UPSSSC PET 2026 Online Form: Notification, Eligibility, Exam Pattern & Syllabus

The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC), Lucknow has officially published the advertisement for the Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) 2026 under Advertisement No. 16-Exam/2026. Under the two-tier examination system adopted by the UP State Government, clearing PET is the mandatory first step for candidates seeking recruitment into various Group 'C' posts across state government departments, boards, and autonomous bodies.Unlike standard single-stage exams, UPSSSC PET serves as an umbrella preliminary eligibility test. The score obtained in PET 2026 will remain valid for 3 years from the date of result declaration. Based on this normalized PET score, candidates will be directly shortlisted to apply for various secondary main examinations (Mukhya Pariksha), skill tests, or physical tests for positions such as Lekhpal, Junior Assistant, VDO, Stenographer, Technical Assistants, and various clerical roles.Any candidate who has completed High School (Class 10th) or higher education and meets the prescribed age criteria can register online. Submission of One Time Registration (OTR) on the official website is compulsory before filling out the main PET 2026 application form.Quick Overview

Important Dates
Application FeeApplication fees must be paid online using Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, UPI, or SBI E-Challan.
Note: Dependents of Freedom Fighters, Ex-Servicemen, Outstanding Sportspersons, and Female candidates must pay the fee according to their original parent category.Age LimitAge calculation is based on the cut-off date of 01 July 2026.

• Minimum Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Age: 40 Years

Category-Wise Upper Age Relaxation:

• SC / ST / OBC Candidates (Uttar Pradesh Domicile): 5 Years relaxation.
• Skilled & Outstanding Sportspersons: 5 Years relaxation.
• UP State Government Employees: 5 Years relaxation.
• Persons with Disabilities (PwBD): 15 Years relaxation.
• Ex-Servicemen: 3 Years relaxation after deducting the actual years of service from their current age.

Vacancy Details & Covered PostsUPSSSC PET is a qualifying entrance examination. Rather than filling a fixed vacancy count upfront, PET acts as the single gateway score for all direct recruitments falling under Group 'C' in Uttar Pradesh.Scope of Covered Posts:

• All direct recruitment posts in Grade Pay ₹ 1900 (Pay Band-1: ₹ 5200–20200) up to Grade Pay less than ₹ 4600 (Pay Band-2: ₹ 9300–34800).
• Includes Secretariat staff posts, state government departments, statutory boards, corporations, and state-controlled bodies.
• Target Job Profiles: Revenue Lekhpal, Junior Assistant, Village Development Officer (VDO), Stenographer, Tube Well Operator, Pharmacist, Lab Technician, Forest Guard, and Agriculture Technical Assistant.

Educational Qualification

• Minimum Qualification: High School (Class 10th) passed or its equivalent qualification from a recognized Board on or before the application submission deadline (01 September 2026).
• Higher Qualifications: Candidates holding Intermediate (10+2), Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees, or technical Diplomas are fully eligible to apply and can update their detailed qualifications in the portal to qualify for higher-level Group 'C' Main Examinations later.

Salary & Pay Scale OverviewSince PET 2026 is a preliminary eligibility screening test, final pay scales are assigned when candidates clear the post-specific Main Examination. The general pay structure for Group 'C' positions under UPSSSC ranges as follows:

• Pay Scale: Pay Band 1 (₹ 5,200 – ₹ 20,200) to Pay Band 2 (₹ 9,300 – ₹ 34,800).
• Grade Pay Range: ₹ 1,900/- to ₹ 4,200/- per month.
• Admissibility: Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Medical Allowances, and pension schemes applicable as per U.P. State Government rules.

Selection ProcessThe evaluation of candidates for Group 'C' state posts follows a mandatory multi-stage procedure:

1. Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET 2026): State-level written test conducted for all registered applicants.
2. Normalized Scorecard Issuance: Scorecards will be generated and valid for 3 years.
3. Shortlisting for Main Examinations: Individual departments issue recruitment notifications for specific posts. UPSSSC shortlists candidates for these Main Written Exams directly based on their valid normalized PET scores.
4. Skill / Physical Test (If Applicable): Typing tests, steno tests, or physical endurance tests for specific profiles (e.g., Stenographer, Junior Assistant, Forest Guard).
5. Document Verification & Medical Exam: Final verification of credentials before official appointment.

Exam PatternThe PET 2026 offline/online written test will be conducted in an objective multiple-choice format.
Detailed SyllabusThe complete subject-wise mark distribution for the 100-mark paper is structured as follows:1. Indian History (5 Marks)

• Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Culture, Buddhism (Gautam Buddha), Jainism (Mahavira).
• Maurya Dynasty (Emperor Ashoka), Gupta Empire (Samudragupta, Chandragupta II), Harshavardhana.
• Rajput Era, Sultanate Period, Mughal Empire, Maratha Empire.
• Rise of British Power and 1st War of Independence, Social-Economic Impact of British Rule.

2. Indian National Movement (5 Marks)

• Initial Phase of Freedom Movement.
• Swadeshi & Civil Disobedience Movement (Role of Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders).
• Revolutionary Movements & Rise of Extreme Nationalism.
• Legislative Amendments & Government of India Act 1935.
• Quit India Movement, Azad Hind Fauj & Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

3. Geography (5 Marks)

• Physical Geography of India & World (Rivers, Water Resources, Mountains, Glaciers, Deserts, Forests, Minerals).
• Political Geography of India & World, Climate & Weather, Time Zones, Demographic Changes & Migration.

4. Indian Economy (5 Marks)

• Indian Economy (1947 to 1991): Planning Commission, Five-Year Plans, Mixed Economy, Green Revolution, Milk Development & Operation Flood, Banking Nationalization.
• Economic Reforms of 1991 and post-2014 Reforms (Agricultural, Structural, Labor, Economic Reforms, and GST).

5. Indian Constitution & Public Administration (5 Marks)

• Key Features of Indian Constitution, Directive Principles of State Policy, Fundamental Rights & Duties.
• Parliamentary System, Federal System, Union & UTs, Centre-State Relations.
• Judicial Structure (Supreme Court, High Court), District Administration, Local Bodies & Panchayati Raj Institutions.

6. General Science (5 Marks)

• Basic Physics, Basic Chemistry, Basic Biology.

7. Elementary Arithmetic (5 Marks)

• Whole Numbers, Fractions & Decimals, Percentage, Simple Arithmetic Equations, Square & Square Roots, Exponents & Powers, Average.

8. General Hindi (5 Marks)

• Sandhi, Antonyms (Vilom), Synonyms (Paryayvachi), One-word substitution, Gender, Homophones, Idioms & Phrases, Common Spelling Errors, Authors & Works (Prose & Poetry).

9. General English (5 Marks)

• English Grammar, Questions based on Unseen Passages.

10. Logic & Reasoning (5 Marks)

• Order & Ranking, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding, Calendar & Clock, Cause & Effect, Syllogism / Statement & Decision.

11. Current Affairs (10 Marks)

• National & International Events.

12. General Awareness (10 Marks)

• India's Neighboring Countries, Capitals & Currencies, Indian States & UTs, Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Vidhan Sabha, Vidhan Parishad).
• National & International Days, World Organizations & Headquarters, Tourism Spots, Indian Art & Culture, Sports, Research Institutes, Books & Authors, Awards & Honors, Climate Change & Environment.

13. Unseen Hindi Passages (10 Marks)

• 2 Unseen Passages (5 questions each).

14. Graph Interpretation & Analysis (10 Marks)

• 2 Graphs (5 questions each).

15. Table Interpretation & Analysis (10 Marks)

• 2 Tables (5 questions each).

How to ApplyCompleting the UPSSSC PET 2026 application requires navigating the One-Time Registration (OTR) system first.

1. OTR Registration: Visit upsssc.gov.in and navigate to the OTR section (active since July 14, 2026). Complete OTR using your mobile number and email ID.
2. Log In for PET 2026: On the homepage, open the PET 2026 Application Link. Log in via your OTR Number or registered Mobile Number using OTP.
3. Fill Remaining Details: Confirm your pre-filled OTR data and add specific details such as 10+2 details, EWS status, Freedom Fighter dependent status, Sports quota, or age relaxation claims.
4. Accept Declaration: Carefully review the declaration text, select "Yes", enter the verification code, and submit to generate the 11-digit Registration Slip.
5. Pay Application Fee: Click "Proceed for Payment" and complete the fee transaction using UPI, Net Banking, or Credit/Debit Card. If the transaction pending screen appears, use the Double Verification Mode on the site to reconcile.
6. Download Final Form: Download and print the finalized application form.

Required Documents

• Class 10th (High School) Mark sheet and Passing Certificate.
• Class 12th / Diploma / Graduation certificates (if updating profile).
• Valid Category Certificate (OBC non-creamy layer, SC, ST, EWS) issued by competent UP authority.
• Domicile Certificate of Uttar Pradesh (for claiming reservation benefits).
• Scanned Photograph and Signature (linked automatically via OTR).
• NOC and Vigilance Clearance (for currently employed government workers).

Important Instructions

• OTR Mandatory: Applicants cannot fill out the PET 2026 form without an active OTR profile.
• Correction Window: Modifications to intermediate qualifications, EWS status, address, or categories can be executed online up to 08 September 2026. Mobile numbers cannot be altered post-registration.
• Single Application Rule: If a candidate submits multiple applications, only the final successfully submitted application form will be accepted; all previous entries will be automatically canceled.
• Anti-Unfair Means Law: The examination is strictly governed by the Uttar Pradesh Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024, which penalizes malpractices with severe legal consequences, including life imprisonment and fines up to ₹ 1 Crore.

Important Links
FAQs

1. What is the official advertisement number for UPSSSC PET 2026? 

The official advertisement number is 16-Exam/2026 (16-परीक्षा/2026).

2. What is the last date to apply online for UPSSSC PET 2026? 

The last date for registration, fee payment, and online form submission is 01 September 2026.

3. How long is the UPSSSC PET 2026 scorecard valid? 

As per updated government orders, the PET normalized score remains valid for 3 years from the date of result declaration.

4. Is One Time Registration (OTR) compulsory before applying for PET 2026? 

Yes, completing OTR on upsssc.gov.in is mandatory prior to submitting the PET 2026 application.

5. What is the minimum educational qualification required for PET 2026? Candidates must have passed High School (Class 10th) or an equivalent examination on or before 01 September 2026.

6. What is the age limit for general candidates in UPSSSC PET 2026? The age limit is 18 to 40 years as of 01 July 2026.

7. Is there any negative marking in the UPSSSC PET 2026 written exam? Yes, 1/4th (25%) of the assigned marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer.

8. What is the application fee for OBC and General male candidates? 

The total payable fee for General and OBC candidates is ₹ 185.00.

9. Can candidates from outside Uttar Pradesh apply for UPSSSC PET 2026?

Yes, candidates from other states can apply, but they will be treated under the Unreserved (General) category regardless of their home-state category.

10. Until when can I edit or correct errors in my submitted PET 2026 application? 

The online correction window remains open until 08 September 2026.