UPSSSC PET 2026: Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Free Practice Questions
The UPSSSC Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) is conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC), Lucknow to shortlist candidates for the main exams of all UPSSSC Group C posts. It has 100 questions for 100 marks in 2 hours, and ¼ mark deducted for each wrong answer. Below is the official section-wise pattern, with free practice questions and step-by-step solutions for each section.
- Conducted by
- Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC), Lucknow
- Used for
- Group C posts under UPSSSC
- Mode
- Written, objective multiple-choice
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Questions / Marks
- 100 questions · 100 marks
- Marking
- +1 for each correct answer
- Negative marking
- ¼ mark deducted for each wrong answer
- Medium
- Hindi and English (bilingual paper)
UPSSSC PET 2026 notification: dates, fees & eligibility
Important dates
- Notification (Advt. No. 16-Exam/2026)
- 1 August 2026
- Online application opens
- 3 August 2026
- Last date to apply and pay the fee
- 1 September 2026
- Correction window
- 10 August – 8 September 2026
- Last date for fee reconciliation and corrections
- 8 September 2026
- Exam dates
- 25 October, 30 October and 1 November 2026 (two shifts a day; announced by UPSSSC after the notification)
Application fee
- General (Unreserved) / OBC
- ₹185 (₹160 + ₹25 processing)
- SC / ST
- ₹95 (₹70 + ₹25 processing)
- Persons with disabilities
- ₹25 (processing fee only)
Eligibility
- •Education: High School (Class 10) or equivalent, passed on or before the last date of application.
- •Age: 18 to 40 years as on 1 July 2026.
- •Age relaxation: SC, ST, OBC and other categories as notified by the UP government; skilled sportspersons 5 years; ex-servicemen 3 years (after deducting service); persons with disabilities 15 years; UP state government employees 5 years.
- •A One Time Registration (OTR) on upsssc.gov.in is required before applying; only one application per candidate is accepted.
UPSSSC PET 2026 exam pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Indian HistoryIndus Valley Civilisation, Vedic culture; Buddhism (Gautam Buddha) and Jainism (Mahavira) — life and teachings; Mauryan dynasty (Ashoka), Gupta dynasty (Samudragupta, Chandragupta II), Harshavardhana; Rajput period, Sultanate period, Mughal Empire, Marathas; Rise of British rule and the First War of Independence; socio-economic impact of British rule | 5 | 5 |
| Indian National MovementEarly years of the freedom movement; Swadeshi and Civil Disobedience movements — role of Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders; Revolutionary movement and the rise of extremism; Legislative reforms and the Government of India Act, 1935; Quit India Movement, Azad Hind Fauj and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose | 5 | 5 |
| GeographyPhysical geography of India and the world — rivers and river valleys, groundwater, mountains, hills and glaciers, deserts and arid regions, forests, minerals (especially India); Political geography of India and the world; Climate and weather, time zones; Demographic change and migration | 5 | 5 |
| Indian EconomyIndian economy 1947–1991: Planning Commission and Five-Year Plans, mixed economy (private and public sector), Green Revolution, dairy development and Operation Flood, bank nationalisation and reforms; Economic reforms of 1991 and after; Reforms after 2014 — agricultural, structural, labour and economic reforms, GST | 5 | 5 |
| Indian Constitution & Public AdministrationSalient features of the Constitution, Directive Principles, Fundamental Rights and Duties; Parliamentary system; federal system, Union and Union Territories, Centre–State relations; Judiciary — Supreme Court and High Courts; District administration; local bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions | 5 | 5 |
| General ScienceElementary physics; Elementary chemistry; Elementary biology | 5 | 5 |
| Elementary ArithmeticWhole numbers, fractions and decimals; Percentage; Simple arithmetic equations; Squares and square roots; Exponents and powers; Average | 5 | 5 |
| General Hindi (सामान्य हिन्दी)संधि, विलोम शब्द, पर्यायवाची शब्द, वाक्यांशों के लिए एक शब्द, लिंग; समश्रुत भिन्नार्थक शब्द, मुहावरे-लोकोक्तियाँ, सामान्य अशुद्धियाँ; लेखक और रचनाएँ (गद्य एवं पद्य) | 5 | 5 |
| General EnglishEnglish grammar; Questions on an unseen passage | 5 | 5 |
| Logic & ReasoningBig and small, order and ranking, relations; Odd one out; Calendar and clock; Cause and effect; Coding–decoding (numbers and letters); Deductive reasoning / statement analysis and decision making | 5 | 5 |
| Current AffairsIndian and international current affairs | 10 | 10 |
| General AwarenessIndia's neighbouring countries; countries, capitals and currencies; Indian states and Union Territories; Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad; National and international days; world organisations and their headquarters; Tourist places, art and culture of India; Sports in India and the world; Indian research organisations; Famous books and authors; awards and winners; Climate change and environment | 10 | 10 |
| Hindi unseen passage (2 passages × 5 questions)अपठित हिन्दी गद्यांश का विवेचन एवं विश्लेषण — 2 गद्यांश, प्रत्येक पर 5 प्रश्न | 10 | 10 |
| Graph interpretation (2 graphs × 5 questions)Interpretation and analysis of 2 graphs, 5 questions on each | 10 | 10 |
| Table interpretation (2 tables × 5 questions)Interpretation and analysis of 2 tables, 5 questions on each | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
- •Questions in sections 1 to 9 are of NCERT secondary / senior secondary level.
- •If the exam is held in more than one shift, scores are normalised (UPSSSC notice no. 42/05/Vigya. Anu.(11)/2019, 22 May 2019).
- •The PET score is valid for 3 years from the date the result is published. When more than one PET score is valid, the highest valid normalised score is used for shortlisting.
- •Clearing PET does not give a post by itself — candidates apply to each Group C main exam that UPSSSC advertises, using their PET score.
Source: UPSSSC — Advertisement No. 16-Exam/2026, Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET)-2026 (1 August 2026) (checked 28 October 2026). Always confirm the latest details on the official website.
Section-wise practice for UPSSSC PET
Indian History
883 questions- Arrival of Europeans & Expansion of British Rule 108
- Early Medieval India & South Indian Kingdoms 97
- Mughal Empire 97
- Buddhism & Jainism 94
- Vedic Period 81
- Mahajanapadas & Mauryan Empire 75
- Indus Valley Civilisation 72
- Delhi Sultanate 69
- Post-Mauryan & Gupta Age 61
- Governors-General & Viceroys 41
More in General Knowledge (13 topics)
Indian National Movement
460 questions- Gandhian Era & Struggle for Independence 137
- Socio-Religious Reform Movements 84
- Revolutionaries & Revolutionary Movements 76
- Indian National Congress & Its Sessions 60
- British Acts & Policies 59
- Swadeshi Movement & Early Nationalism 44
More in General Knowledge
Geography
594 questions- Rivers, Lakes & Dams of India 131
- Minerals & Energy Resources 84
- World Geography 73
- Universe & Solar System 64
- Physical Features of India 61
- Earth: Structure, Rocks & Landforms 47
- Climate, Soils & Vegetation of India 44
- Oceans & Hydrosphere 32
- Population & Census 24
- Atmosphere, Weather & Climate 19
More in General Knowledge (11 topics)
Indian Economy
314 questions- Agriculture in India 145
- Money, Banking & RBI 41
- Planning in India & NITI Aayog 27
- Economic Reforms & Foreign Trade 22
- Financial Markets & Institutions 19
- Basic Concepts of Economics 17
- Budget, Fiscal Policy & Taxation 16
- Poverty, Unemployment & Development 14
- National Income & GDP 8
- Inflation & Price Indices 5
More in General Knowledge
Indian Constitution & Public Administration
833 questions- Indian States & Union Territories 136
- Parliament 98
- Union Executive: President, VP & PM 78
- Judiciary 77
- Constitutional & Statutory Bodies 60
- Making & Sources of the Constitution 58
- Fundamental Rights 52
- Panchayati Raj & Municipalities 49
- DPSP & Fundamental Duties 46
- State Executive & Legislature 45
More in General Knowledge (14 topics)
General Science
220 questions- Human Diseases & Health 30
- Human Body Systems 15
- Acids, Bases & Salts 14
- Electricity & Magnetism 12
- Light & Optics 12
- Plant Physiology & Nutrition in Plants 12
- Units & Measurement 10
- Chemical Reactions & Bonding 9
- Classification of Living Organisms 9
- Common Names & Chemical Formulas 8
More in General Knowledge (25 topics)
Elementary Arithmetic
165 questionsMore in Quantitative Aptitude
General Hindi (सामान्य हिन्दी)
151 questions- हिन्दी व्याकरण (Hindi Grammar) 44
- मुहावरे और लोकोक्तियाँ (Idioms and Proverbs) 20
- पर्यायवाची शब्द (Hindi Synonyms) 19
- विलोम शब्द (Hindi Antonyms) 19
- संधि (Hindi Sandhi) 18
- अनेक शब्दों के लिए एक शब्द (One Word Substitution) 11
- तत्सम और तद्भव शब्द (Tatsam-Tadbhav) 8
- शुद्ध वर्तनी (Correct Spelling) 6
- हिन्दी साहित्य (Hindi Literature) 6
More in General Hindi (सामान्य हिन्दी)
General English
446 questions- Synonyms & Antonyms 100
- Reading Comprehension 76
- Grammar Revision 64
- Idioms and Phrases 28
- Fill in the Blanks 27
- One Word Substitutions 24
- Prepositions 20
- Spelling Errors 17
- Tenses 17
- Word Usage & Collocations 14
More in English Language (16 topics)
Logic & Reasoning
417 questions- Analogy & Classification 82
- Coding-Decoding 67
- Cause and Effect 45
- Blood Relations 32
- Order & Ranking 27
- Calendar & Dates 23
- Clocks 22
- Statement & Conclusions 22
- Syllogism 22
- Statement & Assumptions 16
More in Logical Reasoning (15 topics)
Current Affairs
472 questionsGeneral Awareness
2,785 questions- Sports 358
- Books & Authors 331
- Festivals & Fairs of India 288
- Monuments & Religious Places 265
- Indian Dance Forms 263
- Music & Musical Instruments 195
- World GK: Countries, Capitals & Currencies 169
- Indian States & Union Territories 136
- Art & Culture Personalities 104
- Awards & Honours 101
More in General Knowledge (20 topics)
Hindi unseen passage (2 passages × 5 questions)
149 questionsMore in General Hindi (सामान्य हिन्दी)
Graph interpretation (2 graphs × 5 questions)
304 questionsMore in Quantitative Aptitude
Table interpretation (2 tables × 5 questions)
304 questionsMore in Quantitative Aptitude
Current affairs for UPSSSC PET
All days ›UPSSSC PET previous year papers (2021–2026) with answer key
Every shift as a free timed test, with the answer key and solutions in Hindi and English.
UPSSSC PET — frequently asked questions
What is the exam pattern of UPSSSC PET 2026?
UPSSSC Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) 2026 has 100 multiple-choice questions for 100 marks, with 2 hours. The sections are: Indian History (5 questions), Indian National Movement (5 questions), Geography (5 questions), Indian Economy (5 questions), Indian Constitution & Public Administration (5 questions), General Science (5 questions), Elementary Arithmetic (5 questions), General Hindi (सामान्य हिन्दी) (5 questions), General English (5 questions), Logic & Reasoning (5 questions), Current Affairs (10 questions), General Awareness (10 questions), Hindi unseen passage (2 passages × 5 questions) (10 questions), Graph interpretation (2 graphs × 5 questions) (10 questions), Table interpretation (2 tables × 5 questions) (10 questions).
Is there negative marking in UPSSSC PET?
¼ mark deducted for each wrong answer. Marking: +1 for each correct answer.
What is the duration of UPSSSC PET 2026?
2 hours. The exam is conducted written, objective multiple-choice.
Who conducts UPSSSC PET?
UPSSSC Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) is conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC), Lucknow, to shortlist candidates for the main exams of all UPSSSC Group C posts.
What is the eligibility for UPSSSC PET 2026?
Education: High School (Class 10) or equivalent, passed on or before the last date of application. Age: 18 to 40 years as on 1 July 2026.
What is the application fee for UPSSSC PET 2026?
General (Unreserved) / OBC: ₹185 (₹160 + ₹25 processing); SC / ST: ₹95 (₹70 + ₹25 processing); Persons with disabilities: ₹25 (processing fee only).
How can I prepare for UPSSSC PET for free?
Vision Educare has 7,944+ free practice questions with step-by-step solutions for the UPSSSC PET sections, daily current affairs with quizzes, and free timed tests.