The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission has released the official UPSSSC PET 2026 notification under Advertisement No. 16-Exam/2026. Candidates who want to participate in future UPSSSC recruitments for eligible Group C posts must register for the Preliminary Eligibility Test through the official commission website.
Online registration, application submission and fee payment started on 3 August 2026. The final date to complete the application and pay the prescribed fee is 1 September 2026. Candidates who need to correct permitted details or reconcile their fee can do so until 8 September 2026.
Applicants must complete the commission’s One Time Registration before applying. Applications submitted through any offline method will not be accepted.
The PET is an eligibility and shortlisting examination. Merely applying for or appearing in PET 2026 does not create a right to appointment. Candidates will later need to satisfy the qualification, age, experience and other conditions stated in each post-specific main-examination notification.
UPSSSC PET 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination authority | Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission |
| Examination name | Preliminary Eligibility Test 2026 |
| Common name | UPSSSC PET 2026 |
| Advertisement number | 16-Exam/2026 |
| Notification date | 1 August 2026 |
| Application mode | Online |
| OTR requirement | Mandatory |
| Minimum qualification | High School or equivalent |
| General age limit | 18 to 40 years |
| Age calculation date | 1 July 2026 |
| Total questions | 100 |
| Maximum marks | 100 |
| Examination duration | 2 hours |
| Negative marking | 0.25 mark for every incorrect answer |
| Score validity | Three years from the date the result is issued or uploaded |
| Examination date | To be announced |
| Official website | https://upsssc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement published | 1 August 2026 |
| Online registration begins | 3 August 2026 |
| Application fee payment begins | 3 August 2026 |
| Last date to register | 1 September 2026 |
| Last date to submit the application | 1 September 2026 |
| Last date to pay the application fee | 1 September 2026 |
| Online correction facility begins | 10 August 2026 |
| Last date for correction and fee reconciliation | 8 September 2026 |
| PET 2026 examination date | To be announced |
| Admit card release | To be announced |
Applicants should avoid waiting until the last day. The application process is considered complete only after the fee has been successfully paid or reconciled and the detailed application form has been downloaded or printed.
Why UPSSSC PET 2026 Is Required
The Uttar Pradesh government follows a two-stage examination system for eligible Group C direct-recruitment posts handled by UPSSSC. Under this system, candidates first participate in the Preliminary Eligibility Test. The commission later issues separate advertisements for post-specific main examinations.
Candidates may be shortlisted for those main examinations using their valid PET score, subject to the rules and eligibility requirements mentioned in the relevant advertisement.
Where a candidate has more than one valid PET score at the time of applying for a future main examination, the commission may allow the candidate to use the highest valid normalized score. Shortlisting will be based on the valid score selected according to the applicable rules.
Registration for PET 2026, participation in the examination or issuance of a scorecard does not guarantee selection for any post.
UPSSSC PET 2026 Eligibility
Educational qualification
A candidate must have passed the High School examination or an equivalent recognised qualification on or before the final application date.
Candidates who have not obtained the minimum qualification by 1 September 2026 are not eligible to apply.
The PET notification establishes the minimum qualification for the eligibility examination. A future Group C recruitment may prescribe a higher qualification, specialised subject, diploma, certificate, experience or physical standard. Candidates must satisfy those separate conditions before applying for the relevant main examination.
Age limit
Candidates must have completed 18 years of age and must not have attained more than 40 years of age as of 1 July 2026.
| Requirement | Age |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 years |
| General maximum age | 40 years |
| Cut-off date | 1 July 2026 |
Permissible age relaxation will be provided to reserved and special categories according to Uttar Pradesh government rules, applicable service regulations and valid court or government orders.
The notification mentions relaxation for categories such as SC, ST, OBC, skilled sportspersons, ex-servicemen, persons with disabilities and eligible Uttar Pradesh government employees, subject to the applicable conditions and supporting documents.
Application Fee
The notification separates the application fee from the online processing charge.
| Category | Application fee | Online processing fee | Total payable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unreserved/General | ₹160 | ₹25 | ₹185 |
| Other Backward Class | ₹160 | ₹25 | ₹185 |
| Scheduled Caste | ₹70 | ₹25 | ₹95 |
| Scheduled Tribe | ₹70 | ₹25 | ₹95 |
| Persons with Disabilities | Exempt | ₹25 | ₹25 |
Dependants of freedom fighters, ex-servicemen, outstanding sportspersons and female candidates must pay the fee applicable to their original social category.
The prescribed fee can be paid through Credit Card, Debit Card, Internet Banking, UPI or SBI e-challan according to the instructions shown on the official portal. No other payment method should be used.
If payment is completed but the application is not displayed, the candidate should use the commission’s transaction verification or reconciliation facility. If payment fails, the applicant must follow the fee-deposition instructions shown under the Applicant Segment.
One Time Registration and Application Process
UPSSSC’s One Time Registration system became operational on 14 July 2026. Completion of OTR is mandatory before submitting the PET 2026 form.
Candidates should verify every OTR entry before proceeding. Permitted changes must be completed before registering for PET 2026. After the candidate receives the PET registration number, relevant details may become locked and requests for offline or online correction beyond the notified facility may not be accepted.
How to apply
- Visit the official UPSSSC website at https://upsssc.gov.in.
- Open the One Time Registration section if OTR has not already been completed.
- Enter the required personal, educational and contact details.
- Verify the registered mobile number through OTP.
- Open the Live Advertisements or Applicant Segment section.
- Select Preliminary Eligibility Test 2026 under Advertisement No. 16-Exam/2026.
- Log in with the OTR number or registered mobile number.
- Complete the remaining PET application details.
- Select the applicable category and reservation information.
- Review the declaration and enter the verification code.
- Submit the registration section and preserve the generated registration slip.
- Use Proceed for Payment to pay the applicable fee.
- Wait for successful payment confirmation.
- Download and print the detailed application form.
- Recheck all entries and use the notified correction facility before 8 September 2026 when necessary.
The application is not considered complete merely because a registration number has been generated. Candidates must complete fee payment or reconciliation and download the detailed form.
Documents and information to keep ready
- OTR number or registered mobile number
- High School certificate and marksheet
- Date-of-birth proof
- Category certificate, where applicable
- EWS certificate, where applicable
- Disability certificate, where applicable
- Ex-serviceman or dependent certificate, where applicable
- Uttar Pradesh government employee details, where applicable
- Sportsperson certificate, where applicable
- Active mobile number
- Active email address
- Payment details and transaction ID
- Other records supporting a relaxation or reservation claim
UPSSSC PET 2026 Exam Pattern
The PET 2026 written examination will contain 100 objective multiple-choice questions carrying a total of 100 marks.
| Exam feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Question type | Objective multiple-choice questions |
| Total questions | 100 |
| Maximum marks | 100 |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Marks per question | 1 mark |
| Negative marking | 0.25 mark for each wrong answer |
| Language | As prescribed by the commission |
| Examination date | To be announced |
Candidates should answer carefully because one-fourth mark will be deducted for every incorrect response.
If the examination is conducted in more than one shift or on multiple days, the commission may apply a score-normalization process for comparative evaluation. The commission’s decision regarding normalization will be final.
UPSSSC PET 2026 Syllabus and Marks Distribution
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Indian History | 5 |
| Indian National Movement | 5 |
| Geography | 5 |
| Indian Economy | 5 |
| Indian Constitution and Public Administration | 5 |
| General Science | 5 |
| Elementary Arithmetic | 5 |
| General Hindi | 5 |
| General English | 5 |
| Logic and Reasoning | 5 |
| Current Affairs | 10 |
| General Awareness | 10 |
| Analysis of two unseen Hindi passages | 10 |
| Interpretation and analysis of two graphs | 10 |
| Interpretation and analysis of two tables | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
The difficulty level of the academic subjects listed from Indian History through General English will generally correspond to the secondary or senior-secondary level prescribed by NCERT.
Indian History
The history section includes the Indus Valley Civilisation, Vedic culture, Buddhism, Jainism, Mauryan dynasty, Gupta dynasty, Harshavardhana, Rajput period, Sultanate period, Mughal Empire, Marathas, the rise of British rule, the First War of Independence and the social and economic effects of British rule.
Indian National Movement
This section covers the early phase of the freedom movement, Swadeshi and Civil Disobedience movements, the role of Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders, revolutionary movements, the rise of extremism, constitutional reforms, the Government of India Act 1935, the Quit India Movement, the Azad Hind Fauj and Subhas Chandra Bose.
Geography
Topics include the physical and political geography of India and the world, rivers and river valleys, groundwater resources, mountains, glaciers, deserts, forests, mineral resources, climate, weather, time zones, population change and migration.
Indian Economy
Candidates should study the Indian economy between 1947 and 1991, the Planning Commission, Five-Year Plans, mixed economy, Green Revolution, dairy development, Operation Flood, bank nationalisation, reforms after 1991 and reforms after 2014, including agriculture, infrastructure, labour and GST-related developments.
Indian Constitution and Public Administration
The syllabus includes the main features of the Constitution, Directive Principles of State Policy, Fundamental Rights and Duties, parliamentary and federal systems, Union-State relations, the judiciary, district administration, local bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions.
General Science and Arithmetic
General Science covers elementary physics, chemistry and biology.
Elementary Arithmetic includes whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, simple arithmetic equations, squares, square roots, exponents, averages and related basic calculations.
Hindi, English and Reasoning
General Hindi includes sandhi, antonyms, synonyms, one-word substitutions, gender, homophones, idioms, proverbs, common errors, writers and literary works.
General English covers basic grammar and questions based on an unseen passage.
Logic and Reasoning includes large and small order, ranking, relationships, separating the odd item, calendar, clock, cause and effect, coding-decoding and deductive reasoning.
Current Affairs, Awareness and Data Interpretation
Current Affairs includes events of national and international importance.
General Awareness includes neighbouring countries, countries and capitals, Indian states and Union Territories, Parliament and legislatures, important national and international days, international organisations and their headquarters, tourism, art and culture, sports, research organisations, books, authors, awards, climate change and environment.
The examination will also contain questions based on two unseen Hindi passages, two graphs and two tables.
After the exam date is announced, candidates can manage revision milestones with the Exam Countdown and build a subject-wise timetable through the Study Plan Generator.
PET Score Validity, Shortlisting and Normalization
The score obtained in UPSSSC PET 2026 will remain valid for three years from the date on which the result is issued or uploaded to the commission’s website.
Where the examination is conducted in multiple shifts or on different days, the commission may normalize scores to ensure comparative assessment.
For a future main-examination advertisement, the commission will shortlist candidates according to the valid PET score and the rules mentioned in that advertisement. Applicants must separately satisfy its qualification, age and other requirements.
Candidates should not treat the PET score as an appointment letter, final merit position or guaranteed qualification for every post.
Important Instructions
- Complete OTR before submitting the PET application.
- Apply only through the official UPSSSC website.
- Submit only one PET 2026 application.
- Enter the date of birth exactly as printed on the High School certificate.
- Select the correct category and reservation details.
- Upload or retain documents supporting every relaxation or reservation claim.
- Complete the payment or reconciliation process before the deadline.
- Download and preserve the registration slip and detailed application form.
- Correct permitted mistakes by 8 September 2026.
- Do not rely on personal messages or unofficial promises of selection.
- Visit the official website regularly for the examination date, city information and admit card.
- Impersonation, cheating or use of unfair means may lead to cancellation, debarment and legal action.
Candidates facing an online-application problem may use the helpline number 0522-2720814 or contact the commission through the official website during working days.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official UPSSSC website | View Detail |
| Apply online/Live Advertisements | View Detail |
| Regal Career Application Tools | View Detail |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UPSSSC PET 2026 application start date?
Online registration and fee payment started on 3 August 2026.
What is the last date to apply for UPSSSC PET 2026?
The final date to register, submit the form and pay the application fee is 1 September 2026.
What is the last date for correction?
Permitted corrections and fee reconciliation can be completed until 8 September 2026. The correction facility is scheduled to be available from 10 August 2026.
What qualification is required?
Candidates must have passed High School or an equivalent recognised examination by the final application date.
What is the age limit?
Candidates must generally be between 18 and 40 years of age as of 1 July 2026. Relaxation applies according to government rules.
Is OTR mandatory for PET 2026?
Yes. Candidates must complete One Time Registration before submitting the PET application.
What is the application fee for General and OBC candidates?
The total payable amount is ₹185, consisting of a ₹160 application fee and a ₹25 online processing charge.
What is the fee for SC and ST candidates?
The total payable amount is ₹95, consisting of a ₹70 application fee and a ₹25 online processing charge.
What is the fee for candidates with disabilities?
The application fee is exempt, but a ₹25 online processing charge must be paid.
How many questions are asked in PET 2026?
The examination contains 100 objective questions carrying 100 marks.
Is there negative marking?
Yes. One-fourth mark, or 0.25, will be deducted for every wrong answer.
How long is the PET score valid?
The PET 2026 score remains valid for three years from the date the result is issued or uploaded.
Has the examination date been announced?
No. UPSSSC will publish the examination schedule separately on its official website.
Does passing PET guarantee a government job?
No. PET is an eligibility and shortlisting examination. Candidates must later apply for relevant main examinations and satisfy all post-specific requirements.
Final Summary
UPSSSC PET 2026 is the preliminary eligibility examination used for shortlisting candidates for eligible Group C main examinations conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission.
Candidates who have passed High School and satisfy the age requirements can apply online from 3 August to 1 September 2026. OTR is mandatory, and the form is considered complete only after successful fee payment or reconciliation and downloading the detailed application.
The written examination will contain 100 questions, carry 100 marks and last two hours. A deduction of 0.25 mark will apply to each incorrect answer. The score will remain valid for three years, but candidates must separately satisfy the requirements of every future recruitment notification.
