, General, OBC, and EWS male candidates are required to pay Rs. 25 online.
What is the selection process for UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026?
The selection includes an initial recruitment test to shortlist candidates, followed by a personal interview and document verification.
Where can candidates apply for UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026?
Applications should be submitted online at the UPSC ORA portal at upsconline.nic.in.