A process is disclosed for preparing a heterocyclic aldehyde by oxidizing a heterocyclic alcohol with high selectivity and high yield. Specifically, the heterocyclic aldehyde is prepared by reacting a heterocyclic compound having at least one hydroxymethyl group bonded to a carbon atom of a heterocyclic ring with a hypohalogenous acid salt in the presence of a base to oxidize the hydroxymethyl group, wherein reaction is conducted in the co-presence of a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl derivative having at least two 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl-4-yl groups.