DGQA Technician Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026: Complete Guide
The DGQA Technician Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026 is an important resource for candidates preparing for Technician (Skilled) and Technician (Semi-Skilled) recruitment under the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Understanding the examination structure, subject-wise syllabus, marking scheme and trade test requirements can help candidates prepare strategically and improve their chances of selection.
The written examination generally assesses candidates’ knowledge of General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, English Language and Comprehension, and Numerical Aptitude. Candidates shortlisted through the written examination may subsequently be called for a trade test, which evaluates their practical suitability for the relevant post.
For the 2026 recruitment, published recruitment information describes an objective-type written examination carrying 100 marks, followed by a trade test. Candidates should verify the applicable advertisement for their particular establishment and trade before relying on these details.
DGQA Technician Recruitment 2026: Apply for 32 Posts
This guide explains the written examination pattern, subject-wise syllabus, trade test, selection process and preparation strategy in a structured, publication-ready format.
DGQA Technician Exam 2026: Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting organisation | Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Defence, Government of India |
| Post | Technician (Skilled) / Technician (Semi-Skilled), as applicable |
| Recruitment category | Group C, Non-Ministerial, Industrial, as specified in the advertisement |
| Written examination | Objective-type multiple-choice questions |
| Total written questions | 100 |
| Total written marks | 100 |
| Reported examination duration | 90 minutes |
| Subjects | Reasoning, General Awareness, English, Numerical Aptitude |
| Negative marking | No negative marking, as specified in the referenced 2026 notices |
| Next stage | Trade test for shortlisted candidates |
| Interview | Not indicated in the referenced recruitment notices |
| Final selection | As prescribed in the applicable recruitment advertisement |
Source note: The examination details above reflect available 2026 recruitment information. The specific advertisement applicable to the candidate takes precedence if any detail differs.
DGQA Technician Selection Process 2026
The selection process consists of the stages prescribed in the relevant recruitment notification. For the Technician recruitment covered by the available 2026 notices, the principal stages are the written examination and trade test, followed by the applicable verification and appointment formalities.
1. Written Examination
The written examination is designed to evaluate a candidate’s general aptitude, basic English proficiency, numerical ability and awareness of current and general topics. The reported paper contains 100 objective questions carrying one mark each.
Candidates should focus on accuracy, time management and familiarity with matriculation-level concepts.
2. Trade Test
Candidates shortlisted based on their written examination performance and the applicable selection criteria are called for the trade test. This stage evaluates practical skills relevant to the advertised trade.
For example, a candidate applying for a fitter-related position should be familiar with workshop tools, measuring instruments, mechanical components and basic fitting operations. An electrician-related candidate should prepare for fundamental electrical concepts, tools, safety precautions and practical procedures relevant to the post.
The referenced 2026 recruitment information describes a trade test worth 100 marks, with a minimum qualifying score of 40 marks. Candidates must confirm the applicable requirements in their own advertisement.
3. Document Verification and Other Formalities
Candidates who qualify at the required stages may need to provide original certificates and supporting documents. These can include educational certificates, ITI or trade qualifications, proof of date of birth, category certificates where applicable, identity documents and other records requested by the recruiting authority.
Any medical examination or other appointment-related requirement will be governed by the relevant notification and departmental instructions.
DGQA Technician Exam Pattern 2026
The written examination pattern outlined in the referenced recruitment advertisement is given below. Candidates should use this table to understand the distribution of marks and plan their preparation accordingly.
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| II | General Awareness | 25 | 25 |
| III | English Language and Comprehension | 25 | 25 |
| IV | Numerical Aptitude | 25 | 25 |
| Total | Four subjects | 100 | 100 |
Examination Duration
90 minutesQuestion Format
Objective type MCQQuestion Paper Language
Parts I, II and IV: English and Hindi. Part III: English only.Negative Marking
No negative marking for incorrect answers, according to the referenced notification.How should candidates interpret the marking scheme?
Each question carries one mark, making the written examination worth 100 marks in total. With 90 minutes available for 100 questions, candidates have an average of approximately 54 seconds per question.
This does not mean every question should receive exactly the same amount of time. Straightforward questions should be solved quickly, while calculations or difficult reasoning problems may require additional attention. Since the referenced notice specifies no negative marking, candidates should try to attempt all questions after eliminating clearly incorrect options.
DGQA Technician Syllabus 2026: Subject-Wise Topics
The recruitment advertisement states that the written examination syllabus will be based on the educational qualification prescribed for the post. It identifies the four examination subjects but does not provide a complete, chapter-by-chapter topic list in the examination scheme.
The following subject-wise guide covers commonly relevant matriculation-level topics for preparation. Treat it as a suggested study checklist, not as a verbatim official syllabus. Any detailed syllabus supplied with the applicable recruitment notice or examination instructions should take priority.
1. General Intelligence and Reasoning Syllabus
General Intelligence and Reasoning evaluates logical thinking, pattern recognition, analytical ability and the capacity to identify relationships between figures, numbers and words.
Candidates should practise the following topics:
| Topic | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Analogy | Word, number and figure analogies |
| Classification | Identifying the odd item out |
| Number series | Missing numbers and numerical patterns |
| Alphabet series | Letter sequences and alphabetical positions |
| Coding-Decoding | Letter, number and symbol coding |
| Direction and distance | Directions, turns and distance-based problems |
| Blood relations | Family relationships and relational puzzles |
| Ranking and order | Position, rank and ordering problems |
| Mathematical operations | Questions based on changed or coded operations |
| Venn diagrams | Relationships among groups and categories |
| Syllogism | Basic logical conclusions |
| Non-verbal reasoning | Figure series, pattern completion and classification |
| Mirror and water images | Visual reflection questions |
| Paper folding and cutting | Basic spatial reasoning |
| Statement-based reasoning | Simple conclusions and logical deductions |
How to prepare for Reasoning
Start with analogy, classification, number series and coding-decoding because these topics help build the basic skills required for more complex questions. Move on to direction sense, blood relations and non-verbal reasoning after becoming comfortable with the fundamentals.
Practise questions with a timer. If a particular question takes too long, mark it for review and move to the next one. Maintain a notebook of mistakes so that recurring errors become easier to identify.
2. General Awareness Syllabus
General Awareness tests familiarity with general knowledge, important events and basic facts about India and the world. Candidates should build a strong foundation in static general knowledge while also keeping up with current affairs.
| Topic | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Indian history | Ancient, medieval and modern Indian history |
| Indian national movement | Major movements, leaders and historical events |
| Geography | Indian states, rivers, mountains, climate and resources |
| Indian polity | Constitution, fundamental rights, Parliament and government |
| Indian economy | Basic economic concepts, banking and national economic developments |
| General science | Fundamental concepts in physics, chemistry and biology |
| Environment | Ecosystems, biodiversity, pollution and conservation |
| Important days | National and international observances |
| Awards and honours | Major awards and their recipients |
| Sports | Important tournaments, players and achievements |
| Books and authors | Notable publications and writers |
| Government schemes | Major central government schemes and their objectives |
| Defence awareness | Indian Armed Forces, major defence organisations and important developments |
| Current affairs | Important national and international events |
How to prepare for General Awareness
Read a reliable daily news summary and revise it regularly rather than trying to memorise every headline. Give particular attention to major national developments, science and technology, defence-related news, government initiatives and important appointments.
For static GK, study one subject at a time. Revise history, geography, polity and general science using short notes, then solve topic-wise multiple-choice questions.
Candidates should avoid depending entirely on current affairs because static knowledge is also an important part of general awareness preparation.
3. English Language and Comprehension Syllabus
The English section assesses basic grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure and reading comprehension. Since the examination paper’s English section is in English only, candidates should practise reading and understanding questions directly in English.
| Topic | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Grammar | Basic rules of English grammar |
| Parts of speech | Nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs and other parts of speech |
| Tenses | Present, past and future tense forms |
| Subject-verb agreement | Correct agreement between subjects and verbs |
| Articles | Correct use of a, an and the |
| Prepositions | Appropriate prepositions in sentences |
| Conjunctions | Connecting words and clauses |
| Error spotting | Identifying grammatical errors |
| Sentence improvement | Correcting and improving sentences |
| Fill in the blanks | Vocabulary and grammar-based questions |
| Synonyms | Words with similar meanings |
| Antonyms | Words with opposite meanings |
| Spelling | Correctly spelled words |
| Idioms and phrases | Common expressions and their meanings |
| One-word substitution | Replacing phrases with appropriate words |
| Sentence arrangement | Arranging words or sentences logically |
| Reading comprehension | Understanding passages and answering questions |
How to prepare for English
Build your preparation around grammar, vocabulary and reading practice. Learn a small number of new words every day and revise them frequently. Solve error-spotting and fill-in-the-blank questions to strengthen your understanding of grammar rules.
Reading short newspaper articles or passages can improve comprehension speed. After reading, try to identify the central idea, supporting details and meanings of unfamiliar words from context.
Candidates who struggle with English should begin with basic grammar before moving to timed practice sets.
4. Numerical Aptitude Syllabus
Numerical Aptitude measures calculation skills, numerical reasoning and the ability to solve basic mathematical problems. Candidates should revise fundamental arithmetic concepts and practise applying them accurately under time pressure.
| Topic | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Number system | Integers, fractions, decimals and basic number properties |
| Simplification | Arithmetic operations and order of operations |
| HCF and LCM | Highest common factor and lowest common multiple |
| Percentage | Percentage calculations and applications |
| Ratio and proportion | Direct ratios, proportions and comparisons |
| Average | Arithmetic mean and related problems |
| Profit and loss | Cost price, selling price, profit and loss |
| Discount | Marked price and discount calculations |
| Simple interest | Principal, rate, time and interest |
| Compound interest | Basic compound-interest calculations |
| Time and work | Work efficiency and combined work |
| Pipes and cisterns | Filling and emptying problems |
| Time, speed and distance | Speed, distance and travel-time calculations |
| Mensuration | Basic perimeter, area and volume |
| Basic algebra | Simple equations and algebraic expressions |
| Geometry | Fundamental geometric concepts and figures |
| Data interpretation | Reading tables, charts and simple graphs |
| Age problems | Age-based arithmetic questions |
How to prepare for Numerical Aptitude
Begin with percentages, ratios, averages, simplification and number systems. These topics provide a useful foundation for profit and loss, interest, time and work, and data interpretation.
Memorise essential arithmetic formulas, but do not rely on memorisation alone. Practise solving questions using both standard methods and efficient calculations. Review mistakes involving units, decimal placement, fractions and arithmetic operations.
A daily practice session should include both untimed learning exercises and timed question sets. The aim is to improve speed without sacrificing accuracy.
DGQA Technician Trade Test 2026: Practical Examination
The trade test is an important stage for candidates shortlisted after the written examination. Its purpose is to evaluate practical competence and familiarity with the work associated with the advertised trade.
The exact tasks may vary according to the post, establishment and instructions issued by DGQA. Candidates should therefore avoid preparing for a generic practical test alone and should revise the skills relevant to their own trade.
Trade-wise preparation guide
The trade test assesses practical competence and familiarity with work associated with the advertised trade. Focus on the skills and duties specified in your recruitment notification.
Technician (Skilled/Semi-Skilled), Fitter Auto
Revise basic automobile components, engine fundamentals, hand tools, measuring instruments, workshop practices, routine inspection procedures and workshop safety. Practise identifying components and understanding their functions.
Technician (Skilled/Semi-Skilled), Electrician
Review electrical fundamentals, circuit diagrams, electrical tools, measuring instruments, wiring principles, continuity testing, earthing and electrical safety. Practise explaining basic procedures and interpreting simple circuits.
Technician (Semi-Skilled), Labourer
Revise the duties specified for the advertised post, safe handling of materials, basic workplace practices, housekeeping, following instructions and the appropriate use of tools or equipment where relevant.
DGQA Technician Preparation Strategy 2026
A structured preparation plan can help candidates cover all four written examination subjects while retaining sufficient time for practical trade preparation.
The following four-week schedule is a suggested plan, not an official timetable.
01
Week
Build your foundation
Study basic reasoning, number systems, percentages, English grammar and static general knowledge. Identify weak subjects through a short diagnostic test.
02
Week
Cover the core topics
Practise coding-decoding, series, arithmetic, comprehension, vocabulary, Indian polity, geography and general science. Begin reviewing trade-related technical concepts.
03
Week
Practise under time limits
Attempt subject-wise tests, solve mixed question sets and revise mistakes. Start completing 100-question practice papers within 90 minutes.
04
Week
Revise and assess
Take full-length mock tests, revisit difficult formulas and grammar rules, review current affairs and practise trade-specific fundamentals. Avoid spending excessive time on topics you already understand.
Suggested daily study timetable
Candidates can adjust the allocation below according to their available time and performance in practice tests.
| Subject or activity | Daily time |
|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 45 minutes |
| General Awareness | 45 minutes |
| English Language and Comprehension | 30 minutes |
| Numerical Aptitude | 60 minutes |
| Trade-specific preparation | 30 minutes |
| Revision and practice questions | 30 minutes |
| Total | 4 hours |
If the written examination is approaching, prioritise timed mock tests and revision. If you are already confident in the written subjects, devote additional time to practical preparation for your advertised trade.
Important Books and Study Resources
Candidates can use the following resources to build their preparation. These are suggested study materials, not an official DGQA-recommended book list.
| Subject | Suggested resource |
|---|---|
| Reasoning | A standard verbal and non-verbal reasoning book |
| General Awareness | NCERT school-level history, geography, polity and science materials |
| English | A basic English grammar and objective English practice book |
| Numerical Aptitude | A standard arithmetic and quantitative aptitude book |
| Trade test | ITI textbooks, workshop manuals and relevant practical notes |
| Mock tests | Matriculation-level objective question papers and timed practice sets |
Use mock tests to identify gaps rather than simply counting scores. If you repeatedly make mistakes in percentages or subject-verb agreement, revisit those concepts before attempting another full-length paper.
Important Instructions for DGQA Technician Candidates
Before appearing for the examination, candidates should check their admit card and the applicable recruitment notice for the exact date, reporting time, venue and permitted items.
Keep the following points in mind:
- Carry the admit card and the identification documents specified in the examination instructions.
- Follow the prescribed reporting time and examination-centre rules.
- Do not carry prohibited electronic devices or unauthorised material into the examination hall.
- Keep original educational and trade qualification certificates ready for verification.
- Prepare for the trade test according to the post and trade for which you applied.
- Check official communications for changes in examination dates or other instructions.
The recruitment advertisement states that the exact examination date, time and venue will be communicated through the admit card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| 1. What is the DGQA Technician Exam Pattern 2026? |
|---|
| The referenced recruitment advertisement specifies an objective-type written examination consisting of 100 questions for 100 marks. It covers General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, English Language and Comprehension, and Numerical Aptitude, with 25 questions per subject. The reported duration is 90 minutes. |
| 2. What is the DGQA Technician Syllabus 2026? |
| The written examination covers four subjects: Reasoning, General Awareness, English Language and Comprehension, and Numerical Aptitude. The recruitment notice bases the syllabus on the educational qualification prescribed for the post. Candidates should confirm any additional subject-specific instructions in their applicable notification. |
| 3. Is there negative marking in the DGQA Technician written examination? |
| No. The referenced 2026 recruitment advertisement specifies that no marks will be deducted for incorrect answers. Candidates should nevertheless read the instructions printed on their examination materials. |
| 4. What is the duration of the DGQA Technician examination? |
| The written examination duration specified in the referenced advertisement is 90 minutes. Candidates should plan to manage 100 questions within this period. |
| 5. How many marks are allotted to each subject? |
| Each of the four subjects carries 25 marks. The written examination therefore has 100 questions carrying 100 marks in total. |
| 6. Is the DGQA Technician examination conducted in Hindi? |
| The referenced notice specifies that General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, and Numerical Aptitude are available in English and Hindi. English Language and Comprehension is conducted in English only. |
| 7. Is there a trade test for DGQA Technician recruitment? |
| Yes. Candidates shortlisted in the written examination are called for a trade test under the referenced recruitment scheme. The practical assessment is relevant to the advertised post and trade. |
| 8. What is the qualifying mark for the DGQA Technician trade test? |
| The referenced advertisement specifies a trade test worth 100 marks, with 40 marks as the minimum qualifying score. Candidates should verify the requirements applicable to their specific recruitment notice. |
| 9. Is there an interview for DGQA Technician recruitment? |
| The referenced 2026 recruitment advertisement states that there will be no interview. Selection proceeds through the prescribed written examination and trade test, followed by the applicable verification and appointment formalities. |
| 10. What is the best way to prepare for the DGQA Technician examination? |
| Start by understanding the four written examination subjects, then practise matriculation-level questions in each subject. Take timed mock tests, revise weak areas and prepare practical skills relevant to your advertised trade. |
| 11. Where can candidates check the official DGQA Technician examination details? |
| Candidates should refer to the recruitment advertisement issued by the relevant Controllerate of Quality Assurance or DGQA establishment and follow the instructions communicated through official recruitment correspondence and the admit card. |
The DGQA Technician Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026 provides a useful framework for planning written examination preparation and trade-specific practice. Candidates should focus on all four written subjects, improve their speed through timed question sets and prepare for the practical assessment relevant to their post.
The most important step is to verify the examination scheme against the exact recruitment advertisement for which you applied. This prevents confusion caused by differences between establishments, trades or recruitment notices and ensures that your preparation remains aligned with the applicable selection process.
Editorial verification note: The examination pattern and trade test details in this article are based on the available 2026 recruitment advertisement. The subject-wise topic lists are suggested preparation areas rather than an official, exhaustive chapter-wise syllabus. Before publication, link to the exact official DGQA advertisement wherever available, and update this article if the recruiting authority issues revised instructions.