UPSSSC PET
What is UPSSSC PET?
Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission — Preliminary Eligibility Test
Conducting Body: UPSSSC
State: Uttar Pradesh
Exam Type: State-level eligibility test for Group B/C recruitment
https://upsssc.gov.in" class="inlink">Official Website{ .cta-button }
UPSSSC PET is a common preliminary screening test conducted to shortlist candidates for various UPSSSC Group B and Group C recruitments in Uttar Pradesh. It is not the final recruitment exam by itself; rather, the PET score is used to determine eligibility for post-specific main examinations such as Lekhpal, Clerk, and other UPSSSC recruitments.
If you want to build a career in Uttar Pradesh government services through UPSSSC, PET is the first important step. It simplifies the recruitment process by creating a single eligibility gateway for multiple posts.
Key Highlights at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPSSSC PET |
| Full Form | Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission — Preliminary Eligibility Test |
| Conducting Body | UPSSSC |
| Scope | State |
| Region | Uttar Pradesh |
| Department | UPSSSC (Group B/C) |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Official Portal | https://upsssc.gov.in |
| Exam Nature | Qualifying / screening test |
| Purpose | Shortlisting for UPSSSC mains exams |
| Broad Eligibility | Varies by post; generally 10th/12th/graduate level for downstream posts |
Important Dates Timeline
All dates and notices must be verified on the official website before applying.
| Event | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Notification | As per official UPSSSC notice |
| Application Start | As per official UPSSSC notice |
| Application End | As per official UPSSSC notice |
| Correction Window | As per official UPSSSC notice |
| Admit Card | Before the exam, as notified |
| Exam Date | As per official UPSSSC notice |
| Result | After the exam, as notified |
| PET Score Validity | As per the latest official notification |
Eligibility Criteria
UPSSSC PET is a screening test, so the eligibility framework is used mainly for entry into the PET and for the recruitment rules of the posts that follow.
Educational Qualification
- The minimum educational requirement depends on the post for which PET is used later.
- Commonly, eligible candidates may have qualification at 10th, 12th, or graduation level, depending on the downstream post.
Age Limit
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Maximum age: 40 years
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC | As per UP Government rules |
| ST | As per UP Government rules |
| OBC | As per UP Government rules |
| EWS | As per applicable UP Government rules |
| Women | As per applicable UP Government rules |
| PwBD | As per applicable UP Government rules |
| Ex-servicemen | As per applicable UP Government rules |
Nationality / Domicile
- Candidate must be an Indian citizen
- Uttar Pradesh domicile is preferred as per recruitment requirements and category rules of the subsequent post
Reservation Policy
Reservation is applied according to the UP Government policy and the specific recruitment notification issued for the relevant post.
Vertical Reservation
- General
- OBC
- SC
- ST
- EWS
Horizontal Reservation
- Women
- PwBD
- Ex-servicemen
Reservation, certificates, and category benefits are applied as per the official UPSSSC and Uttar Pradesh Government rules in force at the time of recruitment.
Exam Pattern
UPSSSC PET is the first-stage screening test. The PET score is then used for shortlisting in post-specific mains examinations.
| Stage | Papers / Subjects | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PET | GS, Reasoning, Maths and related topics | 100 | 2 hours | 1/4 mark per wrong answer |
Exam Nature
- Objective-type multiple-choice questions
- Offline examination
- Screening only; final selection depends on the subsequent post-specific process
Selection Process
The selection process generally follows this sequence:
1. PET examination
2. Shortlisting based on PET score
3. Post-specific main examination
4. Document verification
5. Final appointment
PET is the qualifying gateway, while the main recruitment happens through the later stage exam for the target post.
Syllabus Overview
The PET syllabus is broad and focused on general awareness and foundational aptitude.
Major Subjects
- Indian History
- Uttar Pradesh History and Culture
- Indian Geography
- Uttar Pradesh Geography
- Indian Polity
- Indian Economy
- General Science
- Current Affairs
- Reasoning
- Mathematics
- Hindi
- Elementary English
High-Weight Areas
- UP-specific GK
- Current affairs
- Basic arithmetic
- Reasoning
- Hindi grammar and usage
- General science fundamentals
How to Apply
Apply only through the official UPSSSC portal.
Step-by-Step Application Flow
1. Visit the official website: https://upsssc.gov.in**
2. Open the PET notification link
3. Complete one-time registration, if required
4. Fill the application form carefully
5. Upload the required documents and photograph/signature
6. Pay the application fee online
7. Submit the form
8. Download and print the confirmation page
Documents Usually Needed
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Signature
- Educational qualification details
- Category certificate, if applicable
- Domicile-related details, if required by the notice
- Identity proof details
- PwBD / ex-serviceman certificate, where applicable
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹185 |
| SC / ST | ₹95 |
| PwBD | ₹25 |
Payment Modes
- Online payment through the UPSSSC application portal
- Common digital payment methods as enabled in the official portal during the application window
Vacancies / Shortlisting Use-Case
UPSSSC PET is not a vacancy-specific recruitment by itself. It is used for shortlisting candidates for later mains examinations for various UPSSSC Group B/C posts.
Common Use
- Lekhpal
- Clerk-level posts
- Other Group B/C recruitments notified by UPSSSC
Your PET score acts as the eligibility gate for the next recruitment stage.
Salary / Post Prospects
Since PET is a qualifying test, salary depends on the final post selected through the subsequent mains recruitment.
Common Pay-Level Range
- Level 2 to Level 7, depending on the post
Examples of post prospects through PET-based recruitment:
- Clerical roles
- Revenue-related posts
- Assistants and other Group C positions
- Selected Group B posts as notified
Cutoff Trends
PET cutoff is used for shortlisting into mains and can vary by category, notification cycle, and vacancy requirements.
What Affects the Cutoff
- Number of applicants
- Number of vacancies in the downstream post
- Difficulty level of the paper
- Reservation category
- Normalization or merit rules in the official notification
For the latest cutoff, always check the official UPSSSC notice for the specific recruitment cycle.
Preparation Strategy
A smart PET strategy should focus on breadth, speed, and revision.
3-Step Plan
1. Build UP GK first
Focus on Uttar Pradesh history, geography, culture, and current affairs.
2. Strengthen core scoring areas
Work on reasoning, arithmetic, Hindi, and basic science.
3. Revise with mocks
Use timed mock tests and previous papers to improve accuracy.
Study Plan
- Month 1–2: Syllabus coverage
- Month 3–4: Revision + topic-wise tests
- Month 5–6: Full-length mocks and weak-area improvement
Best Practice
- Maintain short notes for UP GK and current affairs
- Practice daily arithmetic and reasoning sets
- Revise formulas, grammar rules, and key facts regularly
Books & Resources
Recommended Study Sources
- UPSSSC PET guide books
- Uttar Pradesh General Knowledge books
- NCERT basics for science, history, geography, and polity
- Previous year papers and mock tests
- Current affairs compilations
What to Prioritize
- UP-specific GK
- Objective practice sets
- Hindi grammar
- Basic quantitative aptitude
- Reasoning practice
Post-PET Career Path
The usual path is:
PET Score → Post-specific mains exam → Document verification → Final appointment
PET opens the door to multiple UPSSSC recruitments, but the final selection depends on the separate recruitment notification and the performance in the main exam.
Official Sources
- https://upsssc.gov.in" class="inlink">UPSSSC Official Website
- https://upsssc.gov.in" class="inlink">Latest Notification / Apply Portal
Always verify eligibility, dates, fees, and instructions on the official website before applying.
FAQs
1. What is UPSSSC PET and why is it conducted?
UPSSSC PET is a preliminary eligibility test used to shortlist candidates for various UPSSSC Group B and Group C recruitments in Uttar Pradesh. It is conducted to streamline recruitment through a common screening exam.
2. What is the full form of UPSSSC PET?
UPSSSC PET stands for Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission — Preliminary Eligibility Test.
3. Which body conducts the UPSSSC PET exam?
The exam is conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC).
4. Is UPSSSC PET a qualifying exam or a final recruitment exam?
It is a qualifying / screening exam, not the final recruitment exam. The PET score is used for shortlisting in later post-specific mains exams.
5. For which posts is the PET score used?
The PET score is used for various UPSSSC Group B/C recruitments, including posts such as Lekhpal, Clerk, and other notified vacancies.
6. What is the minimum educational qualification for UPSSSC PET?
The minimum qualification depends on the later post. Generally, eligible candidates may have 10th, 12th, or graduation-level qualification depending on the recruitment they apply for after PET.
7. What is the age limit for UPSSSC PET?
The general age range is 18 to 40 years.
8. Is there age relaxation for reserved categories in UPSSSC PET?
Yes. Age relaxation is provided as per UP Government rules for reserved and eligible categories.
9. What is the exam pattern of UPSSSC PET?
UPSSSC PET is an offline objective test with 100 multiple-choice questions for 100 marks and a duration of 2 hours.
10. Is there negative marking in UPSSSC PET?
Yes. The exam carries negative marking of 1/4 mark for each wrong answer.
11. What subjects are included in the UPSSSC PET syllabus?
The syllabus includes Indian and Uttar Pradesh history, geography, reasoning, mathematics, Hindi, current affairs, and general awareness-related topics.
12. Is UPSSSC PET conducted online or offline?
UPSSSC PET is conducted offline.
13. How can I apply for UPSSSC PET?
You can apply online through the official UPSSSC website: https://upsssc.gov.in**. Register, fill the form, upload documents, pay the fee, and submit the application.
14. What is the official website for UPSSSC PET?
The official website is https://upsssc.gov.in**.
15. What is the application fee for UPSSSC PET?
The fee is ₹185 for General/OBC, ₹95 for SC/ST, and ₹25 for PwBD candidates.
16. Does PET score make me eligible for all UPSSSC Group B/C posts?
No. PET score is used for shortlisting in many UPSSSC Group B/C recruitments, but eligibility for each post also depends on the specific recruitment notification and its rules.
17. How long is the UPSSSC PET score valid?
The score is valid for the period mentioned in the official notification for the relevant recruitment cycle.
18. Is domicile of Uttar Pradesh mandatory for UPSSSC PET?
Indian citizenship is required. Uttar Pradesh domicile is generally preferred and may be important according to the rules of the post-specific recruitment.
19. What documents are usually needed for UPSSSC PET application?
Usually required documents include photo, signature, educational details, identity proof details, and category-related certificates if applicable.
20. How should I prepare for UPSSSC PET effectively?
Focus on UP GK, current affairs, reasoning, math, Hindi, and basic science, then revise with mock tests and previous year questions under timed conditions.