UPSC 828 Principal & Vice Principals Recruitment 2026. UPSC has released Special Advertisement No. 51/2026 inviting Online Recruitment Applications (ORA) for 828 vacancies of Principal (124 posts) and Vice Principal (704 posts) in the Education Department, Government of NCT of Delhi. Eligible candidates working as PGT/TGT/Vice Principal with the required teaching experience can apply online at upsconline.nic.in from 25 July 2026 to 14 August 2026. This article covers the complete UPSC Principal Vice Principal Recruitment 2026 details including vacancy break-up, age limit, eligibility, application fee, selection process, salary, and how to apply, all in one place.
UPSC Principal & Vice Principal Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Advertisement No. | Special Advertisement No. 51/2026 |
| Post Names | Principal & Vice Principal (Education Department, GNCT of Delhi) |
| Total Vacancies | 828 (Principal – 124, Vice Principal – 704) |
| Recruitment Mode | Recruitment by Selection – Online Recruitment Application (ORA) |
| Application Start Date | 25 July 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 14 August 2026 (up to 1800 Hrs) |
| Combined Recruitment Test (CRT) Date | 01 November 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online only, through upsconline.nic.in/ora/ |
| Selection Process | Combined Recruitment Test (CRT) + Interview (weightage 75:25) |
| Job Location | Delhi (Schools under GNCT of Delhi) |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in |
Important Dates for UPSC Principal Vice Principal Recruitment 2026
Candidates must keep track of the following key dates while applying for these posts. Note that the closing date for submission of the online application is also the cut-off date for determining eligibility in every respect (age, qualification, experience, etc.).
| Event | Date |
| Online Application Start Date | 25 July 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 14 August 2026 (1800 Hrs) |
| Date for Determining Eligibility | 14 August 2026 (Closing Date) |
| Combined Recruitment Test (CRT) | 01 November 2026 |
| e-Admit Card Release | Before CRT date, on Commission’s website |
| Interview Date | To be intimated separately to shortlisted candidates |
UPSC Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details – Principal & Vice Principal
A total of 828 vacancies have been notified across two posts under the Education Department, Government of NCT of Delhi. The category-wise and gender-wise break-up for each post is given separately below for clarity.
1. Principal – 124 Vacancies (Vacancy No. 26075101725)
| Category | UR | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | Total |
| Total Vacancies | 69 | 11 | 18 | 16 | 10 | 124 |
| Male | 37 | 07 | 07 | 13 | 08 | 72 |
| Female | 32 | 04 | 11 | 03 | 02 | 52 |
Out of 124 Principal vacancies, 7 posts are reserved for PwBD candidates (5 fresh + 2 backlog), covering categories such as Blindness/Low Vision, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, certain Locomotor disabilities, Specific Learning Disability, Mental Illness, and Multiple Disabilities.
2. Vice Principal – 704 Vacancies (Vacancy No. 26075102725)
| Category | UR | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | Total |
| Total Vacancies | 287 | 71 | 189 | 103 | 54 | 704 |
| Male | 150 | 37 | 96 | 52 | 29 | 364 |
| Female | 137 | 34 | 93 | 51 | 25 | 340 |
Out of 704 Vice Principal vacancies, 28 posts are reserved for PwBD candidates (27 fresh + 1 backlog), covering Blindness/Low Vision, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, select Locomotor disabilities (including Cerebral Palsy), Specific Learning Disability, Mental Illness, and Multiple Disabilities categories.
Age Limit & Age Relaxation – Eligibility Criteria
The upper age limit differs for both posts and is reckoned as on the closing date, i.e. 14 August 2026. Relaxation is available to reserved categories as per Government of India norms.
| Category | Principal – Max. Age | Vice Principal – Max. Age |
| UR / EWS | 50 years | 35 years |
| OBC | 53 years | 38 years |
| SC / ST | 55 years | 40 years |
| PwBD | Additional 10 years relaxation (max. capped at 56 years) | Additional 10 years relaxation (max. capped at 56 years) |
Additional age relaxation is admissible for Ex-Servicemen/Commissioned Officers (5 years) and Central/UT Government employees (up to 5 years), subject to conditions specified in the official notification.
Educational Qualification & Experience – Eligibility Details
Principal – Essential Qualification
- Master’s Degree from a recognized University/Institute.
- Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from a recognized University/Institute.
- Experience: 10 years’ teaching experience as Vice Principal / PGT / TGT in a recognized High School / Higher Secondary School / Senior Secondary School / Intermediate College.
Desirable: Doctorate Degree; experience of administrative charge of a recognized school/college.
Vice Principal – Essential Qualification
- Master’s Degree from a recognized University/Institute.
- Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from a recognized University.
- Experience: 2 years as Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) OR 3 years as Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT).
Application Fee Details
| Category | Application Fee |
| UR / OBC / EWS (Male candidates) | Rs. 25/- |
| SC / ST / PwBD / All Women Candidates | No Fee (Exempted) |
Fee can be paid using Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card, UPI, or Internet Banking of any bank, up to the closing date/time. Fee once paid is non-refundable and cannot be adjusted against any other exam or selection. Applications submitted without the prescribed fee (where applicable) will be summarily rejected.
UPSC 828 Principal & Vice Principals Recruitment 2026 Selection Process – CRT & Interview Pattern
Selection for both Principal and Vice Principal posts will be made through a Pen & Paper Combined Recruitment Test (CRT) to shortlist candidates, followed by a Personality Test/Interview.
CRT Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
| Test Duration | 2 Hours |
| Question Type | Objective (Multiple Choice) |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Medium of Test | English and Hindi |
| Negative Marking | 1/3rd mark deducted for each wrong answer |
| CRT : Interview Weightage | 75 : 25 |
CRT Syllabus (Broad Topics)
- General Knowledge including contemporary social, economic and cultural issues
- Hindi and English language skills
- Reasoning ability and Quantitative Aptitude
- Educational policies, educational measurement and evaluation
- Management and financial administration
- Office procedure
- Pedagogy in Education
- Digital Literacy
Minimum Qualifying Marks in Interview (out of 100)
| Category | Minimum Marks |
| UR / EWS | 50 |
| OBC | 45 (relaxed standard) |
| SC / ST / PwBD | 40 (relaxed standard) |
CRT Test Centres: Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Dispur (Guwahati), Jaipur, Jammu, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Ranchi, and Visakhapatnam. The list of centres is subject to change and will be updated on the Commission’s website.
How to Apply for UPSC Principal Vice Principal Recruitment 2026
Applications must be submitted online only through the UPSC ORA portal. The process involves four modules: Account Creation, Universal Registration (URN), Common Application Form (CAF), and the post-specific module.
- Visit the official portal upsconline.nic.in/ora/
- Create an account and complete Universal Registration to generate your Universal Registration Number (URN).
- Fill the Common Application Form (CAF), upload photograph, capture live photo, and upload signature as per instructions.
- Select the desired post (Principal / Vice Principal) and fill the post-specific module to generate your Application Number.
- Upload all supporting documents (educational, experience, caste, disability certificates, etc.) in PDF format against each claim.
- Pay the applicable application fee online (if not exempted).
- Review all entries carefully — no edit/withdrawal is allowed after final submission.
- Submit the application and download/print the finally submitted Online Recruitment Application for future reference.
Documents Required / Checklist
Candidates must upload self-attested PDF copies of the following documents against each claim made in the application:
- Matriculation/10th Standard certificate (proof of Date of Birth)
- Degree/Diploma certificates (Master’s Degree, B.Ed.)
- Equivalent qualification order/letter (if applicable)
- Experience certificate(s) in prescribed proforma from Head of Organization/Department
- Caste certificate (for SC/ST/OBC candidates) in prescribed proforma
- OBC non-creamy layer declaration (for OBC candidates)
- Disability certificate in prescribed proforma (for PwBD candidates)
- Name change documents, if applicable (marriage/divorce/other)
- Age relaxation certificate (Ex-servicemen, Govt. employees, etc., where applicable)
- Valid Photo ID Card (Aadhaar Card/Voter ID/PAN/Passport/Driving Licence)
Salary / Pay Scale for Principal & Vice Principal
| Post | Pay Level (7th CPC) | Post Nature |
| Principal | Level-12 in the Pay Matrix | General Central Service, Group “A” Gazetted, Non-Ministerial (Permanent, Probation 1 year) |
| Vice Principal | Level-10 in the Pay Matrix | General Central Service, Group “A” Gazetted, Non-Ministerial (Permanent, Probation 1 year) |
UPSC Principal Vice Principal Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
Q1. What is UPSC Special Advertisement No. 51/2026 about?
It invites online applications for 828 vacancies of Principal (124) and Vice Principal (704) in the Education Department, GNCT of Delhi.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for these posts?
The online application closes on 14 August 2026 at 1800 Hrs.
Q3. What is the total number of vacancies?
828 vacancies in total — 124 for Principal and 704 for Vice Principal.
Q4. What is the age limit for Principal post?
50 years for UR/EWS, 53 years for OBC, and 55 years for SC/ST, with further PwBD relaxation up to a maximum of 56 years.
Q5. What is the age limit for Vice Principal post?
35 years for UR/EWS, 38 years for OBC, and 40 years for SC/ST, with further PwBD relaxation up to a maximum of 56 years.
Q6. What qualification is required for Principal post?
Master’s Degree + B.Ed. with 10 years’ teaching experience as Vice Principal/PGT/TGT in a recognized school.
Q7. What qualification is required for Vice Principal post?
Master’s Degree + B.Ed. with 2 years as PGT or 3 years as TGT.
Q8. What is the application fee?
Rs. 25/- for UR/OBC/EWS male candidates; no fee for SC/ST/PwBD candidates and all women candidates.
Q9. What is the selection process?
A Combined Recruitment Test (CRT) of 300 marks followed by an Interview, with CRT and Interview weighted 75:25 for final merit.
Q10. When will the CRT be conducted?
The Combined Recruitment Test is scheduled for 01 November 2026.
Q11. What is the pay scale for these posts?
Principal: Level-12 in the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. Vice Principal: Level-10 in the 7th CPC Pay Matrix.
Q12. How can I apply for UPSC Principal/Vice Principal Recruitment 2026?
Apply online only through upsconline.nic.in/ora/ by completing URN registration, the Common Application Form, and the post-specific module before the closing date.
Important Links
| Link | URL |
| Apply Online | https://upsconline.nic.in/ora/ |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
| Certificate Proformas | https://upsc.gov.in/recruitment/recruitment-performas |
| Helpline Numbers | 011-24041001 / 011-40303444 (10:00 AM – 5:30 PM, working days) |
| Download Notification PDF | Download PDF |
The UPSC Special Advertisement No. 51/2026 offers a golden opportunity for experienced teaching professionals to move into Principal and Vice Principal roles under the Education Department, GNCT of Delhi, with 828 vacancies on offer. Eligible candidates should complete the URN registration and Common Application Form well before the last date of 14 August 2026 to avoid last-minute technical issues.
