The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UPSSSC) organizes the Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET), an essential screening examination for various Group B and Group C positions within Uttar Pradesh. All candidates aiming to apply for UPSSSC recruitment must first pass the PET, making familiarity with the UPSSSC PET syllabus and exam format for 2026 crucial for effective preparation. This article provides a comprehensive review of the subject-wise syllabus, the distribution of marks, rules for negative marking, the selection procedure, and strategies for preparation according to the official test outline.
UPSSSC PET Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 - Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Body | Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UPSSSC) |
| Exam Name | UPSSSC PET (Preliminary Eligibility Test) 2026 |
| Purpose of Exam | Screening/eligibility test for recruitment to Group “B” and “C” posts |
| Mode of Examination | Offline |
| Total Stages | Single stage (PET) followed by post-specific Mains exam |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Time Duration | 2 hours |
| Negative Marking | ¼ (0.25) mark deducted for each incorrect answer |
| Official Website | upsssc.gov.in |
UPSSSC PET Selection Process 2026
The UPSSSC PET serves as the initial filter for determining eligibility for various Group B and C posts. The selection procedure typically occurs in the following manner:
- Stage 1 - PET (Preliminary Eligibility Test): Candidates must take the PET, which acts as a common eligibility assessment for various positions under UPSSSC.
- Stage 2 - Post-specific Mains/Recruitment Exam: A valid PET score allows candidates to apply for targeted UPSSSC recruitment notifications (including Lekhpal, Junior Assistant, Excise Constable, etc.). Every recruitment will have its dedicated Mains exam or additional selection stage.
- Document Verification/Physical Tests (as per the post): Depending on the role applied for, candidates might need to undergo document verification, physical tests, or skill assessments as outlined in that particular role’s notification.
UPSSSC PET Exam Pattern 2026
Key aspects of the PET exam pattern include:
- The test consists solely of objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
- A total of 100 questions will be provided, making up an overall score of 100 marks.
- The exam duration is set for 2 hours.
- Any incorrect answer will incur a penalty of ¼ (0.25) mark.
- The difficulty level of the questions corresponds with the NCERT Secondary/Senior Secondary syllabus.
Subject-Wise Marks Distribution
| S. No. | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian History | 5 | 5 |
| 2 | Indian National Movement | 5 | 5 |
| 3 | Geography | 5 | 5 |
| 4 | Indian Economy | 5 | 5 |
| 5 | Indian Constitution & Public Administration | 5 | 5 |
| 6 | General Science | 5 | 5 |
| 7 | Elementary Arithmetic | 5 | 5 |
| 8 | General Hindi | 5 | 5 |
| 9 | General English | 5 | 5 |
| 10 | Logic & Reasoning | 5 | 5 |
| 11 | Current Affairs | 10 | 10 |
| 12 | General Awareness | 10 | 10 |
| 13 | Analysis of Hindi Unread Passage (2 passages) | 10 | 10 |
| 14 | Graph Interpretation (2 graphs) | 10 | 10 |
| 15 | Table Interpretation & Analysis (2 tables) | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
UPSSSC PET Syllabus 2026
The UPSSSC PET syllabus comprises 15 subjects, covering areas such as general knowledge, history, geography, economy, polity, science, language, reasoning, and data analysis. Below is a detailed breakdown of the subject-wise components:
1. Indian History
- Indus Valley Civilization
- Vedic Civilization
- Buddhism
- Jainism
- Mauryan Empire
- Gupta Empire
- Harshavardhan
- Rajput Era
- Sultanate Era
- Mughal Empire
- Maratha Empire
- British Rule and the First War of Independence
- Social and economic effects of British authority
2. Indian National Movement
- Initial phase of the struggle for freedom
- Swadeshi and Civil Disobedience Movements, highlighting the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and others
- Revolutionary movement and the rise of radical nationalism
- Legislative modifications and the Government of India Act of 1935
- Quit India Movement, Azad Hind Fauj, and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
3. Geography
- Geographical elements of India and the global landscape - rivers and water resources
- Mountain ranges and glacial regions
- Desert areas and arid regions
- Forests and mineral deposits
- Political geography concerning India and the world
- Climate trends and time zones
- Population changes and migration patterns
4. Indian Economy
(A) Indian Economy from 1947 to 1991- The establishment of the Planning Commission and implementation of Five-Year Plans
- Creation of a mixed economy: roles of private and public sectors
- The Green Revolution
- White Revolution and Operation Flood
- Nationalization of the banking industry
- (C) Post-2014 Economic Reforms
- Agricultural reforms
- Structural adjustments
- Labour market reforms
- Economic transformations
- Implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST)
5. Indian Constitution & Public Administration
- Overview of the Indian Constitution and its main features
- Directive Principles of State Policy
- Fundamental rights and duties
- Parliamentary democracy
- Federal framework, including Union and state governments, and Union Territories
- Judicial system
- Governance at the district level
- Local government bodies and Panchayati Raj
6. General Science
- Basics of Physics
- Basics of Chemistry
- Basics of Biology
7. Elementary Arithmetic
- Whole numbers, fractions, and decimals
- Calculating percentages
- Basic arithmetic equations
- Squares and square roots
- Exponents and powers
- Averages calculation
8. General Hindi
- Sandhi (compound words)
- Vilom Shabd (antonyms)
- Paryayvachi Shabd (synonyms)
- Substituting one word for phrases
- Gender distinctions (Ling)
- Words that sound alike but have different meanings
- Muhavare-Lokoktiyan (idioms and proverbs)
- Common grammatical mistakes
- Writers and their literature (prose and poetry)
9. General English
- Grammar rules in English
- Questions based on passages
10. Logic & Reasoning
- Ordering and ranking
- Blood relationships
- Concepts of calendar and clock
- Cause and effect relationships
- Coding-decoding methods
- Inductive/deductive reasoning, etc.
11. Current Affairs
- Current affairs on a national level
- Current affairs on an international level
12. General Awareness
- Neighboring nations of India
- Countries, their capitals, and currencies
- Indian states as well as Union Territories
- The Parliament of India
- Important days of both national and international significance
- International organizations and their headquarters
- Famous tourist attractions in India
- Cultural and artistic heritage of India
- Sports in India and globally
- Research institutions in India
- Notable literary works and authors
- Awards and recognitions
- Environmental challenges and climate change
13. Analysis of Hindi Unread Passage
- Two unread Hindi passages that include questions assessing understanding and analytical skills.
14. Graph Interpretation
- Two graphical representations, featuring questions aimed at interpreting graphical data.
15. Table Interpretation & Analysis
- Two tables, including questions focused on analyzing tabular information.
How to Prepare for UPSSSC PET Exam 2026
To effectively prepare for the UPSSSC PET exam, consider the following strategies:
- Focus on sections with higher weightage: Current Affairs, General Awareness, Passage Analysis, Graph Interpretation, and Table Interpretation combined contribute to 50 out of 100 marks; prioritize these in your study plan.
- Create a schedule based on subjects: With the syllabus encompassing 15 areas, dedicate specific study time each day for history, geography, economy, polity, science, and language, rather than studying randomly.
- Practice data interpretation on a daily basis: Questions about graph and table interpretation evaluate both computational speed and conceptual understanding, so ensure you work on a mix of these each day.
- Refer to NCERT textbooks: Since exam questions stem from the NCERT Secondary/Senior Secondary level, these materials provide a solid foundation for your preparation in history, geography, economy, polity, and science.
- Engage in mock tests and analyze previous year papers: Regularly completing full-length mock exams under timed conditions aids in enhancing speed, accuracy, and time management across the 100 questions in a 2-hour timeframe.
- Be cautious with your attempts: Given the penalty of ¼ mark for incorrect answers, it's advisable to refrain from guessing on uncertain questions.
UPSSSC PET Syllabus 2026 - Important Links
Visit the official UPSSSC website for additional resources: upsssc.gov.in
UPSSSC PET Syllabus 2026 - FAQs
What is the UPSSSC PET syllabus 2026?
The syllabus for the UPSSSC PET 2026 encompasses 15 sections, including subjects such as Indian History, Indian National Movement, Geography, Indian Economy, Indian Constitution & Public Administration, General Science, Elementary Arithmetic, General Hindi, General English, Logic & Reasoning, Current Affairs, General Awareness, Hindi Passage Analysis, Graph Interpretation, and Table Interpretation.
What is the exam pattern for UPSSSC PET 2026?
The UPSSSC PET 2026 comprises 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions totaling 100 marks, to be answered within 2 hours, with a penalty of ¼ mark for each incorrect answer.
How many questions are asked in the UPSSSC PET exam?
In total, 100 questions are featured in the UPSSSC PET examination, distributed among 15 subjects/sections.
Is there negative marking in the UPSSSC PET exam?
Yes, there is a negative marking scheme whereby ¼ (0.25) mark is deducted for every incorrect response in the UPSSSC PET examination.
Where can I download the UPSSSC PET syllabus PDF?
The official UPSSSC PET syllabus document is available for download from the UPSSSC website (upsssc.gov.in), or through the link provided in the Important Links section above.