UPSSSC Free Mock Tests & Preparation Material (2026-27)

📋 UPSSSC - Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission

UPSSSC PET 2026 - Gateway to Lekhpal, VDO, Junior Assistant and 20,000+ UP Government Posts

Complete guide for UPSSSC PET (Preliminary Eligibility Test) - the mandatory gateway exam for all Group B and C government posts in Uttar Pradesh. 100 MCQs, 100 marks, 1 mark each, 2 hours, offline OMR, -0.25 negative marking. 15 subjects covering Indian History, Geography, Polity, Science, Maths, Hindi, English, Reasoning and UP-specific GK. PET 2026 notification released 12 May 2026. PET score valid for 3 years - one PET score unlocks Lekhpal, VDO, Junior Assistant, Forest Guard and 20+ Group C post recruitments. UPSSSC Lekhpal 7,994 vacancies recently announced. Free mock tests, 15-subject syllabus, UP GK and expert tips.

15 Subjects, 100 Marks
-0.25 Negative Marking
3-Year Score Validity
20,000+ Posts Unlocked
📋
15
Subjects in PET
100
Questions and Marks
-0.25
Negative Per Wrong
3 Yrs
PET Score Validity
7,994
Lekhpal Vacancies
🔑 PET is NOT a Job - It Unlocks Jobs
UPSSSC PET is a Preliminary Eligibility Test. Clearing PET gives you a score valid for 3 years. This score makes you eligible to apply for post-specific Mains exams (Lekhpal, VDO, Junior Assistant etc.) separately. PET itself does not give you a government job.
⚠️ UP GK (10 Marks) and Current Affairs (10 Marks) Are Highest-Weight Sections
Most subjects carry 5 marks each, but General Awareness of UP (10 marks), Current Affairs (10 marks) and Passage/Graph/Table Analysis (10 marks) carry double weight. These three sections together are 30% of total marks.
🗓️ PET 2026 Notification Released 12 May 2026
UPSSSC PET 2026 notification was released on 12 May 2026. PET 2025 was held 6-7 September 2025 with results on 5 December 2025. Score from PET 2025 is valid through December 2028. PET 2026 score will be valid for 3 years from result date.
🎯 Practice Mock Tests - Subject-wise
UPSSSC PET tests 15 subjects. Highest-mark sections are UP GK (10), Current Affairs (10) and Passage/Table Analysis (10). Practice the core subjects below.
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General Studies
History (5Q), National Movement (5Q), Polity (5Q), Economy (5Q), UP GK (10Q) - 500+ Mock Tests
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General Knowledge and Awareness
UP GK (10 marks), General Awareness (5 marks), Current Affairs (10 marks) - 500+ Mock Tests
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General Intelligence and Reasoning
Reasoning (5Q) + Passage/Graph/Table Analysis (10Q) = 15 marks - 600+ Mock Tests
🔑 What Is UPSSSC PET and How the Two-Tier System Works
UPSSSC PET is not a recruitment exam. It is a screening exam that unlocks access to multiple Group B and C post-specific recruitment exams in Uttar Pradesh.
🗺️ The UPSSSC Two-Tier System
1
Tier 1 - UPSSSC PET: Single screening exam. 100 marks. Score valid 3 years. Clear PET once, apply for multiple post-specific Mains during validity period.
2
Tier 2 - Post-specific Mains: Separate exam for each post (Lekhpal Mains, VDO Mains, Junior Assistant Mains). PET-qualified candidates apply based on PET score cut-off for that post.
3
Final Selection: Based on Mains marks (+ skill test/physical test for some posts). Appointment to Group B or C government post in UP.
⏱️ PET Score Validity - 3 Years
From PET 2025 onwards, score validity was extended from 1 year to 3 years. This is a significant benefit:
  • PET 2025 held 6-7 September 2025; result 5 December 2025
  • PET 2025 score valid until December 2028
  • During 3 years, apply for ANY UPSSSC post-specific Mains when notified
  • No need to reappear in PET for each post separately
  • PET 2026 notification released 12 May 2026
  • Candidates who cleared PET 2025 can still apply for upcoming Lekhpal, VDO Mains without appearing PET 2026
  • If your PET 2025 score was low, appear for PET 2026 to improve your score
📊 Why PET Score Matters for Each Post
When UPSSSC releases a Mains notification for a specific post, it sets a post-specific PET cut-off. Only candidates whose PET score exceeds this cut-off are eligible to apply for that Mains exam.
Example: UPSSSC releases Lekhpal Mains notification with 7,994 vacancies. PET cut-off set at 72 marks for General category. Only PET-qualified candidates scoring 72+ can apply. Candidates scoring 60-71 in PET cannot apply for Lekhpal — but may still qualify for a different post with a lower PET cut-off.
📊 UPSSSC PET Exam Pattern
Single paper, 100 MCQs, 100 marks, 2 hours, offline OMR. 15 subjects covering a wide breadth. -0.25 negative marking per wrong answer. No sectional time limit.
📄 Key Exam Details
Total Questions100 MCQs
Total Marks100 marks
Per Correct Answer+1 mark
Per Wrong Answer-0.25 marks (1/4)
Unattempted0 marks
Duration2 hours (120 minutes)
ModeOffline - OMR pen and paper
Subjects15 subjects
LanguageBilingual (Hindi and English) except language sections
Eligibility10th pass (High School)
Score Validity3 years (from PET 2025)
PurposeEligibility screening — unlocks Group B and C Mains exams
⚠️ Negative Marking (-0.25) Strategy
With 1 mark per correct and -0.25 per wrong, the penalty-to-reward ratio is 1:4:
✅ Confident (70%+ chance correct): Always attempt. Expected value = 0.7×1 - 0.3×0.25 = 0.625 per question.
🔶 Can eliminate 1-2 options: Attempt. With 50% chance: 0.5×1 - 0.5×0.25 = 0.375 (positive).
⬜ Random 4-option guess: Expected value = 0.25×1 - 0.75×0.25 = 0.0625 (barely positive). Technically attempt but risky.
⏭️ No idea, no elimination: Skip. Expected value is negligibly positive but wrong answers hurt your PET rank.
Unlike BSSC (4/-1 ratio), UPSSSC PET's 1/-0.25 scheme is more forgiving. Attempt 90-95 out of 100 comfortably.
📋 15 Subjects - Complete Marks Distribution
Most subjects carry 5 marks each but Current Affairs, UP GK and Passage/Table Analysis carry 10 marks each — these three sections alone are 30% of total marks.
S.No.Subject / SectionQuestionsMarksKey Focus
1Indian History55Ancient, Medieval, Modern India at Class 10 level
2Indian National Movement55Freedom Struggle, key leaders, 1857-1947
3Geography55Indian geography, world geography basics
4Indian Economy55Budget, GDP, agriculture, banking basics
5Indian Constitution and Public Administration55Fundamental Rights, Parliament, local government
6General Science55Physics, Chemistry, Biology at Class 10 level
7Elementary Arithmetic55Percentage, ratio, profit-loss, simple interest
8General Hindi55Grammar, Sandhi, Samas, vocabulary, antonyms
9General English55Grammar, comprehension, fill in the blanks
10General Awareness55Static GK - awards, sports, organisations
11Reasoning55Series, analogy, coding-decoding, blood relations
12Current Affairs (last 6 months)1010Double weight - national and UP current events last 6 months
13General/Special Knowledge of UP1010Double weight - UP history, geography, culture, schemes, awards
14Human Behaviour / Unresolved Problems55Situational judgement, mental aptitude
15Passage / Graph / Table Analysis1010Double weight - comprehension, data interpretation from graphs and tables
Total100100Orange = 10-mark (double-weight) subjects
📚 Detailed Syllabus by Subject
All 15 subjects at Class 10 level for Inter Level posts. Content from NCERT textbooks and UP-specific topics. Focus on the 3 double-weight subjects first.
📰 Current Affairs — 10 marks ⭐
Double-weight section — last 6 months of events
  • National events - government schemes, policies, budget highlights
  • International events - UN, world leaders, treaties, summits
  • Awards - Padma, Bharat Ratna, Nobel Prizes, sports awards
  • Sports - Olympics, Asian Games, World Cups, India results
  • Science and Technology - ISRO missions, AI, medical breakthroughs
  • UP current affairs - CM announcements, UP schemes, UP achievements
  • Deaths of notable personalities
  • Books, authors, cultural events
🗺️ UP General Knowledge — 10 marks ⭐
Double-weight section — UP-specific knowledge is unique
  • UP History - Awadh Nawabs, Mughal connection, 1857 Revolt in UP (Meerut, Lucknow)
  • UP Geography - Ganga-Yamuna doab, Vindhya range, rivers, districts
  • UP Polity - Governor, CM, 403-seat Vidhan Sabha, Allahabad High Court
  • UP Economy - agriculture (wheat, sugarcane, potato), Agra leather, Varanasi silk
  • UP Culture - Lucknow Nawabi culture, Varanasi ghats, festivals, folk art
  • UP Schemes - CM Kisan Samman, UP One District One Product (ODOP)
  • UP Personalities - CM, Governor, notable leaders, achievers
  • UP Smart Cities, UP road network, expressways
📊 Passage / Graph / Table Analysis — 10 marks ⭐
Double-weight section — test of analytical reading
  • Passage Comprehension - read a Hindi or English passage, answer 3-5 questions
  • Bar Graph - read and interpret bar graph data
  • Pie Chart - percentage calculation from pie chart
  • Line Graph - trend analysis, reading values
  • Data Table - read tabular data, compare values, find averages
  • Mixed graph interpretation
  • Practice both Hindi and English comprehension passages
  • Data interpretation is scoring — purely skill-based, not knowledge
📜 Indian History and National Movement — 10 marks
  • Ancient India - Harappan civilisation, Vedic period, Maurya, Gupta empires
  • Medieval India - Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Vijayanagara, Bhakti-Sufi
  • Modern India - British East India Company, 1857 Revolt, reform movements
  • Freedom Struggle - Congress sessions, key leaders (Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Bose)
  • Major events - Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India movements
  • 1947 Independence and Partition
  • UP-specific freedom fighters - Mangal Pandey, Ram Prasad Bismil, Chandrashekhar Azad
🔬 General Science — 5 marks
  • Physics - Force, Newton's laws, work-energy, light, sound, electricity
  • Chemistry - Elements, compounds, acids-bases, everyday chemical reactions
  • Biology - Cell, nutrition, human body, diseases and prevention
  • Environment - pollution types, global warming, ozone layer
  • Technology - ISRO, nuclear energy, everyday gadgets
  • Questions at Class 10 NCERT science level
📐 Elementary Arithmetic — 5 marks
  • Number System - LCM, HCF, fractions, decimals
  • Percentage and its applications
  • Profit, Loss and Discount
  • Simple Interest and Compound Interest
  • Ratio and Proportion
  • Time and Work
  • Time, Speed and Distance
  • Average, Ages
  • Basic Geometry - area, perimeter, volume
🏛️ Posts Unlocked by UPSSSC PET Score
One PET score (valid 3 years) makes you eligible for multiple Group B and C post-specific Mains exams. These are the most in-demand posts.
PostDepartmentRecent VacanciesMains PatternSalary
UP Lekhpal (Revenue Accountant)Revenue Department7,994100 MCQs, 100 marks - Hindi (25) + UP GK (25) + Maths (25) + Revenue topics (25)Pay Level 4 Rs.25,500+
VDO (Village Dev Officer / Gram Vikas Adhikari)Panchayati Raj5,000+100 MCQs - Hindi, GK, Maths, Rural DevelopmentPay Level 4-5
Junior Assistant / Lower Grade ClerkVarious departments4,000+100 MCQs - GK, Hindi, Maths + typing testPay Level 3-4
Forest Guard / Van RakshakForest Department2,000+Written + Physical TestPay Level 3
X-Ray TechnicianHealth Department2,000+Written + Practical/Skill TestPay Level 4-5
Tube Well Operator, Mandi Parishad, etc.VariousAs notifiedPost-specific patternPay Level 3-5
📋 Lekhpal Mains Pattern - Most Popular Post-PET Exam
7,994 vacancies — one of the most sought-after Group C posts in UP. Lekhpal Mains (after PET qualification) covers Hindi, UP GK, Maths and Revenue-specific topics.
📄 Lekhpal Mains Exam Pattern
100 MCQs - 100 marks - 1 mark each - -0.25 negative marking
SectionQuestionsMarks
General Hindi2525
General Knowledge of Uttar Pradesh2525
Mathematics / Numerical Ability2525
Revenue Law / Related General Knowledge2525
Total100100
Revenue Law section is unique to Lekhpal - covers UP Land Revenue Act, tenancy laws, land record maintenance, Khasra, Khatauni, mutation (Dakhil Kharij). This section sets Lekhpal apart from generic clerical posts.
📋 Lekhpal Revenue Law Topics
Revenue Law section (25 marks) is unique to Lekhpal and requires specific preparation:
  • UP Land Revenue Act (UP Bhumi Rajaswa Adhiniyam)
  • Khasra - field register with survey numbers and cultivation details
  • Khatauni - account of rights showing who holds what land
  • Mutation (Dakhil Kharij) - transfer of land records
  • Land types - Abadi (settlement), Sair, Banjar, Cultivated
  • Lease, Tenancy Laws - rights of tenants
  • Land Survey - Patwari duties, revenue village map
  • UP Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act
  • Lekhpal's role and responsibilities
  • Computer and IT in revenue administration
🏛️ Uttar Pradesh GK - The 10-Mark Section You Must Master
UP GK carries 10 marks in PET (double weight) and 25 marks in Lekhpal Mains. This is uniquely tested content not available in standard national GK books.
🏰 UP History and Culture
  • Awadh Nawabs - Lucknow; Asaf ud-Daula, Wajid Ali Shah
  • Mughal connection - Agra as Mughal capital; Taj Mahal, Agra Fort
  • 1857 Revolt - Meerut (started), Lucknow Siege, Jhansi
  • UP Freedom Fighters - Mangal Pandey (Barrackpore/Meerut connection), Ram Prasad Bismil (Shahjahanpur), Chandrashekhar Azad (Allahabad), Bhagat Singh connections
  • Varanasi/Kashi - religious capital; ghats, Kashi Vishwanath temple
  • Mathura and Vrindavan - Krishna pilgrimage belt
  • Ayodhya - Ram Janmabhoomi; Ram Mandir inauguration 2024
  • Folk arts - Chikankari (Lucknow), Zardozi embroidery, Kathak dance
🗺️ UP Geography and Economy
  • UP - most populous state of India; capital Lucknow; High Court Allahabad (Prayagraj)
  • Rivers - Ganga, Yamuna, Ghaghra, Gomti, Sarayu, Chambal
  • Ganga-Yamuna Doab - fertile agricultural belt between two rivers
  • 403 Vidhan Sabha seats; 80 Lok Sabha constituencies (most in India)
  • Agriculture - wheat (major producer), sugarcane, potato, mango (Dasheri, Langra), mentha
  • Industry - leather (Agra, Kanpur), brassware (Moradabad), carpet (Bhadohi, Mirzapur)
  • ODOP - One District One Product scheme - each of 75 districts has a product focus
  • Expressways - Yamuna, Agra-Lucknow, Purvanchal, Bundelkhand expressways
  • UP Smart Cities - Lucknow, Agra, Kanpur, Varanasi, Allahabad, Aligarh, Saharanpur
🏛️ UP Polity and Schemes
  • Current Chief Minister and Governor of UP
  • Yogi government schemes - Mission Shakti, Mukhyamantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Kanya Sumangala Yojana
  • UP Police - DGP, UP Police reforms
  • Prayagraj Kumbh Mela 2025 - world's largest gathering
  • UP in sports - Khelo India games, UP athletes
  • UP in education - IIT Kanpur, IIT BHU, SGPGI Lucknow
  • Recent UP infrastructure - Jewar Airport (Noida International Airport), Ayodhya Airport
  • UP judicial system - Allahabad High Court (largest in Asia by benches)
✅ Eligibility Criteria - UPSSSC PET 2026
PET eligibility is intentionally broad — just 10th pass and 18 years old. Post-specific Mains may have additional eligibility requirements.
CriteriaPET EligibilityPost-specific Notes
NationalityIndian CitizensUP domicile required for most UPSSSC posts
Education10th pass (High School) from recognised boardSome posts may require 12th, graduation or specific qualification (VDO needs graduation, Lekhpal needs Class 12)
Age - General / UR18 to 40 yearsAge counted as of the notification date specified in PET advertisement
Age - OBC (UP)18 to 43 years (3-year relaxation)Age relaxation per UP government reservation rules
Age - SC/ST (UP)18 to 45 years (5-year relaxation)For UP domicile SC/ST candidates
AttemptsNo attempt limit — appear every year till age limitScore from best attempt (within 3-year validity) is used
📈 Previous Year PET Cut-offs
UPSSSC does not publish a universal PET passing mark — cut-offs vary by post and category. These are approximate cut-offs for Lekhpal/VDO-level posts.
PET CycleGEN/UR (out of 100)OBCSCST
PET 202165-7260-6852-6048-56
PET 202268-7562-7055-6350-58
PET 2025 (Sep 2025)70-8065-7457-6652-61
PET 2026 (Expected)72-8266-7658-6853-63
ℹ️ PET cut-offs are post-specific and released with each Mains notification. These are indicative cut-offs for popular posts (Lekhpal, VDO). Forest Guard and lower posts may have lower cut-offs. Higher competition posts have higher cut-offs. Target 80+ marks for comfortable shortlisting across multiple popular posts.
💡 Expert Preparation Tips
From our faculty who have guided thousands of UPSSSC PET and Lekhpal Mains selected candidates
1
Focus 40% of PET prep on the three double-weight sections (30 marks total) — Current Affairs, UP GK and Passage/Table Analysis - Out of 100 total PET marks, Current Affairs (10), UP GK (10) and Passage/Graph/Table Analysis (10) together constitute 30 marks — 30% of the entire exam. Every other subject carries only 5 marks each. A candidate who masters these three double-weight sections alone can score 27-30 marks from just these sections, while competitors who ignore them cap themselves at a 70-mark ceiling. Specific allocation: UP GK needs dedicated Bihar/UP-specific book preparation (1-2 months); Current Affairs needs daily newspaper reading for 6 months before exam; Passage and Table analysis is a pure skill that improves dramatically with daily practice of comprehension passages and data interpretation sets (30 minutes daily for 2 months).
2
High PET score (80+) opens more post options — don't aim for just "clearing" PET - UPSSSC sets post-specific PET cut-offs when releasing each Mains notification. Popular high-vacancy posts like Lekhpal and VDO typically have cut-offs of 70-80 for General category. A candidate with 65 PET marks may not qualify for Lekhpal or VDO but might qualify for Forest Guard or Tube Well Operator (lower cut-offs). A candidate with 82 PET marks qualifies for all posts. Since PET score is valid for 3 years, a higher score gives you access to any UPSSSC Mains notification released during that period without restriction. Think of your PET score as an all-access pass — the higher your score, the more premium posts you can access. Aim for 80+ rather than just clearing the basic threshold.
3
UP GK is entirely unique and untested in standard national GK books — prepare it as a primary subject - UPSSSC's 10-mark UP GK section tests content specific to Uttar Pradesh that does not appear in SSC, UPSC or banking exam preparation: UP geography (Ganga-Yamuna Doab, UP districts, rivers like Gomti and Ghaghra), UP history (Awadh Nawabs, 1857 Revolt centres in Meerut and Lucknow), UP economy (ODOP scheme, UP expressways, carpet-brassware-leather industries), UP polity (403 Vidhan Sabha seats, Allahabad High Court, current CM/Governor), UP schemes (Kanya Sumangala, Mission Shakti, CM Kisan Samman), UP culture (Chikankari, Kathak dance, Kumbh Mela). Standard UPSC or SSC GK books cover India nationally but miss UP-specific details. Use a dedicated UP GK book (such as Lucent UP GK or Arihant UP GK series) and supplement with Dainik Jagran's UP edition for current events.
4
Passage and Table Analysis (10 marks) is the highest-scoring opportunity with no specific knowledge required - The Passage/Graph/Table Analysis section (10 marks) is unlike every other PET section — it requires no factual knowledge of history, geography or current affairs. It purely tests your ability to read data from tables, extract information from bar/pie charts and answer questions about a passage. This is a skill that improves dramatically with deliberate daily practice. Spend 30-45 minutes daily doing 2-3 table/chart interpretation sets and 1-2 comprehension passages. After 6-8 weeks of this, most candidates score 8-9 out of 10 consistently in this section. This is your most reliable section to maximize — knowledge sections have unpredictable questions, but analysis sections are completely predictable in format even if the data changes.
5
Lekhpal Revenue Law section (25 marks) requires specific UP land law preparation — start 2 months before Mains - If your PET score is sufficient for Lekhpal Mains, the Revenue Law section (25 out of 100 Mains marks = 25%) is the most distinctive preparation requirement. This covers UP Land Revenue Act, Khasra and Khatauni registers, mutation/Dakhil Kharij process, land types (Abadi, Sair, Banjar), UP Zamindari Abolition Act and Lekhpal's specific administrative duties. This content is not tested in any other UP government exam and requires separate preparation. Use official UPSSSC Lekhpal syllabus PDF (available at upsssc.gov.in) and UP revenue administration books. Candidates who prepare Revenue Law thoroughly have a decisive advantage since many aspirants either skip or under-prepare this unique section.
6
The 3-year PET validity changes strategic preparation — clear PET 2026 even if PET 2025 score is good - From PET 2025, score validity was extended to 3 years. PET 2025 (result December 2025) is valid until December 2028. However, if your PET 2025 score was below 75 (General), reappearing in PET 2026 makes strategic sense — you can use whichever score is higher for each Mains application (UPSSSC typically allows candidates to use their best PET score within the 3-year window). The PET is not a "one-attempt-forever" exam — there's no attempt limit and the annual cycle means most candidates have multiple opportunities to improve their score. Treat PET as a yearly skills benchmark: prepare for it each year as if it's the first attempt, focusing on the three double-weight sections. A 5-10 mark improvement in PET score can unlock higher-competition posts.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions - UPSSSC PET 2026
Most searched questions about UPSSSC PET eligibility, score validity, posts and the two-tier system answered
UPSSSC PET (Preliminary Eligibility Test) is a mandatory screening examination conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission. Clearing PET does NOT give you a government job directly. PET gives you an eligibility score that is valid for 3 years (extended from 1 year starting PET 2025). This score makes you eligible to apply for post-specific Mains examinations when UPSSSC announces them. The actual government job comes from clearing the Mains examination for a specific post (Lekhpal, VDO, Junior Assistant, Forest Guard, etc.) and subsequent stages (skill test, physical test for some posts). Think of PET as an entrance ticket to the queue for government jobs - clearing PET means you are in the queue; the Mains examination determines your position in the final merit list for appointment.
This is a genuinely disputed point with conflicting sources. The majority of established coaching institute and government exam preparation websites (Testbook, Adda247, Career Power, TaiyarHo) consistently state that UPSSSC PET has -0.25 negative marking (1/4 mark per wrong answer). However, at least one source for the PET 2026 notification specifically states "no negative marking." This discrepancy may reflect a change in the 2026 cycle or inaccurate reporting from one source. The safest approach: (1) Download the official UPSSSC PET 2026 notification PDF from upsssc.gov.in and check the marking scheme yourself before the exam. (2) In your preparation and mock tests, practice as if -0.25 negative marking applies — this gives you a more cautious accuracy-first strategy that works whether or not negative marking is present. If the exam turns out to have no negative marking, you can attempt all remaining questions in the last 10 minutes without risk.
Yes — if you cleared PET 2025 (held September 2025, result December 2025), your PET score is valid for 3 years from the result date, i.e., until approximately December 2028. You can use your PET 2025 score to apply for any UPSSSC Mains examination notified before December 2028, including Lekhpal Mains, VDO Mains, Junior Assistant Mains or any other Group B/C post notified during this period. You do NOT need to reappear in PET 2026 to apply for Lekhpal Mains. However, if your PET 2025 score was lower than the cut-off required for the specific post you want (e.g., Lekhpal cut-off is 75 and your PET 2025 score is 70), you might want to appear in PET 2026 to improve your score. UPSSSC typically considers your most recent or highest valid PET score for eligibility purposes — verify from the specific Mains notification.
Yes — 10th pass (High School or equivalent) from any recognised board is the minimum educational qualification for UPSSSC PET. This makes PET accessible to a very wide candidate base including 10th pass, 12th pass, graduates and postgraduates. All of them can appear for PET on equal terms. However, post-specific Mains examinations may have higher qualification requirements. For example, UP Lekhpal requires candidates to have passed 12th standard (Intermediate) to apply for Lekhpal Mains — so even if a 10th-pass candidate clears PET, they cannot apply for Lekhpal Mains without completing 12th. VDO (Village Development Officer) typically requires graduation. Junior Assistant may need 12th with specific subjects. The eligibility for each post-specific Mains is stated in that particular Mains notification. Always verify the Mains eligibility separately from the PET eligibility.
UPSSSC PET has been conducted in most years since its introduction in 2021: PET 2021 (August), PET 2022 (October), PET 2023 (September), PET 2025 (September — no PET was held in 2024). PET 2026 notification was released 12 May 2026. The pattern shows roughly annual frequency with occasional gaps. There is no formal limit on how many times a candidate can appear for PET — you can appear every year until you reach the upper age limit. Since the score validity was extended to 3 years from PET 2025 onwards, candidates now have longer windows to use each PET score. However, there is no rule preventing you from appearing in a new PET cycle even with a valid previous score, if you want to improve your marks. Monitor upsssc.gov.in regularly for PET notification dates and register as soon as the notification is released since seats can be limited by category and district.
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Written and Reviewed by Our UPSSSC PET and Lekhpal Expert Faculty
UPSSSC PET Specialist | Lekhpal Mains and UP GK Expert | 10+ Years UP Subordinate Services Coaching
This page has been prepared by our senior UPSSSC faculty with experience coaching thousands of PET-cleared and Lekhpal/VDO-selected candidates. All exam pattern details including the 15-subject marks distribution, the 3-year validity extension from PET 2025, UP-specific GK content, Lekhpal Revenue Law guidance and negative marking strategy are based on official UPSSSC notifications. UPSSSC PET 2026 notification released 12 May 2026. Monitor upsssc.gov.in for exam dates and Mains notifications. UPSSSC Lekhpal notification: 7,994 vacancies recently announced.
✅ UPSSSC PET Specialist ✅ Lekhpal and VDO Expert ✅ 20,000+ UP Group C Selected

UPSSSC PET 2026 - Complete Guide: 15 Subjects, UP GK, Lekhpal Mains Pattern, 3-Year Score Validity and Free Mock Tests

The UPSSSC PET (Preliminary Eligibility Test) is conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission as a mandatory screening exam for all Group B and C government posts in Uttar Pradesh. UPSSSC PET 2026 notification released 12 May 2026. Exam structure: 100 MCQs, 100 marks, 1 mark each, 2 hours, offline OMR, -0.25 negative marking per wrong answer. 15 subjects with most carrying 5 marks each, but three subjects carry double weight (10 marks each): Current Affairs (last 6 months), General/Special Knowledge of Uttar Pradesh, and Passage/Graph/Table Analysis. These three sections together constitute 30% of total marks. PET score valid for 3 years (extended from 1 year starting PET 2025). PET 2025 held 6-7 September 2025, result 5 December 2025.

PET is NOT a recruitment exam — it is a Preliminary Eligibility Test. A good PET score makes you eligible to apply for post-specific Mains examinations: UP Lekhpal (7,994 vacancies recently announced, 100 marks Mains with unique Revenue Law section), VDO/Gram Vikas Adhikari, Junior Assistant, Forest Guard, X-Ray Technician and 20+ other Group C posts. Eligibility: 10th pass, age 18-40 years General. Previous PET cut-offs for popular posts: 70-80 for General, 65-74 for OBC, 57-66 for SC. The 15 subjects are: Indian History (5Q), Indian National Movement (5Q), Geography (5Q), Indian Economy (5Q), Indian Constitution and Public Administration (5Q), General Science (5Q), Elementary Arithmetic (5Q), General Hindi (5Q), General English (5Q), General Awareness (5Q), Reasoning (5Q), Current Affairs (10Q), UP GK (10Q), Human Behaviour (5Q), Passage/Graph/Table Analysis (10Q).

Our free UPSSSC PET mock tests cover all 15 subjects — General Studies (History, National Movement, Geography, Polity, Economy), General Knowledge and Awareness (UP GK and national current affairs), General Intelligence and Reasoning (Reasoning + Table/Graph Analysis), Numerical and Mathematical Ability (Elementary Arithmetic) and English Language (General English) — available topic-wise at zero cost at StudiesToday.com.