UPSSSC PET-2026 Notification: Registration, Fee, Exam Pattern & Syllabus

The Uttar Pradesh Adhinasth Seva Chayan Ayog (UPSSSC), Lucknow, has released the notification for the Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET)-2026. This is not a recruitment for a specific post; rather, it is the mandatory qualifying screening test that every candidate must clear before applying for the various Group ‘C’ Main Examinations conducted by UPSSSC over the next few years.

UPSSSC follows a two-tier examination system for Group ‘C’ posts: first, candidates must clear the Preliminary Eligibility Test, and then use their valid PET score to apply for specific Main Examinations announced separately for individual departments and posts. Since a PET score remains valid for three years, this is one of the most important exams for lakhs of Uttar Pradesh candidates aspiring for Group ‘C’ government jobs. This article explains the registration process, eligibility, fee, and complete exam pattern.

UPSSSC PET-2026: Highlights

The table above gives a quick summary of the PET-2026 registration cycle. Since this test decides eligibility for all Group ‘C’ Main Examinations for the next three years, candidates should treat this as one of the most important exams to clear if they are targeting a UPSSSC government job. The sections below cover eligibility, fee, and the full exam pattern.

Who Can Apply for UPSSSC PET-2026

Candidates who hold a High School (10th) certificate or an equivalent qualification are eligible to apply for the Preliminary Eligibility Test. Any candidate who has already obtained this qualification before the last date of submission of the application can apply, regardless of the specific Group ‘C’ post they may eventually target.

📱 Download NaukriPatra App

One Time Registration (OTR) Requirement

UPSSSC has implemented a One Time Registration (OTR) system for candidate convenience, effective from 14 July 2026. Once a candidate completes OTR registration, they do not need to re-enter their basic information repeatedly while applying for various UPSSSC advertisements. Candidates must complete their OTR registration on the official website, upsssc.gov.in, before applying for the PET-2026. No offline applications will be accepted under any circumstances.

Candidates who already registered during PET-2025 using their OTR should note that their name, date of birth, and mobile number entered at that time cannot be changed; however, other details recorded in the OTR can still be modified before registering for PET-2026.

Age Limit (As on 1 July 2026)

Candidates must have completed a minimum of 18 years of age and must not have exceeded 40 years of age as on 1 July 2026 to be eligible for this test.

Application Fee

Dependents of freedom fighters, ex-servicemen/military personnel, outstanding sportspersons, and women candidates will pay the fee applicable to their original category (from the categories listed above). Fee can be paid online only, through Credit Card, Debit Card, Internet Banking, UPI, or SBI e-Challan. No other mode of payment is accepted, and fee once paid is non-refundable and cannot be adjusted against any other examination.

Exam Pattern and Syllabus

The PET-2026 will consist of 100 objective-type, multiple-choice questions worth 100 marks, to be completed in 2 hours. There is a deduction of one-fourth (0.25) mark for every wrong answer.

The difficulty level of questions on subjects at serial numbers 1 to 9 will be at Secondary/Senior Secondary standard, as prescribed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The exam may be conducted in more than one shift/day depending on the number of applications received, in which case normalization of scores will be applied for fair comparative evaluation across shifts, as already notified by the Commission vide Notice No. 42/05 dated 22 May 2019.

Validity of PET Score

As per Uttar Pradesh Government Order No. 316/47-Ka-3-2025 dated 28 April 2025, the score obtained in the Preliminary Eligibility Test will remain valid for 3 years from the date the Commission declares the result/uploads it on its website. If a candidate holds valid scores from more than one PET during this validity window at the time of applying for a specific Main Examination, they will be given the facility to apply based on their best available normalized score, and shortlisting will be done accordingly.

Important Dates

How to Apply for UPSSSC PET-2026

Follow this process to complete your online application for PET-2026:

1. Visit the official UPSSSC website, upsssc.gov.in, and complete your One Time Registration (OTR), if not already done.
2. Log in to the application using your OTR number or the mobile number registered with your OTR, and click “Get OTP” to receive a One Time Password.
3. Enter the OTP and Verification Code, then log in to access the application form, which will auto-populate details from your OTR.
4. Fill in the remaining details, such as Intermediate qualification (if any), marital status, EWS status, State Government employee status, freedom fighter dependent status, ex-serviceman status, outstanding sportsperson status, and any applicable age relaxation.
5. Read the declaration carefully, select “Yes” if you agree, enter the Verification Code, and click “Submit” to generate an 11-digit Registration Number on the Registration Slip. Save this slip for future reference.
6. Click “Proceed for Payment” on the Registration Slip page and complete the fee payment through Credit Card/Debit Card/Internet Banking/UPI or SBI e-Challan.
7. Once payment is confirmed, download and print your application form. The application process is complete only after this step.

Candidates should complete their fee reconciliation and download/print their application form well before the deadline of 1 September 2026, since no request for extension will be entertained after this date.

Important Instructions for Candidates

• Reserved category candidates must correctly mention their category in the application.
• Only the Date of Birth mentioned on the High School or equivalent certificate will be considered valid; no other document will be accepted for this purpose.
• Candidates must be prepared to submit self-attested copies of their marksheets, certificates, and degrees when demanded by the Commission.
• The exam date, time, district, and centre will be communicated through the admit card; no request for change of centre, date, or time will be entertained.
• Providing false information, or facts that cannot be verified through certificates, can lead to rejection of candidature and debarment from this and future Commission examinations.
• Candidates must submit any application corrections before the correction deadline of 8 September 2026; no changes are possible after this date.
• Married male candidates having more than one living spouse, and women who marry such a man, are not eligible unless exempted by the Governor.

Why This Exam Matters

Since UPSSSC conducts Main Examinations for numerous Group ‘C’ posts across various Uttar Pradesh Government departments throughout the year, holding a valid PET score is a mandatory prerequisite to even apply for those Main Examinations. Clearing PET-2026 with a strong score, valid for the next three years, gives candidates the flexibility to apply for multiple UPSSSC Group ‘C’ recruitment drives announced during this window, without needing to reappear for the qualifying exam each time.

Preparation Tips

Since the syllabus spans History, Geography, Economy, Constitution, Science, Arithmetic, Hindi, English, Reasoning, and Current Affairs, candidates should build a broad, balanced preparation strategy rather than focusing on just one or two subjects. Given that Current Affairs and General Awareness together carry 20 marks, and passage/graph/table-based questions carry another 30 marks, practicing comprehension, data interpretation, and staying updated with recent events should be a priority alongside static subjects like History and Constitution.

General Instructions

• Only online applications are accepted; no offline application will be entertained under any circumstances.
• A candidate can submit only one application for PET-2026.
• The Commission does not provide personal correspondence with candidates; all updates are published only on the official website, and candidates should check it regularly.
• For any difficulty with the online application, candidates can contact the Commission at 0522-2720814 or visit the Commission office on any working day.
• Impersonation or use of unfair means during the examination can lead to prosecution under the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which provides for punishment including life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs.1 crore.

Important Links

• Apply Online / UPSSSC Official Website
• Download Official Notification PDF
• Download NaukriPatra App
• Join NaukriPatra WhatsApp Channel
• Join NaukriPatra Telegram Channel

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is UPSSSC PET-2026?

It is the Preliminary Eligibility Test conducted by UPSSSC, a mandatory qualifying screening test that candidates must clear to become eligible to apply for various Group ‘C’ Main Examinations conducted by the Commission.

What is the last date to apply for PET-2026?

The last date to submit the online application and pay the fee is 1 September 2026. Applications open on 3 August 2026.

What is the qualification required for PET-2026?

A High School (10th) certificate or an equivalent qualification.

What is the age limit for this exam?

Minimum 18 years and maximum 40 years as on 1 July 2026, with applicable relaxations for SC/ST/OBC, sportspersons, ex-servicemen, PwD, and serving UP Government employees.

What is the application fee?

Rs.185 for Unreserved/OBC candidates, Rs.95 for SC/ST candidates, and Rs.25 for Persons with Disabilities.

How long is the PET score valid?

3 years from the date the Commission declares the result or uploads it on its website.

What is the exam pattern for PET-2026?

100 objective-type questions worth 100 marks, to be completed in 2 hours, with one-fourth mark deducted for each wrong answer.

Does clearing PET guarantee a job?

No, PET is only a qualifying screening test. Candidates must separately apply for and clear specific Main Examinations for individual Group ‘C’ posts using their valid PET score.

Can I make changes to my application after submitting it?

Yes, but only until the correction deadline of 8 September 2026. No changes are permitted after this date.

Where can I download the official notification?

The official notification PDF is linked in the Important Links section above, and it is also available on the official UPSSSC website.