The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC) conducts the Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) every year as the mandatory first-stage screening examination for almost all Group C posts in the Uttar Pradesh government. As on date, the UPSSSC PET 2026 notification is expected to be released shortly on the official website, and lakhs of aspirants across the state are advised to keep a close watch. Kindly note that this is an upcoming cycle, so the dates and figures mentioned below are tentative until the official notification is published.
UPSSSC PET 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Body | Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC) |
| Post Name | Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) – qualifying test for Group C posts |
| Category | State Government Jobs |
| Total Vacancies | Screening test (no fixed vacancies); score used for multiple Group C recruitments |
| Job Location | Uttar Pradesh |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | upsssc.gov.in |
Important Dates
The exact schedule will be confirmed in the official notification. The following dates are expected/tentative for 2026 and should be verified on the official website.
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | Expected in 2026 (as per official notification) |
| Online Application Start | Expected mid-2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | To be announced (as per official notification) |
| Exam Date | Expected in the latter half of 2026 |
Vacancy Details
It is important for interested aspirants to understand that the PET in itself does not carry a fixed number of vacancies. It is purely a qualifying/screening examination. The PET score is later used by UPSSSC as the eligibility basis for various Group C recruitment drives such as Lekhpal, Junior Assistant, X-Ray Technician, Forest Guard and many similar posts. In the recent cycle, the qualified PET score has been made valid for three years, which means a single good attempt can open the door to multiple recruitments during this period. The actual vacancies will be notified separately for each specific post once those recruitments are advertised.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed at least Class 10 (High School) from any recognised board to be eligible for the PET. Aspirants holding higher qualifications such as Intermediate, graduation or above are also eligible to appear. The minimum educational requirement for individual posts may be higher and will be specified in the respective recruitment notification.
Age Limit
As per the recent pattern, the minimum age is 18 years and the maximum age is 40 years, calculated as on the cut-off date mentioned in the notification (generally 1 July of the cycle year). Age relaxation is provided to reserved categories as per Uttar Pradesh government rules – generally up to 5 years for SC/ST/OBC domicile candidates and up to additional relaxation for PwD candidates. Candidates are advised to confirm the exact age criteria and relaxation in the official notification before applying.
Application Fee
The application fee is paid online through net banking, debit card, credit card or e-challan. As per the most recent cycle, the indicative category-wise fee was as follows (please confirm the final amounts in the 2026 notification):
- General / OBC / EWS: approximately Rs. 185 (as per official notification)
- SC / ST: approximately Rs. 95
- PwD (Divyang): approximately Rs. 25
Salary / Pay Scale
The PET itself does not carry a salary, as it is only a screening test. However, it acts as the gateway to Group C posts whose pay generally falls between Pay Band Rs. 5200-20200 with Grade Pay Rs. 1900 and Pay Band Rs. 9300-34800 with Grade Pay Rs. 4600 (Level 1 to Level 6 of the Pay Matrix), depending on the specific post. The exact salary will be mentioned in each individual recruitment notification.
Selection Process
- Appear in the Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) – an objective-type paper of 100 questions for 100 marks, with a duration of 2 hours and negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer (as per the recent pattern).
- Obtain a valid PET score, which currently remains valid for three years.
- Use the PET score to apply for the specific Group C post(s) of your choice when those recruitments are advertised.
- Clear the further stages of the respective recruitment, such as the main examination, skill/typing test, physical test or document verification, as applicable.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official UPSSSC website at upsssc.gov.in.
- Complete the one-time registration (OTR) if not already done, and note your registration number.
- Log in and open the UPSSSC PET 2026 application link once it is activated.
- Fill in your personal, educational and category details carefully.
- Upload your scanned photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
- Pay the applicable application fee online.
- Submit the form and take a printout of the final confirmation page for your records.
- Apply directly only through the official portal: https://upsssc.gov.in
Important Links
Apply Online / Official Website: Official Website / Apply Online
Official Notification: https://upsssc.gov.in
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general guidance only and is based on the most recent available details. UPSSSC PET 2026 is an upcoming cycle, and dates, vacancies, fees and eligibility are tentative and subject to change. Candidates are strongly advised to read the official notification and verify all details on the official website (upsssc.gov.in) before applying, as notifications can be revised at any time.