UP PET 2026 exams begin for 35.42 lakh aspirants

The UP PET 2026 examination began on October 25, 2026, with the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC) holding the first day of its Preliminary Eligibility Test for Group B and Group C posts in the state government. A record 35.42 lakh candidates registered for the test, up from about 25.3 lakh in the previous cycle.

The UP PET 2026 is a screening test. It shortlists candidates for the main recruitment examinations of individual posts. Lekhpal, VDO and Junior Assistant are among the posts for which the score is used. Qualifying in the test does not by itself secure a government post, and candidates still have to clear the main examination and any other stage that applies to the post they seek.

The commission uses a single screening test because individual recruitments draw very large numbers of applications. Shortlisting on the PET score lets it call a manageable number of candidates for each main examination.

UP PET 2026 revised schedule

Under the revised schedule issued on September 25, 2026, the UP PET 2026 will be held on three days: October 25, October 30 and November 1, 2026. The earlier plan had placed the test on October 23, 24 and 25. The change followed the scheduling of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council biennial election, for which polling is set for October 23, 2026.

Each examination day has two shifts. The first shift runs from 10 am to 12 noon, and the second from 3 pm to 5 pm. Candidates have been told to rely on their admit cards for their allotted date, shift and centre.

The paper carries 100 questions and lasts two hours, matching the two-hour shift length. Candidates answer multiple-choice questions, and the commission deducts a quarter mark for each wrong answer.

Posts open through the UP PET 2026 score

Candidates who qualify can apply for main examinations for posts that fall under the UPSSSC recruitment system, subject to the eligibility rules of each post. The posts include Lekhpal (Rajaswa Lekhpal), Gram Vikas Adhikari (VDO) and Junior Assistant, along with Forest Guard, Agricultural Technical Assistant, Auditor, Lab Technician and X-ray Technician.

The minimum qualification for the test is a high school or Class 10 pass, and the age band is 18 to 40 years. Candidates need at least 33 per cent to qualify. The score stays valid for three years from the date of the result, so one attempt can cover several recruitment cycles.

The process began under Advertisement No. 16-Exam/2026, with applications opening on August 3, 2026. After candidates reported technical glitches and one-time registration verification problems, the commission extended the last date for applications to September 7, 2026.

What candidates should check for UP PET 2026

Candidates should check their admit cards for the exact date, shift, reporting time and centre, since the three-day schedule means not every candidate appears on the same day. The commission has said centre changes after admit cards are issued are rare, and candidates should follow the instructions printed on the admit card.

The UP PET 2026 score is used only for shortlisting. Each recruitment that follows has its own main examination and its own eligibility conditions, and the PET score alone does not decide selection.

For candidates, the practical point is simple: the PET opens the door to the main examinations, and the main examinations decide selection. The next dates in the UP PET 2026 cycle are October 30 and November 1, 2026, and the commission will publish further updates on the commission portal.