The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) has announced the examination schedule for Assistant Director and Senior Scientific Officer competitive examinations under the Home Department. The examinations will be conducted from 13 October to 16 October 2026 for different scientific divisions.
Along with the subject-wise schedule, RPSC has announced an important change in the mode of examination. The Commission had earlier proposed conducting these examinations through the Computer-Based Recruitment Test (CBRT), but they will now be held offline in pen-and-paper mode for administrative reasons.
The schedule covers nine examinations for Assistant Director and Senior Scientific Officer posts across DNA, Physics, Biology, Ballistics, Chemistry, Narcotics, Serology, and Toxicology divisions.
Table of Contents
RPSC Scientific Officer Exam 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Commission | Rajasthan Public Service Commission |
| Department | Home Department |
| Posts | Assistant Director and Senior Scientific Officer |
| Exam Schedule | 13 to 16 Oct 2026 |
| Earlier Exam Mode | CBRT |
| Revised Exam Mode | Pen-Paper Mode |
| Number of Scheduled Papers | 9 |
| Latest Notice Date | 14 Sep 2026 |
The biggest change for candidates is the examination mode. Those preparing for a computer-based test should now adjust their strategy for an offline pen-and-paper examination.
RPSC has not changed the dates announced in the press note. Candidates should therefore prepare according to their respective subjects and shift while keeping the revised examination format in mind.
Exam Schedule
The examinations will begin on 13 October and continue until 16 October 2026.
| Post/Division | Exam Date | Exam Time |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Director, DNA Division 2025 | 13 Oct 2026 | 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Senior Scientific Officer, Physics Division 2026 | 13 Oct 2026 | 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Senior Scientific Officer, Biology Division 2025 | 13 Oct 2026 | 03:00 PM to 05:30 PM |
| Senior Scientific Officer, Ballistics Division 2026 | 13 Oct 2026 | 03:00 PM to 05:30 PM |
| Senior Scientific Officer, DNA Division 2025 | 14 Oct 2026 | 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Senior Scientific Officer, Chemistry Division 2025 | 14 Oct 2026 | 03:00 PM to 05:30 PM |
| Senior Scientific Officer, Narcotics Division 2025 | 15 Oct 2026 | 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Senior Scientific Officer, Serology Division 2025 | 15 Oct 2026 | 03:00 PM to 05:30 PM |
| Senior Scientific Officer, Toxicology Division 2026 | 16 Oct 2026 | 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM |
RPSC Changes Exam Mode From CBRT to Offline
RPSC had initially planned to conduct these recruitment examinations through the Computer-Based Recruitment Test system.
The Commission has now revised that arrangement and decided to conduct all the examinations listed in the 14 September notice through offline pen-and-paper mode.
The official press note attributes the change to administrative reasons. No further changes in the examination schedule have been mentioned.
Candidates who have been practicing primarily on computer-based mock tests should therefore become comfortable solving questions and managing time in a conventional written examination environment.
Exams to Be Conducted Across Four Days
The first set of examinations will be held on 13 October 2026 in two shifts.
The morning shift from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM will include the Assistant Director, DNA Division 2025 examination and Senior Scientific Officer, Physics Division 2026 examination.
The afternoon shift from 03:00 PM to 05:30 PM will cover Senior Scientific Officer, Biology Division 2025, and Senior Scientific Officer, Ballistics Division 2026.
On 14 October, the Senior Scientific Officer, DNA Division 2025 examination will be held in the morning, followed by Chemistry Division 2025 in the afternoon.
The Narcotics and Serology Division examinations are scheduled for 15 October, while the Toxicology Division examination will conclude the schedule on 16 October.
Why the Mode Change Matters
The shift from CBRT to pen-paper mode does not merely change the method of answering questions. Candidates may need to adjust their test-taking habits, including question navigation, time allocation, and answer marking.
Those accustomed to navigating between questions digitally should practice maintaining accuracy and speed without relying on an on-screen interface.
The Commission’s latest notice only confirms the revised mode and subject-wise timetable. Candidates should rely on future official instructions for any further procedural details relating to the examination.
