Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB) has announced major changes for the upcoming CET 2026 examination, bringing important updates for lakhs of government job aspirants across Rajasthan.

From the introduction of negative marking to increasing the overall difficulty level of the exam, the new system is expected to make the recruitment process more competitive and merit-focused.

Candidates preparing for state government jobs are being advised to carefully understand the revised rules before beginning their preparation.

CET Qualification Now Mandatory for Several Major Recruitment Exams

Under the revised system, only candidates who successfully clear the CET examination will be eligible to apply for several important state recruitment posts.

According to reports, CET qualification will now be necessary for recruitment exams related to:

• Patwari
• Village Development Officer (VDO)
• LDC (Lower Division Clerk)
• Police Constable
• Junior Accountant
• Platoon Commander
• Hostel Superintendent

The move is aimed at streamlining the recruitment process and creating a common eligibility system for multiple government vacancies.

CET 2026 Exam Schedule and Application Timeline

RSSB officials have reportedly proposed the following examination schedule:

CET Graduate Level Examination

• Expected Exam Date: November 2026
• Likely Application Start: June 2026

CET Senior Secondary Level Examination

• Expected Exam Date: December 2026
• Likely Application Start: July 2026

The official notification and detailed application process are expected to be released soon.

Negative Marking Introduced in CET

One of the biggest changes announced for CET 2026 is the introduction of negative marking.

RSSB Chairman Alok Raj reportedly confirmed that candidates will now lose marks for incorrect answers.

Although detailed marking rules are yet to be officially released, the introduction of negative marking is expected to significantly change exam strategy for candidates.

Experts believe students will now need to:

• Avoid random guessing
• Focus more on accuracy
• Improve conceptual understanding
• Practice time management carefully

Exam Difficulty Level Also Increased

Apart from negative marking, the board has also decided to increase the overall difficulty level of the examination compared to previous years.

According to officials, the goal is to ensure:

• Greater transparency
• Fair merit-based selection
• Better filtering of candidates
• Improved recruitment quality

The revised format is expected to create tougher competition among aspirants preparing for government jobs in Rajasthan.

Board Aims to Shortlist 3–4 Lakh Candidates

Reports suggest the board plans to shortlist approximately 3 to 4 lakh eligible candidates through the CET examination process.

The CET system is being viewed as an important step toward reducing repetitive examinations and creating a centralized screening mechanism for multiple government vacancies.

Candidates Were Waiting for Official Clarity

There had been considerable uncertainty among students regarding:

• Negative marking
• Exam pattern changes
• Difficulty level
• Eligibility criteria

The latest clarification from RSSB has now provided official confirmation regarding these major changes.

Competition Expected to Increase Further

With the introduction of stricter evaluation methods, experts believe competition for Rajasthan government jobs may become even more intense.

Candidates may now need to focus on:

• Accuracy over guesswork
• Strong conceptual preparation
• Mock tests with negative marking practice
• Detailed syllabus coverage

Many coaching institutes are also expected to revise preparation strategies according to the new pattern.

Important Advice for Aspirants

Students preparing for CET 2026 are advised to:

• Regularly check official RSSB notifications
• Understand the updated exam pattern carefully
• Prepare with negative marking in mind
• Avoid relying only on shortcut methods

Since CET qualification will act as a gateway for several major government recruitment exams, performance in the test will play a crucial role in future job opportunities.

The revised CET system signals a major shift in Rajasthan’s recruitment process and is expected to impact lakhs of aspirants across the state.