UPSSSC PET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit and Qualification

UPSSSC PET Eligibility Criteria 2026: The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC) conducts the Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) for candidates seeking recruitment to various posts under its jurisdiction. Candidates must meet the prescribed educational qualification and age requirements before applying. As per the 2026 notification, applicants must have passed Class 10 or an equivalent examination and must satisfy the prescribed age limit as of the specified cutoff date.

The UPSSSC PET 2026 notification was issued under Advertisement No. 16-Exam/2026. Candidates should carefully check the official notification for the eligibility conditions, age relaxation rules and other applicable requirements before relying on their eligibility.

UPSSSC PET Eligibility Criteria 2026 Overview

Candidates can refer to the following table for the key eligibility requirements for UPSSSC PET 2026.

Important: PET eligibility does not automatically establish eligibility for every recruitment conducted through UPSSSC. Candidates must also satisfy the educational, age, experience and other requirements specified in the notification for the individual post.

UPSSSC PET Educational Qualification 2026

The minimum educational qualification for UPSSSC PET 2026 is passing Class 10 (High School) or an equivalent examination from a recognised board. Candidates with higher educational qualifications can also apply, provided they satisfy the other prescribed conditions.

What Is the Minimum Qualification for UPSSSC PET?

Candidates must have passed Class 10 or an equivalent examination from a recognised board. Class 12, graduation or a postgraduate degree is not a substitute for checking the other eligibility requirements; candidates must also satisfy the prescribed age and application conditions.

Can I Give the UPSSSC PET Exam After 12th?

Yes. Candidates who have passed Class 12 can meet the minimum educational qualification for UPSSSC PET 2026 because the minimum requirement is Class 10 or equivalent. They must also meet the age limit and all other conditions mentioned in the notification.

Candidates should note that some posts advertised after PET may require Intermediate, graduation, a diploma, a specific subject qualification or additional certificates. Passing PET does not waive these post-specific requirements.

UPSSSC PET Age Limit 2026

The reported age limit for UPSSSC PET 2026 is 18 to 40 years, calculated as of 1 July 2026. Candidates must verify their date of birth against their Class 10 certificate and the official notification before applying.

UPSSSC PET Age Limit for General Category

For candidates in the General or Unreserved category, the reported minimum age is 18 years and the maximum age is 40 years as of 1 July 2026. Candidates should check the notification for any applicable special-category concessions.

Candidates should use the official cutoff date rather than calculating eligibility from the current date or the date on which the application form was submitted.

UPSSSC PET Age Limit for OBC Category

Eligible OBC candidates may receive relaxation in the upper age limit according to the applicable Uttar Pradesh government rules and the provisions of the PET 2026 notification.

The precise relaxation depends on the applicable category rules and the candidate's eligibility for the claimed benefit. Candidates should check the required certificate conditions and the notification before calculating their maximum permissible age.

UPSSSC PET Age Limit for SC/ST and Other Eligible Categories

Age relaxation may be available to eligible SC, ST, OBC and other specified categories under the applicable rules. Additional concessions may apply to eligible persons with benchmark disabilities, ex-servicemen, classified sportspersons and certain government employees.

The following table summarises the categories for which candidates should check the relevant provisions. It is not a substitute for the detailed rules in the official notification.

Note: Do not assume that multiple age relaxations can be combined. Candidates must follow the specific provisions governing their category and provide the required supporting documents.

What Is the Minimum Age for UPSSSC PET 2026?

The reported minimum age is 18 years as of 1 July 2026. Candidates should verify their date of birth and the exact cutoff-date provisions in the official notification.

Who Can Apply for UPSSSC PET 2026?

Candidates can apply for UPSSSC PET 2026 if they meet the prescribed eligibility conditions. The principal requirements include:

• Passing Class 10 or an equivalent examination from a recognised board.

• Meeting the minimum and maximum age requirements as of the prescribed cutoff date.

• Satisfying the nationality and other conditions mentioned in the official notification.

• Providing accurate personal, educational and category details in the application.

• Possessing the required certificates for any category-based concession being claimed.

• Completing the prescribed registration and application formalities.

Candidates should read the notification carefully before applying. Eligibility for PET and eligibility for a particular post are separate matters, and further conditions may apply at the recruitment stage.

Can Candidates from Other States Apply for UPSSSC PET?

Candidates from other states should check the nationality, application eligibility and reservation provisions in the official PET 2026 notification.

The ability to submit an application or appear for PET should not be confused with entitlement to Uttar Pradesh reservation benefits. Candidates from outside Uttar Pradesh may be treated differently for category-based reservation or age relaxation, depending on the applicable rules.

Candidates should confirm whether their category certificate and domicile status meet the requirements before claiming any concession. They should not assume that a reservation benefit available in their home state automatically applies to Uttar Pradesh recruitment.

How Many Times Can You Appear for UPSSSC PET?

Candidates should check the official notification for any attempt-related restrictions. The available eligibility summary does not identify a separate fixed maximum number of attempts for PET 2026.

Candidates must still satisfy the prescribed age and educational qualification requirements whenever they apply. The number of times a candidate can take the examination is distinct from the validity of a PET score and the conditions for applying to a particular recruitment.

Is Work Experience Required for UPSSSC PET 2026?

No general prior-work-experience requirement is identified for the PET examination itself in the available eligibility summary. Candidates who meet the minimum educational qualification and other prescribed conditions can check the notification for confirmation.

However, individual posts advertised through UPSSSC may require relevant work experience, a technical qualification, a diploma, a licence, or other specific credentials. Candidates must read the separate recruitment notification before applying for a post.

Important Points to Check Before Applying

Before relying on the eligibility criteria, candidates should:

1. Read Advertisement No. 16-Exam/2026 on the official UPSSSC website.

2. Verify the minimum qualification and the date by which it must have been obtained.

3. Check the age calculation date and confirm that their date of birth meets the requirements.

4. Read the relevant age-relaxation provisions before claiming a concession.

5. Confirm whether their category and domicile documents satisfy the applicable rules.

6. Check the additional eligibility requirements for any post they intend to pursue after PET.

7. Ensure that all details entered in the application match their supporting documents.

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