The Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) has officially announced the Research Officer, Class-2 recruitment under the General Administration Department through Advertisement No. 23/2026-27. A total of 20 vacancies have been released for eligible postgraduate candidates. The preliminary examination is scheduled for 26 July 2026, while the tentative main examination date is 29 September 2026.
Overview of GPSC Research Officer Recruitment 2026
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) |
| Post Name | Research Officer, Class-2 |
| Advertisement No. | 23/2026-27 |
| Department | General Administration Department |
| Total Vacancies | 20 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate Degree with minimum 55% marks |
| Experience | Not Required |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 26 July 2026 |
| Main Exam Date (Tentative) | 29 September 2026 |
Source: GPSC Recruitment Notification 2026.
GPSC Research Officer Class-2 Selection Process
The recruitment process generally consists of:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Document Verification
- Final Merit List
Candidates must qualify each stage to move to the next phase.
GPSC Research Officer Preliminary Exam Syllabus
General Studies
The preliminary examination generally tests candidates’ knowledge in:
Indian History
- Ancient India
- Medieval India
- Modern India
- Indian Freedom Movement
- Important Historical Events
Geography
- Physical Geography
- Indian Geography
- Gujarat Geography
- Environment and Ecology
Indian Polity
- Constitution of India
- Fundamental Rights and Duties
- Parliament and State Legislature
- Panchayati Raj
- Governance and Public Administration
Economy
- Indian Economy
- Economic Planning
- Budget and Fiscal Policy
- Banking System
- Inflation and Employment
Science and Technology
- Basic Science
- Current Scientific Developments
- Information Technology
- Space and Biotechnology
Current Affairs
- National Current Events
- International Affairs
- Government Schemes
- Economic and Social Issues
- Gujarat Current Affairs
Mental Ability & Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning
- Analytical Ability
- Data Interpretation
- Numerical Aptitude

Research Officer Subject-Specific Topics
As the post is research-oriented, candidates should focus on:
Research Methodology
- Types of Research
- Research Design
- Sampling Techniques
- Hypothesis Formulation
- Data Collection Methods
- Questionnaire Design
Statistics
- Measures of Central Tendency
- Dispersion
- Correlation
- Regression Analysis
- Probability
- Hypothesis Testing
- Time Series Analysis
Data Analysis
- Quantitative Research
- Qualitative Research
- Statistical Software Basics
- Data Interpretation
Public Policy & Governance
- Policy Analysis
- Government Program Evaluation
- Administrative Reforms
- Development Studies
Social and Economic Research
- Survey Methods
- Socio-Economic Indicators
- Rural and Urban Development
- Human Development Index

Recommended Books
General Studies
- NCERT Books (Class 6–12)
- Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
- Spectrum Modern History
- Gujarat State Board Reference Books
Research Methodology
- Research Methodology by C.R. Kothari
- Research Methods by Ranjit Kumar
Statistics
- Fundamentals of Statistics by S.C. Gupta
- Statistics for Research by Levin & Rubin
Current Affairs
- Yojana Magazine
- Kurukshetra Magazine
- Daily Newspaper Reading
Preparation Strategy
First Month
- Complete Research Methodology basics.
- Revise General Studies fundamentals.
- Start Current Affairs notes.
Second Month
- Focus on Statistics and Data Analysis.
- Solve previous-year GPSC questions.
- Practice mock tests.
Third Month
- Full-length mock tests.
- Revision of important topics.
- Improve time management and accuracy.
Important Dates
- Online Application Start: 05 June 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 19 June 2026
- Preliminary Exam: 26 July 2026
- Main Exam (Tentative): 29 September 2026
Conclusion
The GPSC Research Officer Class-2 examination is an excellent opportunity for postgraduate candidates interested in policy research, data analysis, and government administration. A strong command of General Studies, Research Methodology, Statistics, and Current Affairs will significantly improve your chances of success. Begin preparation early and focus on consistent revision and mock-test practice for the best results.


