UPSSSC PET Exam Date 2026 –
25, 30 Oct & 1 Nov (Revised)
The Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) is your mandatory entry ticket to Group B and C government jobs in Uttar Pradesh. Under the revised schedule, PET 2026 will be held on 25 October, 30 October and 1 November 2026. It covers 15 subjects in a single 2-hour paper (100 MCQs, 0.25 negative marking per wrong answer), and the score stays valid for 3 years — clear PET 2026 to unlock Lekhpal, VDO, Forest Guard and dozens more UP sarkari posts.
📅 Last Updated: 5 October 2026
What is UPSSSC PET 2026?
UPSSSC PET (Preliminary Eligibility Test) is a pre-screening written exam made mandatory by the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission since 2021. Any candidate wishing to apply for Group B and C posts under UPSSSC must clear this test first — it is not a recruitment exam by itself, but a gateway score that qualifies you for subsequent main exams.
The exam tests 15 subjects in 100 MCQ questions over 2 hours. There is negative marking of 0.25 per wrong answer, so accuracy matters alongside speed. UPSSSC publishes a scorecard for every candidate; only those who meet the cut-off set for a specific recruitment are called for that exam's next stage. Note: PET has no fixed pass mark — each later recruitment sets its own shortlisting cut-off from PET scores.
💡 Key fact: From PET 2025 onwards, your PET score is valid for 3 years from the result date (previously 1 year). During this window, you can apply for multiple UPSSSC main recruitment exams (Lekhpal, VDO, Junior Assistant, etc.) without reappearing for PET.
PET Exam Date 2026 – Schedule & Timeline
| Exam Date | Day | Shift 1 | Shift 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 October 2026 | Sunday | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| 30 October 2026 | Friday | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| 1 November 2026 | Sunday | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| UPSSSC PET 2021 Exam Held | 24 August 2021 | ✅ Done |
| UPSSSC PET 2021 Result Released | 28 October 2021 | ✅ Done |
| UPSSSC PET 2022 Exam Held | 15 & 16 October 2022 | ✅ Done |
| UPSSSC PET 2022 Result Released | 25 January 2023 | ✅ Done |
| UPSSSC PET 2023 Notification Released | August 2023 | ✅ Done |
| UPSSSC PET 2023 Exam Held | 28 & 29 October 2023 | ✅ Done |
| UPSSSC PET 2023 Result Released | 29 January 2024 | ✅ Done |
| UPSSSC PET 2025 Notification Released | 2 May 2025 | ✅ Done |
| UPSSSC PET 2025 Application Window | 14 May – 17 June 2025 | ✅ Done |
| UPSSSC PET 2025 Exam Held | 6 & 7 September 2025 | ✅ Done |
| UPSSSC PET 2025 Answer Key Released | 9 September 2025 | ✅ Done |
| UPSSSC PET 2025 Result Released | 5 December 2025 | ✅ Done |
| UPSSSC PET 2025 Revised Scorecard | 9 December 2025 | ✅ Done |
| 🆕 UPSSSC PET 2026 – Notification Released | 1 August 2026 (Advt. No. 16-Pariksha/2026) | ✅ Done |
| UPSSSC PET 2026 – Application Window | 3 August – 7 September 2026 (extended from 1 September) | ✅ Done |
| UPSSSC PET 2026 – Fee Reconciliation & Correction Window | Till 8 September 2026 | ✅ Done |
| UPSSSC PET 2026 – Exam Schedule First Announced (23, 24 & 25 October) | 9 September 2026 | ✅ Done |
| UPSSSC PET 2026 – Revised Exam Schedule Notice | 25 September 2026 (Notice No. 1423/36/3(Exam-1)/2026/Part-2) | ✅ Done |
| UPSSSC PET 2026 – Admit Card | TBN ⚠️ — not released as of 5 October 2026 | ⚠️ TBN |
| UPSSSC PET 2026 – Exam Dates (Revised) | 25 October, 30 October & 1 November 2026 — two shifts: 10 AM–12 PM and 3–5 PM | 📅 Scheduled |
| UPSSSC PET 2026 – Answer Key | To Be Notified (TBN) | ⚠️ TBN |
| UPSSSC PET 2026 – Result | To Be Notified (TBN) | ⚠️ TBN |
PET Admit Card 2026 & Exam Day Checklist
📥 How to download the admit card
- Open upsssc.gov.in.
- Click the PET 2026 admit card link on the homepage (it appears only after release).
- Enter your registration number, date of birth, gender and the verification code.
- Download the admit card, check your name, photo, exam date, shift and centre, and take a clear printout.
🎒 What to carry on exam day
- Printed admit card
- One original photo ID — Aadhaar card, Voter ID, PAN card, passport or driving licence (photocopies are not accepted)
- A ballpoint pen for the OMR sheet
- Follow the reporting time and rules printed on your admit card — those instructions are final
Eligibility Criteria 2026
Nationality
Indian citizen. Domicile of Uttar Pradesh is required for most UPSSSC posts (though PET itself is open to all Indians).
Educational Qualification
Minimum 10th Pass (High School) from a recognised Board. Graduates/PG candidates are also eligible — no upper bar on qualification.
Age Limit (General)
Minimum 18 years. Maximum 40 years, counted as on 1 July 2026 for PET 2026.
Age Relaxation
SC / ST / OBC: +5 years each | PwBD: +15 years | Meritorious sportspersons: +5 years | Ex-Servicemen: as per UP Govt. rules. Category relaxation applies only to UP domicile candidates.
PET Cycle History (2021–2026)
UPSSSC PET has been conducted since 2021 (held in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025 — no PET was held in 2024). From PET 2025 onwards, score validity was extended from 1 year to 3 years.
| Cycle | Exam Date | Result | Applicants | Score Valid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PET 2021 | Aug 2021 | Oct 2021 | ~17.99 Lakh (appeared) | 1 Year |
| PET 2022 | Oct 2022 | Jan 2023 | ~25 Lakh (appeared) | 1 Year |
| PET 2023 | Oct 2023 | Jan 2024 | 12.58 Lakh (appeared) | 1 Year |
| PET 2025 | Sep 6–7, 2025 | Dec 5, 2025 | 19.43 Lakh (appeared) | 3 Years ✅ |
| PET 2026 (applications closed) | 25 & 30 Oct, 1 Nov 2026 | TBN | ~35.42 Lakh (registered) | 3 Years |
UPSSSC PET 2026 Exam Pattern
| S.No | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Indian History | 5 |
| 02 | Indian National Movement | 5 |
| 03 | Geography (India + World) | 5 |
| 04 | Indian Economy | 5 |
| 05 | Indian Constitution & Public Admin | 5 |
| 06 | General Science | 5 |
| 07 | Elementary Mathematics (Up to 8th) | 5 |
| 08 | General Hindi | 5 |
| 09 | General English (Up to 8th) | 5 |
| 10 | Reasoning & Mental Ability | 5 |
| 11 | General Awareness (Current Affairs) | 10 |
| 12 | Hindi Apathit Gadyansh (2 passages) | 10 |
| 13 | English Apathit Gadyansh (2 passages) | 10 |
| 14 | Graph Interpretation (2 graphs) | 10 |
| 15 | Table Interpretation (2 tables) | 10 |
| Total | 100 | |
Detailed Syllabus – All 15 Subjects
01Indian History5 marks
02Indian National Movement5 marks
03Geography5 marks
04Indian Economy5 marks
05Indian Constitution & Public Administration5 marks
06General Science5 marks
07Elementary Mathematics5 marks
08General Hindi5 marks
09General English5 marks
10Reasoning & Mental Ability5 marks
11General Awareness10 marks
12Apathit Hindi Gadyansh10 marks
13Apathit English Gadyansh10 marks
14Graph Interpretation10 marks
15Table Interpretation10 marks
Cut-offs – How PET Scores Are Used
After PET – Posts You Can Apply For
Once you clear UPSSSC PET, your score remains valid for 3 years and you can apply for these major Group B and C recruitment exams without reappearing for PET:
| Post | Department | Pay Level | Salary | Recent Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lekhpal (Revenue Patwari) | Revenue & Land Records, UP | Pay Level 3 | ₹21,700–₹69,100/month | 7,994 (Advt 02-Exam/2025; Mains result 11 Sep 2026) |
| Junior Assistant / Clerk | Various State Departments | Pay Level 3 | ₹21,700–₹69,100/month | Varies (released post-wise) |
| VDO (Village Development Officer) | Panchayati Raj, UP | Pay Level 3 | ₹21,700–₹69,100/month | 1,468 (Advt 01/2023) |
| Forest Guard / Wildlife Guard | Forest Department, UP | Pay Level 2 | ₹19,900–₹63,200/month | 708 (Advt 12-Pariksha/2026) |
| Supply Inspector | Food & Civil Supplies, UP | Pay Level 6 | ₹35,400–₹1,12,400/month | Notified Separately |
| Group C Posts (Various) | Multiple Departments, UP | Level 2–6 | ₹19,900–₹1,12,400/month | 10,000+ annually |
- UP Lekhpal (7,994 posts, Advt 02-Exam/2025) — Mains held 21 May 2026; result declared 11 September 2026, with 28,409 candidates shortlisted for document verification
- UPSSSC Forest Guard & Wildlife Guard 2026 (708 posts) — applications closed 20 July 2026 (Advt 12-Pariksha/2026)
- UPSSSC Combined Lower Subordinate (Graduate Level) 2026 (2,285 posts) — applications closed 18 June 2026 (Advt 07-Exam/2026)
- UPSSSC ASO / ARO 2025 (929 posts) — applications opened April 2026 for PET 2025-qualified candidates
These recruitments used PET 2025 scores. PET 2026 scores will be needed for recruitments advertised after the PET 2026 result. Verify all dates and details at upsssc.gov.in.
How to Apply for UPSSSC PET 2026
Register on UPSSSC Portal
Visit upsssc.gov.in. Click "Apply" → "New Registration". Enter your name, mobile number and email. You will receive an OTP. Verify and create a password. Save your Registration Number.
Fill Application Form
Login with your credentials. Fill personal details, educational qualification, category, gender and UP domicile details accurately. Cross-check everything before proceeding — corrections are only allowed in the correction window.
Upload Photo & Signature
Upload a recent colour passport-size photo (20–50 KB, JPEG) and your handwritten signature (10–20 KB, JPEG). Dimensions: Photo 3.5×4.5 cm, Signature 3.5×1.5 cm.
Pay Application Fee
General/OBC: ₹185 | SC/ST: ₹95 | PwBD: ₹25. Keep the payment receipt for your records. (Fees as per the PET 2026 advertisement.)
Submit & Print
Submit the form and download/print the confirmation page. Store it safely along with your payment receipt. Your application ID will be needed for admit card and all future correspondence.
4-Month Study Plan for UPSSSC PET 2026
Foundation: History, Geography & Polity
- ✓Indian History: Complete Class 6–10 NCERT books first (2 weeks)
- ✓Geography: India & World – NCERT Class 9–10 (1 week)
- ✓Indian Constitution: Basics of Preamble, FRs, DPSPs (1 week)
- ✓Daily: 30 min General Hindi grammar practice
Core Subjects: Economy, Science & Maths
- ✓Indian Economy: NCERT Class 9–10 + UP Economy focus (1 week)
- ✓General Science: Class 8–10 NCERT (1 week)
- ✓Maths: Percentage, SI/CI, Profit/Loss, Time-Work (2 weeks)
- ✓Daily: 20 questions from previous year papers
Language & Reasoning
- ✓Hindi: Vyakaran (Sandhi, Samas, Vilom, Paryayvachi) – all 3 weeks mixed with daily practice
- ✓English: Tense, Voice, Narration, Comprehension (1 week)
- ✓Reasoning: Series, Analogy, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations (2 weeks)
- ✓Daily: 1 full passage reading with comprehension
Data & Current Affairs + Full Mock Tests
- ✓Graph & Table Interpretation: 25 questions/day from previous papers
- ✓Current Affairs: Last 6 months – read monthly compilation PDF
- ✓Weekly: 2 full mock tests (100 Q / 2 hrs each)
- ✓Final 2 weeks: Revise weak topics only, no new material
Best Books for UPSSSC PET 2026
| Book | Author | Subject | Find Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samanya Hindi | Dr. Hardev Bahri | General Hindi | — |
| Wren & Martin – High School Grammar | P.C. Wren & H. Martin | General English | — |
| Modern Indian History | Bipan Chandra | Indian History | — |
| Indian Polity (Laxmikanth) | M. Laxmikanth | Indian Polity | Find on Amazon |
| Geography of India | Majid Husain | Geography | — |
| Lucent's General Science | Lucent Publications | General Science | Find on Amazon |
| Rakesh Yadav Class Notes Maths | Rakesh Yadav | Mathematics | Find on Amazon |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | Reasoning | Find on Amazon |
| Monthly Current Affairs Capsule | GK Today / Affairscloud | Current Affairs | — |
| UPSSSC PET Previous Year Papers | Arihant / Kiran | UPSSSC PET Practice | — |
Links marked (paid link) are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This costs you nothing extra, and books are chosen on merit only — no publisher pays us to recommend a title.
Free Study Resources
Official notifications, admit cards, results and answer keys.
Free Hindi lectures on History, Polity, Science for PET.
Detailed UP PET subject-wise classes in Hindi. Very popular.
Free daily current affairs and monthly PDF compilations.
Expert Tips to Crack UPSSSC PET 2026
Graph & Table = 20 Marks – Don't Ignore
Sections 14 and 15 (Graph & Table Interpretation) together carry 20 marks but are often skipped. Practice 20–25 DI questions daily from last year's papers — it's the fastest way to add marks.
Current Affairs: Last 6 Months Is Enough
10 marks in Section 11 come purely from the last 6 months of national and UP-level news. Make a short 2-page handwritten notes sheet of key appointments, awards and schemes before the exam.
PET Score Is Valid for 3 Years Now
From PET 2025 onwards, your UPSSSC PET score is valid for 3 years from the date of result. This gives you multiple chances to apply for UPSSSC main recruitment exams (Lekhpal, VDO, Junior Assistant, etc.) — plan strategically across recruitment cycles.
Beware of Negative Marking (–0.25)
UPSSSC PET deducts 0.25 marks for every wrong answer. Don't blindly guess — but don't leave too many blank either. If you can eliminate 2 options, attempt the question. PET has no fixed pass mark: each later recruitment sets its own shortlisting cut-off from PET scores, so every extra mark widens your options.
Section-Wise Target: 70+ Out of 100
Set yourself a target of 70+, because a higher PET score keeps more later recruitments within reach. Aim for 8–9 correct in every 10-mark subject rather than trying to ace one and neglect others.
Master UP-Specific GK
Questions on UP districts, rivers, schemes (UP Lekhpal, UP Ration, UP Bhumi), UP Chief Minister's initiatives, and state capitals appear every year. Dedicate one dedicated week to UP-specific GK before the exam.
UPSSSC PET 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions
What is UPSSSC PET and why is it important?
Who is eligible for UPSSSC PET 2026?
What is the exam pattern for UPSSSC PET 2026?
Is there negative marking in UPSSSC PET?
How long is the UPSSSC PET score valid?
What is the application fee for UPSSSC PET 2026?
What is the PET exam date 2026?
When will the UPSSSC PET 2026 admit card be released?
How many candidates applied for UPSSSC PET 2026?
What should I carry to the UPSSSC PET 2026 exam centre?
The information provided on this page is compiled from the official UPSSSC website (upsssc.gov.in), the UPSSSC PET 2026 advertisement (No. 16-Pariksha/2026 dated 1 August 2026), the revised exam schedule notice dated 25 September 2026 and reputable independent education news sources, as of 5 October 2026. While we strive to keep all dates, vacancies, salary figures, eligibility criteria and exam patterns accurate and up to date, government recruitment information can change without notice — particularly fees, vacancies, dates and pay-commission revisions.
The UPSSSC PET 2026 notification was released on 1 August 2026 and applications closed on 7 September 2026 (extended from 1 September). The exam is scheduled for 25 October, 30 October and 1 November 2026 under the revised schedule; the admit card date has not yet been announced and remains marked "To Be Notified (TBN)". Salary figures shown reflect the 7th Pay Commission matrix currently in effect (the 8th Pay Commission was constituted in November 2025 and its report is expected mid-2027; until then, all UP government salaries remain under the 7th CPC structure).
Before applying for UPSSSC PET 2026 or any linked recruitment, candidates must verify all details — including eligibility, fees, age limits, and important dates — directly from the official notification PDF on upsssc.gov.in. TaiyarHo.in is an independent free preparation guide and is not affiliated with UPSSSC or the Government of Uttar Pradesh.