UPSSSC PET Eligibility 2026: Age Limit, Qualification and Relaxation

UPSSSC PET eligibility is simple compared with most government exams: a Class 10 pass and an age between 18 and 40 years. The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission sets these conditions for the Preliminary Eligibility Test, the common screening exam for Group C recruitment in Uttar Pradesh. For PET 2026, age is counted as on 1 July 2026.

Applications for PET 2026 closed in September 2026, and the exam is scheduled for 25 October, 30 October and 1 November 2026. This page explains the qualification and age rules, category-wise relaxation, who cannot apply, and how PET eligibility differs from the eligibility of the posts you apply for later.

UPSSSC PET Eligibility

Educational Qualification

You must have passed High School (Class 10) or an equivalent examination from a board recognised by the government. There is no minimum percentage requirement for PET.

• Higher qualifications are accepted: Candidates with Class 12, ITI, diploma, graduation or postgraduation can take PET.

• Result must be declared: Your Class 10 result should be out by the closing date of the application, as stated in the advertisement.

• Post-specific qualifications come later: A Lekhpal, Junior Assistant or technical post has its own qualification, such as Class 12, a CCC certificate or a diploma. That is checked in the recruitment for the post, not in PET.

Age Limit and Relaxation

Candidates must be at least 18 and not more than 40 years old as on 1 July 2026. In practice, that means you should have been born between 2 July 1986 and 1 July 2008. Check the exact date-of-birth window in the official advertisement.

These figures are as reported from the PET 2026 advertisement. The Commission states SC, ST and OBC relaxation as "as per rules" rather than as a number in the PET advertisement. Under UP rules this has commonly been 5 years, but treat that as indicative and confirm it in the official notification before relying on it.

Nationality, Domicile and Other Conditions

• Indian citizenship: Candidates must be citizens of India.

• Domicile for reservation: Reservation and age relaxation for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, dependants of freedom fighters and similar categories apply only to Uttar Pradesh domicile candidates. Candidates from other states can take PET but are treated as unreserved.

• Horizontal reservation: Women, ex-servicemen, persons with disabilities, dependants of freedom fighters and outstanding sportspersons are covered by horizontal reservation, adjusted within their vertical category.

• Category certificates: Certificates must be in the format and validity period the advertisement prescribes. They are checked at the recruitment stage.

Who Is Not Eligible

• Under 18 or over the age limit: Candidates outside the age band on 1 July 2026, after any relaxation, cannot apply.

• Class 10 not passed: Candidates without a recognised High School pass or equivalent are not eligible.

• No OTR: An application without a completed One Time Registration is not accepted.

• Debarred candidates: Candidates debarred by the Commission, such as those found using unfair means in an earlier exam, are not eligible for the period of debarment.

Application Fee

Female candidates, ex-servicemen, dependants of freedom fighters and sportspersons pay the fee of their base category. The PET 2026 application window closed on 7 September 2026 after an extension. PET Eligibility Versus Post Eligibility

Passing the PET eligibility check only lets you sit for PET. To use your PET score, you must also meet the qualification, age and other conditions of each Group C recruitment you apply for. The age reference date for a recruitment can differ from the PET reference date, so check every notice separately.

The official advertisement and notices are available on the UPSSSC website.