The Union Public Service Commission has released Special Advertisement No. 51/2026 for the recruitment of Principal and Vice-Principal posts in the Education Department, Government of NCT of Delhi. A total of 828 permanent Group “A” Gazetted vacancies have been announced, including 124 Principal posts and 704 Vice-Principal posts.
Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the UPSC Online Recruitment Application portal. The online application process started on July 25, 2026, and the last date to apply is August 14, 2026, up to 6:00 PM.
UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026 – Job Overview
| Recruitment Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organization | Union Public Service Commission |
| Advertisement Number | Special Advertisement No. 51/2026 |
| Department | Education Department, Government of NCT of Delhi |
| Post Names | Principal and Vice-Principal |
| Total Vacancies | 828 Posts |
| Principal Vacancies | 124 Posts |
| Vice-Principal Vacancies | 704 Posts |
| Job Location | Delhi |
| Job Category | Group “A” Gazetted, Non-Ministerial |
| Employment Type | Permanent Government Job |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Starting Date | July 25, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | August 14, 2026, up to 6:00 PM |
| Combined Recruitment Test Date | November 1, 2026 |
| Selection Process | Combined Recruitment Test and Interview |
| Official Website | UPSC |
UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Vacancy 2026 – Post Details
The UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026 notification contains two separate vacancy numbers. Candidates must select the correct vacancy number while completing the online application.
| Post Name | Vacancy Number | Male | Female | Total Vacancies |
| Principal | 26075101725 | 72 | 52 | 124 |
| Vice-Principal | 26075102725 | 364 | 340 | 704 |
| Total | — | 436 | 392 | 828 |
UPSC Principal Recruitment 2026 – Category-Wise Vacancies
| Category | Male | Female | Total |
| Unreserved | 37 | 32 | 69 |
| EWS | 7 | 4 | 11 |
| OBC | 7 | 11 | 18 |
| SC | 13 | 3 | 16 |
| ST | 8 | 2 | 10 |
| Total | 72 | 52 | 124 |
Out of the 124 Principal vacancies, seven posts are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities. PwBD reservation is horizontal and is included within the category totals shown above.
UPSC Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026 – Category-Wise Vacancies
| Category | Male | Female | Total |
| Unreserved | 150 | 137 | 287 |
| EWS | 37 | 34 | 71 |
| OBC | 96 | 93 | 189 |
| SC | 52 | 51 | 103 |
| ST | 29 | 25 | 54 |
| Total | 364 | 340 | 704 |
Out of the 704 Vice-Principal vacancies, 28 posts are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities. These PwBD vacancies are included within the overall category-wise vacancy figures.
UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026 – Location-Wise Vacancies
All the advertised posts are available in the Education Department under the Government of NCT of Delhi.
| Job Location | Principal Posts | Vice-Principal Posts | Total |
| Delhi | 124 | 704 | 828 |
Selected candidates may be posted in government schools or educational establishments located anywhere under the administrative control of the Delhi Education Department.
UPSC Principal Recruitment 2026 – Job Description
The Principal is the senior administrative and academic head of a school. The selected candidate will be responsible for managing the institution, supervising teaching and non-teaching employees, maintaining academic standards and ensuring that government education policies are implemented correctly.
The Principal may also be required to prepare institutional development plans, monitor student performance, coordinate examinations, manage school finances and maintain communication with parents and education authorities.
This is a permanent Group “A” Gazetted, Non-Ministerial position carrying Pay Level 12 under the Seventh Central Pay Commission.
UPSC Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026 – Job Description
The Vice-Principal supports the Principal in the academic and administrative management of the school. The selected candidate may be responsible for supervising teaching activities, preparing school timetables, monitoring classroom performance and maintaining student discipline.
Vice-Principals may also coordinate examinations, teacher meetings, extracurricular programmes and daily administrative work. In the absence of the Principal, the Vice-Principal may be required to manage the overall functioning of the institution.
The post is classified as a permanent Group “A” Gazetted, Non-Ministerial position under Pay Level 10 of the Seventh Central Pay Commission.
UPSC Principal Recruitment 2026 – Educational Qualification
Candidates applying for the Principal post must possess the following qualifications:
- A Master’s Degree from a recognised university or educational institution.
- A Bachelor of Education degree from a recognised university or institution.
Candidates must also have at least ten years of teaching experience as a Vice-Principal, Post Graduate Teacher or Trained Graduate Teacher in a recognised High School, Higher Secondary School, Senior Secondary School or Intermediate College.
UPSC Principal Recruitment 2026 – Desirable Qualification
Although not compulsory, preference may be given to candidates possessing:
- A Doctorate degree from a recognised university or institution.
- Experience in holding administrative charge of a recognised High School, Higher Secondary School, Senior Secondary School or Intermediate College.
Possessing desirable qualifications does not replace any of the essential educational or experience requirements.
UPSC Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026 – Educational Qualification
Candidates applying for the Vice-Principal post must have:
- A Master’s Degree from a recognised university or institution.
- A Bachelor of Education degree from a recognised university.
In addition to the educational qualifications, candidates must satisfy either of the following experience requirements:
- Two years of experience as a Post Graduate Teacher; or
- Three years of experience as a Trained Graduate Teacher.
The required experience should be supported by valid certificates issued by the relevant employer or educational institution.
UPSC Principal Recruitment 2026 – Age Limit
The category-wise upper age limit for the Principal post, calculated as of August 14, 2026, is given below.
| Category | Maximum Age |
| Unreserved | 50 Years |
| EWS | 50 Years |
| OBC | 53 Years |
| SC | 55 Years |
| ST | 55 Years |
| PwBD | Additional relaxation as per government rules |
Age relaxation for eligible PwBD candidates, government servants and other special categories will be provided according to the rules mentioned in the detailed UPSC notification.
UPSC Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026 – Age Limit
The upper age limit for the Vice-Principal post is lower than the limit prescribed for the Principal post.
| Category | Maximum Age |
| Unreserved | 35 Years |
| EWS | 35 Years |
| OBC | 38 Years |
| SC | 40 Years |
| ST | 40 Years |
| PwBD | Additional relaxation as per government rules |
The closing date of the online application, August 14, 2026, will be treated as the crucial date for calculating the candidate’s age.
UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026 – Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy all the following eligibility requirements:
- The applicant must possess the prescribed Master’s Degree and B.Ed qualification.
- The educational qualifications must have been obtained from recognised universities or institutions.
- Candidates must possess the required teaching experience for the selected post.
- Experience must have been acquired on or before the closing date of application.
- Applicants must fall within the prescribed category-wise age limit.
- Candidates claiming reservation must possess valid category certificates in the prescribed format.
- PwBD candidates must have a valid disability certificate issued by a competent medical authority.
- The information entered in the online application must match the supporting certificates.
Candidates who do not possess the required qualifications or experience as of August 14, 2026, should not apply.
UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Salary 2026 – Pay Scale
| Post Name | Pay Level | Basic Pay Range |
| Principal | Level 12 | ₹78,800 to ₹2,09,200 per month |
| Vice-Principal | Level 10 | ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 per month |
Apart from basic pay, selected candidates will be eligible for Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance and other admissible benefits according to Government of NCT of Delhi rules.
The final in-hand salary will depend on the place of posting, applicable allowances, deductions and government rules in force at the time of appointment.
UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Selection Process 2026
The selection process consists of two main stages:
- Combined Recruitment Test
- Interview or Personality Test
Candidates must qualify in the Combined Recruitment Test to be shortlisted for the interview. Final merit is expected to be prepared by giving 75% weightage to the recruitment test and 25% weightage to the interview.
UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Combined Recruitment Test 2026
The Combined Recruitment Test is scheduled to be conducted on November 1, 2026.
| Test Details | Information |
| Examination Mode | Pen-and-paper OMR test |
| Question Type | Objective multiple-choice questions |
| Test Duration | Two hours |
| Maximum Marks | 300 Marks |
| Question Paper Language | Hindi and English |
| Negative Marking | One-third mark deducted for every incorrect answer |
No penalty is normally imposed for questions that are not attempted. Candidates should read the detailed examination instructions issued with their admit card before appearing for the test.
UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Recruitment Test Syllabus 2026
The Combined Recruitment Test may include questions from the following areas:
- General knowledge and current social, economic and cultural issues.
- Hindi and English language skills.
- Reasoning ability and quantitative aptitude.
- Educational policies.
- Educational measurement and evaluation.
- School management and financial administration.
- Government office procedures.
- Pedagogy and teaching methodologies.
- Digital literacy and the use of technology in education.
Candidates should refer to the official recruitment test notice for the final and complete syllabus.
UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Interview 2026
Candidates who qualify in the recruitment test will be shortlisted for the interview or personality test. The interview board may evaluate the candidate’s academic knowledge, administrative ability, teaching experience, leadership skills, communication ability and awareness of current educational issues.
The minimum suitability marks reported for the interview stage are:
| Category | Minimum Suitability Marks |
| Unreserved and EWS | 50 Marks |
| OBC | 45 Marks |
| SC and ST | 40 Marks |
Shortlisting for the interview does not guarantee final selection. Candidates must also complete document verification and satisfy all eligibility requirements.
UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Application Fee 2026
| Candidate Category | Application Fee |
| General Male Candidates | ₹25 |
| OBC Male Candidates | ₹25 |
| EWS Male Candidates | ₹25 |
| SC Candidates | No Fee |
| ST Candidates | No Fee |
| PwBD Candidates | No Fee |
| Women Candidates of All Categories | No Fee |
The application fee can be paid using supported debit cards, credit cards, UPI or internet banking facilities. The fee will not normally be refunded after successful payment.
UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates
| Recruitment Event | Important Date |
| Detailed Notification Release Date | July 24, 2026 |
| Online Application Starting Date | July 25, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | August 14, 2026 |
| Online Application Closing Time | 6:00 PM |
| Age and Eligibility Cut-Off Date | August 14, 2026 |
| Combined Recruitment Test | November 1, 2026 |
| Interview Schedule | To be announced |
Candidates should complete the application several days before the closing date to avoid payment failures, document-upload problems or heavy traffic on the application portal.
UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026 – Documents Required
Candidates should keep the following documents ready before starting the online application:
- Recent photograph.
- Scanned signature.
- Date-of-birth proof.
- Master’s Degree certificate and marksheets.
- B.Ed certificate and marksheets.
- Teaching experience certificates.
- Administrative experience certificate, where applicable.
- Doctorate degree certificate, where applicable.
- SC, ST, OBC or EWS certificate.
- PwBD certificate, where applicable.
- Valid photo identity proof.
- Name-change certificate or supporting document, where applicable.
Experience certificates should clearly mention the post held, employment period, nature of duties and name of the institution.
How to Apply for UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026
- Visit the UPSC Online Recruitment Application portal.
- Complete the UPSC registration process and obtain a Universal Registration Number.
- Fill in the Common Application Form with your personal, contact, educational and employment information.
- Open Special Advertisement No. 51/2026.
- Select Vacancy No. 26075101725 for Principal or Vacancy No. 26075102725 for Vice-Principal.
- Enter the post-specific qualifications and teaching experience.
- Upload the required photograph, signature, educational certificates, experience certificates and reservation documents.
- Review the entered information carefully before proceeding.
- Pay the ₹25 application fee if it is applicable to your category.
- Submit the application before 6:00 PM on August 14, 2026.
- Download and save the submitted application form and payment receipt.
Candidates applying for both posts may be required to submit separate post-specific applications and should verify the requirement on the UPSC portal.
UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026 – Important Links
| Important Link | Access |
| Official Notification PDF | Download UPSC Special Advertisement No. 51/2026 |
| Apply Online | UPSC Online Recruitment Application Portal |
| UPSC Official Website | Visit UPSC Official Website |
| Recruitment Advertisements | View UPSC Recruitment Advertisements |
Candidates must read the complete official notification before paying the application fee or submitting the form.
UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026 – Important Instructions
Candidates should not submit false teaching-experience details or upload certificates that do not clearly establish their eligibility. Applications may be rejected if the documents are incomplete, unreadable or inconsistent with the information entered online.
Applicants should ensure that their name, date of birth and parents’ names are consistent across the application form and supporting certificates. Candidates claiming age relaxation or reservation must upload certificates in the prescribed format.
The final eligibility decision will be taken by the Union Public Service Commission after scrutiny of the application and supporting documents.
UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are available under UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026?
There are 828 vacancies, including 124 Principal posts and 704 Vice-Principal posts.
Is the UPSC Recruitment 2026 notification for Nursing Officer posts?
No. The 828 vacancies under Special Advertisement No. 51/2026 are for Principal and Vice-Principal posts in the Education Department, Government of NCT of Delhi.
What is the last date to apply for UPSC Principal and Vice-Principal Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is August 14, 2026, up to 6:00 PM.
What is the qualification required for the Principal post?
Applicants need a Master’s Degree, B.Ed and ten years of teaching experience as a Vice-Principal, PGT or TGT in a recognised educational institution.
What is the qualification required for the Vice-Principal post?
Applicants need a Master’s Degree, B.Ed and either two years of experience as a PGT or three years of experience as a TGT.
What is the application fee?
General, OBC and EWS male candidates must pay ₹25. Women, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempted from payment.
What is the selection process?
Selection will be made through a Combined Recruitment Test followed by an interview and document verification.