The Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB) has officially unveiled its comprehensive examination calendar for the year 2026, providing a crucial roadmap for lakhs of aspirants across the state. This tentative schedule outlines a full year of recruitment drives, entrance examinations, and eligibility tests planned from January to December 2026, bringing much-needed clarity for candidates targeting government employment and professional courses.
Major Recruitment Drives and Tentative Timelines
The calendar, released by the state's premier recruitment body, details an extensive list of examinations with estimated vacancies and result timelines. The year kicks off with significant recruitment processes in early 2026. The Subedar/Sub-Inspector Recruitment Examination – 2025 for 500 posts is slated to begin from January 16, 2026, with results expected by February 2026. This is closely followed by the Group-02 and Group-01 combined recruitment exams for hundreds of posts in late January and February.
Key highlights from the first half of the year include the Staff Nurse Combined Recruitment Examination for 100 posts in February, and the massive Forest Guard, Jail Guard, and Assistant Jail Superintendent Examination for 1426 positions in March. The recruitment for Hospital Assistant, Class IV posts under the Directorate of Health Services, Bhopal, for 1287 vacancies is also scheduled for March.
Entrance and Eligibility Tests Schedule
Beyond direct recruitment, the MPESB calendar is packed with entrance tests for various diploma and professional courses, as well as mandatory eligibility tests for teaching positions. The entrance exam season begins in May 2026 with tests for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Diploma and for Female Health Worker Training Centres.
June 2026 will see a cluster of entrance exams, including the Pre-Nursing Selection Test (GNMTST), Post Basic B.Sc. and M.Sc. Nursing Entrance Examination, and the PAT (Pre-Agriculture Test). For aspiring teachers, the board has scheduled the Secondary Teacher Eligibility Test (STET) in July and the Primary Teacher Eligibility Test (PTET) in August 2026.
Second Half of 2026: Group Posts and Police Recruitment
The recruitment momentum continues in the latter part of the year. September 2026 is marked for the Group-02 Subgroup-02 exam and the Combined Recruitment Examination for Assistant Grade-03 and equivalent posts under Group-04. October 2026 emerges as a crucial month, featuring recruitment tests for Group-01 Subgroup-01, Group-02 Subgroup-01, and the highly anticipated Police Constable Recruitment Examination.
The calendar presents the information in two formats: a detailed list with post counts and result months, and a simplified month-wise schedule specifying the exam type. This dual structure helps candidates easily identify exams relevant to their preparation.
Impact and Significance for Aspirants
The release of this tentative calendar is a significant step towards transparent and planned recruitment by the MPESB. It allows candidates to strategically prepare for multiple examinations throughout the year without date clashes. Aspirants can now prioritize their efforts, manage their study time effectively, and apply for exams well in advance. The continuous schedule from January to December indicates an active year for government hiring in Madhya Pradesh, covering a diverse range of sectors from police and forestry to healthcare, education, and technical departments. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official MPESB website for final notifications, exact dates, and application details as the tentative schedule may be subject to changes.
