APSC CCE Mains 2026: Admit Card, Exam Dates, Timetable, Syllabus & Pattern

The Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) has confirmed that the APSC CCE Mains 2026 will be held from 9 to 11 October 2026 at the Guwahati centre. The paper-wise timetable is out, and the e-Admission Certificates for the Combined Competitive (Main) Examination, 2025 were scheduled for upload on 19 September. Here is a complete, easy-to-scan breakdown of the timetable, admit card process, eligibility, vacancies, exam pattern and syllabus.

APSC CCE Mains 2026: Important Dates

The Commission issued the detailed Mains schedule on 5 September 2026, in continuation of its 31 July 2026 notification. All dates below follow those notices.

APSC CCE Mains 2026 Exam Timetable

The exam is held in two sessions each day. The forenoon session runs from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and the afternoon session from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM, exclusively at the Guwahati centre.

APSC CCE Mains Admit Card (e-Admission Certificate)

APSC issues an e-Admission Certificate instead of a physical admit card. Per the Commission’s notices, it is not sent by post, and candidates must download it themselves.

1. Visit the official APSC website, apsc.nic.in.
2. Open the notice for the Combined Competitive (Main) Examination, 2025 and check the list of candidates with roll numbers.
3. Download your e-Admission Certificate using your login details (application ID or roll number and date of birth).
4. Check your name, roll number, exam centre, photo and signature. If anything is wrong, email the Commission and request a correction.
5. Print at least two copies and carry one, along with a valid photo ID, to every session.

Eligibility Criteria

Only candidates who qualified the APSC CCE Preliminary Examination, 2025 could apply for the Mains. The criteria in the notification were:

• Educational qualification: A bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. Final-year candidates awaiting results may also have applied but must submit their final degree or marksheet at the time of Mains document verification.
• Nationality & domicile: Must be an Indian citizen and an original inhabitant of Assam.
• Language: Proficiency in Assamese, or another official/associate official language of the state, is required.
• Age limit: Between 21 and 38 years as on 1 January 2026, with the following relaxations:
  • SC / ST(P) / ST(H): up to 43 years
  • OBC / MOBC: up to 41 years
  • PwBD: up to 48 years

APSC CCE 2025-26 Vacancy Details

A total of 78 vacancies have been notified across 11 state services under Advertisement No. 01/2026. Assam Civil Service (Junior Grade) accounts for the largest share of posts.

Figures are drawn from the Commission’s notification summaries and may be revised; confirm exact, category-wise numbers in the official PDF on apsc.nic.in.

APSC CCE Mains Exam Pattern 2026

The Mains is a fully descriptive examination. There is no optional subject and no negative marking. Candidates may write their answers in English or Assamese.

Total: 1500 marks across six papers, spread over three days in two sessions. The Assam-specific General Studies V paper covers the history, geography, polity, economy, culture, biodiversity and disaster management of the state. The Essay paper is evaluated on clarity of thought, structure of argument and command over language.

Candidates who clear the written stage are called for an Interview / Personality Test worth 180 marks, in a ratio of roughly 1:3 against advertised vacancies. Final ranking is based on combined Mains (written) and Interview marks.

APSC CCE Mains Syllabus: Broad Coverage

• History: Ancient, medieval and modern Indian history, with emphasis on Assam and the Northeast.
• Polity & Governance: Indian Constitution, governance structures, public policy, rights issues.
• Geography: Physical, economic and social geography of India and Assam.
• Economy: Indian economic development, planning, and Assam’s economy.
• Environment & Disaster Management: Ecology, biodiversity, climate issues, and disaster management relevant to Assam.
• Current Affairs: National and state-level developments, government schemes, and Assam-specific issues.
• Essay: Analytical and issue-based writing on general and Assam-relevant topics.

Important Links

Bookmark these official links for the latest APSC CCE Mains 2026 updates.

Last-Mile Preparation Tips for APSC CCE Mains

• Study the timetable paper by paper. Two 3-hour papers run back-to-back each day, so practise writing two full papers in one day at least once before the exam.
• Practise timed answer-writing with a strict per-question time budget so you can attempt every question within 3 hours.
• Revise your Assam-specific fact sheet daily, since General Studies V and several current-affairs questions carry a strong state angle.
• Break down each question by its directive word (discuss, examine, analyse, evaluate) and address every part of a multi-part question.
• Structure answers with a clear introduction, point-wise body, and a crisp conclusion.
• Plan your travel and stay in Guwahati early, since the exam is held only at that centre.

This article is compiled from publicly available reports on the APSC CCE Mains 2026 schedule for general informational purposes. Vacancy figures, dates and instructions are subject to revision by the Commission. Candidates should always verify final details from the official APSC notification and website (apsc.nic.in) before making preparation or travel decisions.