UPSSSC PET 2026 –
For anyone serious about a government job in Uttar Pradesh, the UPSSSC PET 2026 is not just another examination—it is the mandatory first gate. Without clearing this Preliminary Eligibility Test, a candidate simply cannot apply for most Group B and Group C posts under the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC). And with lakhs of aspirants eying posts like Lekhpal, Village Development Officer, Junior Assistant, Stenographer, and Forest Guard, getting through the PET is where the real competition begins.
The UPSSSC PET 2026 notification was officially released on August 1, 2026, under Advertisement No. 16-Exam/2026. The online application window opened on August 3, 2026, and will remain active until September 1, 2026, at the official UPSSSC portal—upsssc.gov.in. The response has already been overwhelming: within the first few days, over 4.87 lakh candidates had already submitted their applications, with nearly 4.16 lakh fully completing their registration. The OTR portal had crossed 8 lakh registrations within the same period—numbers that reflect just how consequential this examination is for UP’s job-seeking community.
This article covers the complete picture—from who can apply and how much the fee is to the full 15-subject syllabus, exam pattern with subject-wise marks, application process, and what qualifying the PET actually unlocks for a candidate’s career.
This article is based on the official UPSSSC notification (Advt. No. 16-Exam/2026 dated August 1, 2026) published at upsssc.gov.in.
UPSSSC PET 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC), Lucknow |
| Advertisement No. | 16-Exam/2026 (Dated: August 1, 2026) |
| Exam Name | Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) 2026 |
| Purpose | Gateway screening test for Group B and Group C post-recruitments under UPSSSC |
| Application Start Date | August 3, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply and Pay Fee | September 1, 2026 |
| Correction Window | Until September 8, 2026 |
| Exam Date | To be notified (expected October–November 2026) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper – OMR-based) |
| Total Questions / Marks | 100 Questions / 100 Marks |
| Duration | 2 Hours (120 minutes) |
| PET Score Validity | 3 years from the date of result |
| Official Website | upsssc.gov.in |
UPSSSC PET 2026 – Latest Update
The UPSSSC PET 2026 notification went live on August 1, 2026, and applications opened two days later. As of the first week of August, over 4.87 lakh applications have already been submitted—a strong early turnout that signals this will be one of the most competitive PET cycles in recent years. The commission made One Time Registration (OTR) mandatory before the PET application—candidates who have already completed OTR for any previous UPSSSC exam can use their existing credentials directly.
The exam date has not been officially announced yet. Based on past cycles—where the exam was typically held roughly two months after the application window closed—the UPSSSC PET 2026 exam is tentatively expected in October–November 2026. Candidates should begin preparation immediately rather than waiting for the admit card, given how broad the 15-subject syllabus is.
One significant policy detail worth noting: the PET score is valid for 3 years from the date of result declaration. This means a candidate who qualifies in 2026 can use that score to apply for Group C mains exams up to 2029—without needing to reappear for PET each time. That makes the effort invested in this exam substantially more valuable than a single-use entry test.
What is UPSSSC PET, and Why Does It Matter?
Introduced in 2021, the Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) replaced the earlier system where candidates applied separately for each Group C recruitment exam. Under the current two-tier model, UPSSSC first conducts the PET—a common qualifying exam—and then, when specific vacancies arise (say, for Lekhpal or VDO), only candidates with a valid PET score above the prescribed cutoff are eligible to apply for the Mains.
This structure was introduced to reduce the administrative burden of conducting preliminary rounds for every recruitment separately and to give UPSSSC a pre-qualified pool of candidates ready to appear whenever a new Mains notification is released. For aspirants, it means one well-prepared PET attempt can keep you in the running for multiple Group C recruitments over the next three years—a considerable advantage compared to the older system.
Posts that require a valid UPSSSC PET score include Lekhpal, Village Development Officer (VDO), Junior Assistant, Stenographer, Forest Guard, X-Ray Technician, Assistant Accountant, and several others. Together, these posts attract some of the largest recruitment drives in Uttar Pradesh every year, with vacancies often running into the thousands.
UPSSSC PET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility bar for PET is intentionally kept accessible—the test is designed as a screening tool, not a specialist recruitment, which is why the educational requirement is set at the Class 10 level.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed Class 10 (high school) or an equivalent examination from any recognized board in India. There is no upper educational limit—candidates with higher qualifications, including intermediate, graduation, postgraduation, or professional degrees, are equally eligible to appear. What matters is that the Class 10 qualification was obtained on or before the last date of application, i.e., September 1, 2026.
Age Limit (As of July 1, 2026)
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General | 18 to 40 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | Age relaxation as per UP government norms |
| SC / ST | Age relaxation as per UP government norms |
| PwD (Divyangjan) | Age relaxation as per UP government norms |
| Ex-Servicemen | Age relaxation as per applicable government rules |
Candidates should refer to the official notification PDF on upsssc.gov.in for the precise age relaxation figures applicable to each reserved category, as these are specified in detail within the advertisement.
Application Fee – UPSSSC PET 2026
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | Rs. 185 |
| SC / ST | Rs. 95 |
| PH (Persons with Disability) | Rs. 25 |
Payment can be made online through debit card, credit card, internet banking, IMPS, cash card, or mobile wallet. The fee must be paid before the last date of September 1, 2026. The fee, once paid, is non-refundable under any circumstances.
UPSSSC PET 2026 Exam Pattern
The exam is conducted in offline mode (pen and paper) using an OMR answer sheet. It consists of 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions carrying 1 mark each, to be completed in 2 hours (120 minutes). There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks (¼ mark) for every wrong answer. Questions left unanswered carry no penalty.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline – Pen and Paper (OMR Sheet) |
| Question Type | Objective – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
| Marks per Correct Answer | +1 Mark |
| Negative Marking per Wrong Answer | −0.25 Marks (¼ Mark) |
| Unanswered Questions | No penalty |
| Difficulty Level | NCERT Secondary and Senior Secondary (Class 10 and 12) level |
| Language | Hindi and English (bilingual) |
One thing candidates underestimate is the negative marking. At 0.25 per wrong answer, four wrong answers wipe out an entire correct one. In a paper where every mark matters at the cutoff stage, blind guessing is a costly strategy. Selective, confident attempts outperform shotgun approaches here.
UPSSSC PET 2026 – Subject-Wise Syllabus
The PET syllabus covers 15 subject areas. The first nine subjects are based on the NCERT curriculum of secondary and senior secondary level. The remaining six sections test language comprehension, reasoning, current affairs, and data interpretation skills. Here is the complete subject-wise breakdown:
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Indian History | 05 | 05 |
| Indian National Movement | 05 | 05 |
| Geography | 05 | 05 |
| Indian Economy | 05 | 05 |
| Indian Constitution and Public Administration | 05 | 05 |
| General Science | 05 | 05 |
| Elementary Arithmetic | 05 | 05 |
| General Hindi | 05 | 05 |
| General English | 05 | 05 |
| Logic and Reasoning | 05 | 05 |
| Current Affairs | 10 | 10 |
| General Awareness | 10 | 10 |
| Analysis of Hindi Unread Passages (2 passages) | 10 | 10 |
| Graph Interpretation and Analysis (2 graphs) | 10 | 10 |
| Table Interpretation and Analysis (2 tables) | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Notice something important in this distribution: the last five sections—Current Affairs, General Awareness, Hindi Passages, Graphs, and Tables—together carry 50 marks, which is exactly half the paper. These sections reward regular reading habits, data analysis practice, and current affairs awareness far more than rote memorization. Candidates who invest time here gain a significant scoring edge over those who focus only on the traditional GK subjects.
Posts Available After Clearing UPSSSC PET 2026
Clearing the PET does not mean getting a job—but it opens doors to apply for some of the most sought-after Group B and C positions in Uttar Pradesh. Once the PET score is declared and a candidate crosses the prescribed cutoff, they become eligible to apply for Mains exams for the following posts:
| Post Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Lekhpal (Revenue Accountant) | Revenue Department, UP |
| Village Development Officer (VDO / Gram Vikas Adhikari) | Rural Development Department |
| Junior Assistant | Various Government Departments |
| Stenographer | Various Government Departments |
| Forest Guard | UP Forest Department |
| X-Ray Technician | Health Department |
| Assistant Accountant | Various Government Departments |
| Supply Inspector | Food and Civil Supplies Department |
Lekhpal and VDO are widely considered the two most desirable targets after PET—both have historically announced large-scale recruitments with thousands of vacancies, offer stable government salaries, and are posted within Uttar Pradesh. Deciding on a target post before the PET exam helps candidates align their Mains preparation from an early stage rather than scrambling after the result.
How to Apply Online for UPSSSC PET 2026
Before filling out the PET application form, candidates must complete the One Time Registration (OTR) on the UPSSSC portal. This is mandatory. Candidates who have already done OTR for a previous UPSSSC exam can skip this step and log in directly.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Visit upsssc.gov.in and complete One Time Registration (OTR) if not already done. |
| Step 2 | Log in using OTR credentials and click on UPSSSC PET 2026 (Advt. No. 16-Exam/2026) |
| Step 3 | Fill in personal details—name, date of birth, category, address, and contact information. |
| Step 4 | Enter Class 10 qualification details—board, year of passing, roll number, and marks. |
| Step 5 | Upload a passport-sized photograph (JPG/JPEG format, 5 KB–30 KB) and signature. |
| Step 6 | Pay the application fee online via debit card, credit card, net banking, IMPS, or mobile wallet. |
| Step 7 | Review all details carefully before final submission. |
| Step 8 | Submit and download or print the confirmation page for future reference. |
If any error is noticed after submission, the correction window remains open until September 8, 2026. Corrections can be made during this period—but candidates should not rely on the correction window as a safety net. Getting the form right the first time is always the better approach.
Documents Required for UPSSSC PET 2026 Application
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Class 10 Marksheet and Certificate | Educational qualification and date of birth proof |
| Aadhaar Card / Valid Photo ID | Identity verification during OTR |
| Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD) | For fee concession and age relaxation |
| Domicile Certificate (UP Resident) | Required for UP state reservation benefits |
| Passport-Sized Photograph | Online upload—JPG/JPEG, 5KB to 30KB |
| Scanned Signature | Online upload in prescribed format |
Important Dates – UPSSSC PET 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Released | August 1, 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | August 3, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply and Pay Fee | September 1, 2026 |
| Application Correction Window Closes | September 8, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Before the Examination (to be notified) |
| UPSSSC PET 2026 Exam Date | Expected October–November 2026 (to be notified) |
| Result Declaration | To be notified after examination |
Important Links – UPSSSC PET 2026
| Link Description | Access |
|---|---|
| UPSSSC PET 2026 Apply Online | Click Here |
| UPSSSC PET 2026 Official Notification PDF (Advt. No. 16-Exam/2026) | Click Here |
| UPSSSC OTR (One Time Registration) Portal | Click Here |
| UPSSSC PET 2026 Syllabus PDF | Click Here |
| UPSSSC PET Admit Card 2026 (When Released) | Click Here |
| UPSSSC Official Website | Click Here |
| Home Page – jobsalertsindia.com | Click Here |
UPSSSC PET 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is UPSSSC PET 2026, and why is it important?
Ans. UPSSSC PET is a mandatory qualifying exam for Group B and Group C government posts in Uttar Pradesh—including Lekhpal, VDO, Junior Assistant, and Stenographer. Without a valid PET score, candidates cannot apply for UPSSSC Mains recruitments.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for UPSSSC PET 2026?
Ans. The last date to apply and pay the application fee is September 1, 2026. The correction window closes on September 8, 2026.
Q3. What is the minimum qualification required for UPSSSC PET 2026?
Ans. Candidates must have passed Class 10 (High School) or an equivalent qualification from a recognized board. There is no upper educational limit—graduates and postgraduates are also eligible.
Q4. How many questions are there in the UPSSSC PET exam?
Ans. The exam consists of 100 MCQ questions carrying 100 marks, to be completed in 2 hours. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer.
Q5. How long is the UPSSSC PET 2026 score valid?
Ans. The PET score is valid for 3 years from the date of result declaration. This means a candidate who qualifies in 2026 can use the same score for Group C main exam applications until 2029.
Q6. Is OTR mandatory for the UPSSSC PET 2026 application?
Ans. Yes. One-time registration (OTR) on the UPSSSC portal is mandatory before applying for PET 2026. Candidates who completed OTR for any previous UPSSSC exam can use existing credentials.
Q7. What is the application fee for UPSSSC PET 2026?
Ans. The fee is Rs. 185 for General/OBC, Rs. 95 for SC/ST, and Rs. 25 for PH (Persons with Disability) candidates. Payment is online only.
Q8. When is the UPSSSC PET 2026 exam expected?
Ans. The official exam date has not yet been announced. Based on the previous cycle pattern, the exam is expected tentatively in October–November 2026. Candidates should monitor upsssc.gov.in for updates.
Q9. Can candidates from outside Uttar Pradesh apply for UPSSSC PET 2026?
Ans. The PET is open to eligible candidates. However, reservation benefits and domicile-based advantages in subsequent UPSSSC recruitments are applicable only to permanent residents of Uttar Pradesh. Check the official notification for specific conditions.
Q10. Which subjects carry the most marks in UPSSSC PET 2026?
Ans. Current Affairs, General Awareness, Hindi Passage Analysis, Graph Interpretation, and Table Interpretation together carry 50 marks—exactly half the paper. These sections are critical for scoring above the cutoff.
Conclusion
The UPSSSC PET 2026 is the single most important exam for anyone targeting a government job in Uttar Pradesh this year. With the application window open from August 3 to September 1, 2026, and a 3-year score validity that keeps multiple Group C doors open, the investment in preparing well for this exam pays dividends far beyond a single recruitment cycle. Candidates should complete their OTR, submit the application before the deadline, and begin covering the 15-subject syllabus systematically—giving particular attention to the high-weightage sections like Current Affairs, Data Interpretation, and Hindi Passages. For the UPSSSC PET 2026 admit card, exam date announcement, answer key, and result updates, stay connected with jobsalertsindia.com.