Upcoming Nursing Exams 2026-27: Complete Exam Guide to Over 10,000+ Vacancies

For every nursing professional, the dream of securing a prestigious government nursing job is the ultimate career goal. The great news? 2026-27 is a historic opportunity window for nursing aspirants, with 40,000+ upcoming nursing vacancies expected across central and state government institutions.

From multiple AIIMS NORCET cycles to large-scale recruitments by RRB, DSSSB, State Staff Nurse boards, and CHO programs, the next 12-18 months are packed with opportunities you cannot afford to miss.

But with so many upcoming nursing officer exams clustered together, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why this one-stop calendar and guide exists-to help you plan smartly and stay exam-ready.

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The Big Picture: Major Upcoming Nursing Exams 2026-27

Below is the verified, exam-wise breakup based strictly on official vacancy information.

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1. AIIMS NORCET 10 & 11 (7,000+ Posts)

The backbone of central government nursing recruitment, AIIMS NORCET continues to dominate 2026 hiring.

NORCET Cycle	Posts	Key Dates
NORCET 10	4000+	Prelims - April 11, 2026 & Mains - April 30, 2026
NORCET 11	3000+	Prelims - September 13, 2026 & Mains - September 30, 2026

Age Limit: 18-30 years

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2. Community Health Officer (CHO) - States (20,000+ Posts)

The largest recruitment volume in nursing across India.

• CHO (Other States): 10,000-12,000 posts
• MP CHO: 10,179 posts
• Rajasthan CHO: 1,500 posts

Expected Notifications: Jan-Feb / April 2026 (state-wise) Age Limit: Up to 40-43 years (with relaxation)

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3. DSSSB Nursing Officer - Delhi (353 Posts)

A confirmed Delhi government recruitment cycle.

• Posts: 353
• Expected Notification: Jan-Feb 2026
• Age Limit: 18-30 years

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4. SGPGI & KGMU Lucknow (1,900+ Posts)

Major institutional recruitments from Uttar Pradesh.

Institute	Posts	Application Dates	Expected Exam
SGPGI Lucknow	1200	18 June - 31 July 2025	Mid Jan - Feb 2026
KGMU Lucknow	733	From 7 May 2025	Jan / Feb 2026

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5. RRB Nursing Superintendent (772+ Posts)

Two consecutive Railway recruitment cycles.

• RRB Nursing Superintendent 2025: 272 posts
  • Application Last Date: 18 Sept 2025
  • Exam: Feb-March 2026
• RRB Nursing Superintendent 2026: 500+ posts
  • Notification Expected: July 2026

Age Limit: 20-43 years

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6. AIIMS, ESIC & Central Institutions

Recruitment	Posts	Key Details
AIIMS Rewari (Haryana)	100-250	Notification: Jan-Feb 2026
NCI AIIMS Jhajjar	300	Notification: 15-20 March 2026
ESIC Nursing Officer / Staff Nurse	1500	Notification: Feb 2026
BSF Staff Nurse	200-300	Exam: April-May 2026

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7. State Staff Nurse Mega Recruitments

State	Posts	Expected Timeline
Rajasthan	4500+	April 2026
Haryana	501	Feb-March 2026
MP	4423	April 2026
RML	422	March 2026
PGIMER	90	April-May 2026
Himachal Pradesh (Female)	312	April-May 2026

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NPrep Insider’s View: Why One Strategy Doesn’t Fit All

Many aspirants assume preparing for one exam prepares them for all. This is a costly mistake.

• NORCET: Concept-heavy, scenario-based, depth-oriented
• RRB: Speed, accuracy, and non-nursing dominance
• State Staff Nurse / CHO: Direct theory + public health focus

Smart aspirants adjust strategy exam-wise, not syllabus-wise.

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How to Prepare for Upcoming Nursing Officer Exams 2026-27

1. Fix a Primary Exam: NORCET / State Staff Nurse / CHO
2. Align Syllabus Overlaps: Avoid duplicate effort
3. Work Backwards From Exam Dates
4. Mocks in Final 90 Days = Mandatory

Want to dive deeper into exam-specific strategies? Check out our detailed guides:

📌 RRB Nursing Superintendent - 6 Month Strategy 📌 DSSSB Nursing Officer: A Complete Guide

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Never Miss an Exam Deadline - Add to Google Calendar

Click “Add to Google Calendar” to instantly block the exam or application window.

Exam / Event	Date / Window	Add to Google Calendar
AIIMS NORCET 10 Notification	15-20 March 2026	Add to Calandar
AIIMS NORCET 10 Pre Exam	11 April 2026	Add to Calandar
AIIMS NORCET 10 Mains	30 April 2026	Add to Calandar
NORCET 11 Notification	August 2026	Add to Calandar
RRB Nursing Superintendent Exam	Feb-March 2026	Add to Calandar
DSSSB Nursing Officer Notification	Jan-Feb 2026	Add to Calander
SGPGI Application Window	18 Jun - 31 Jul 2025	Add to Calander
KGMU Application Start	7 May 2025	Add to Calander
ESIC Nursing Officer Notification	Feb 2026	Add to Calander
BSF Staff Nurse Exam Window	Apr-May 2026	Add to Calander
CHO Recruitment Notification	Jan-Feb 2026	Add to Calander
Rajasthan Staff Nurse Recruitment	April 2026	Add to Calander

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Why This Calendar Matters

This is not just a list of exams. It is a career execution roadmap.

With 40,000+ nursing vacancies in 2026, the opportunity is real-but only prepared candidates convert vacancies into jobs.

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Final Word

The 2026-27 cycle is a once-in-a-decade opportunity for nursing aspirants. Whether it’s AIIMS NORCET, RRB, CHO, or State Staff Nurse, the window is open-but it won’t stay open forever.

A goal without a plan is just a wish.

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