The Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC) has released the admit card for the Principal Selection Examination 2026. The exam will be held on 24 September 2026 for 111 Principal posts in aided degree colleges of Uttar Pradesh. This article gives you the full picture – admit card, exam date, fee, age limit, eligibility, salary, vacancy and selection process – all under Advertisement No. 02/2026.
Principal (प्राचार्य) – Advertisement No. 02/2026
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Post Name: UPESSC Principal
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Advertisement Number: 02/2026
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Total Number of Posts: 111
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Important Dates
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Event
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Date
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Notification Released
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21 July 2026
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Online Application Start (OTR)
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21 July 2026
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Last Date to Pay Application Fee
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20 August 2026
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Last Date for Correction in Form
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23 August 2026
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Admit Card
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Available to download
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Written Exam Date
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24 September 2026
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Exam Timing
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09:30 AM to 11:30 AM (Single Shift)
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Exam Centre
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State Headquarters, Lucknow
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Application Fee and Payment Mode
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Category
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Fee
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General / OBC / EWS
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Rs. 3,000
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SC / ST
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Rs. 3,000
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Divyangjan (PH)
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Rs. 3,000
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Payment Mode
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Online only – Credit Card, Debit Card or Net Banking
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Refund
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Fee once paid is not refunded under any circumstances
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Age Limit
| Particular | Detail |
| Maximum Age | 62 years |
| Cut-off Date for Age | 01 July 2026 |
| Age Relaxation | Not given – reservation for these 111 posts is shown as Nil |
Total Number of Posts
| College Type | Number of Posts |
| Co-education Colleges | 89 |
| Women’s Colleges | 22 |
| Total | 111 |
Eligibility
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Requirement
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Detail
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Education
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Ph.D. degree
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Work Experience
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At least 15 years of teaching/research experience as Professor or Associate Professor
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Publications
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At least 10 research papers in peer-reviewed or UGC-listed journals
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Research Score
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Minimum API Research Score of 110, as per the format in Annexure-2
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Salary Details
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Particular
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Detail
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Pay Level
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Level-14 (7th CPC)
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Pay Scale
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Rs. 1,44,200 – Rs. 2,18,200 per month
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Tenure
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5 years, extendable by one more 5-year term after a performance review
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After Tenure
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Candidate reverts back to the post of Professor
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Vacancy Details
The 111 Principal posts are spread across aided degree colleges of Uttar Pradesh. The full college-wise vacancy list is given as Sarani-01 in the official notification PDF.
| Category of College | Vacancies |
| Co-education Degree Colleges | 89 |
| Women’s Degree Colleges | 22 |
Selection Process
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Stage
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Detail
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Written Exam
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120 objective (MCQ) questions, 360 marks total
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Part A – General Knowledge
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40 questions, 120 marks
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Part B – Administrative Aptitude Test
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80 questions, 240 marks
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Marking Scheme
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+3 marks for each correct answer
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Negative Marking
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-1 mark for each wrong answer or for marking more than one option
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Minimum Research Score Needed
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API score of 110 (checked separately from the written exam)
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Interview
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40 marks
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Final Merit
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Based on combined written exam and interview marks
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How the Application Was Filled
Online applications for this post are now closed. Candidates who applied followed these steps:
- Visited the official UPESSC website and completed One-Time Registration (OTR) with a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Filled the online application form with personal, educational and professional details.
- Uploaded a scanned photo (30-300 KB, 300×600 pixels), signature (10-200 KB, 140×110 pixels) and other required documents (PDF, 50-500 KB each).
- Paid the application fee of Rs. 3,000 through Credit Card, Debit Card or Net Banking.
- Checked the preview of the filled form carefully before final submission.
- Submitted the form and downloaded the confirmation page and fee receipt for future use.
How to Download the UPESSC Principal Admit Card 2026
- Go to the official UPESSC website.
- Open the Principal Selection Examination 2026 section.
- Click on the admit card download link.
- Enter your registration number and other login details asked on the page.
- Submit the details and your admit card will show on the screen.
- Take a printout and keep it safe for the exam day.
Important Instructions for the Exam Day
- Carrying a valid admit card is compulsory to enter the exam centre.
- Check your exam centre details through the advance exam information facility on the official website before exam day.
- Reach the exam centre well before the reporting time.
- Follow all instructions printed on the admit card.
- Keep a printed copy of the admit card safe for future reference, even after the exam.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
| Download Admit Card | Click Here |
| Official Notification (Advt No. 02/2026) | Click Here |
| Official Website | upessc.up.gov.in |
FAQs
1. When will the UPESSC Principal Exam 2026 be held?
The UPESSC Principal Selection Examination 2026 will be held on 24 September 2026.
2. What is the exam timing for UPESSC Principal Exam 2026?
The exam will be held from 09:30 AM to 11:30 AM in a single shift at the State Headquarters, Lucknow.
3. Where can I download the UPESSC Principal Admit Card 2026?
You can download the admit card from the official UPESSC website.
4. Is the admit card compulsory for the exam?
Yes, you must carry a valid admit card to enter the exam centre.
5. How many Principal posts are there in this recruitment?
There are 111 Principal posts in total – 89 in co-education colleges and 22 in women’s colleges.
6. What is the application fee for UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026?
The application fee is Rs. 3,000 for all categories, paid online through credit card, debit card or net banking.
7. What is the age limit for the Principal post?
The maximum age is 62 years as on 1 July 2026, with no age relaxation for these posts.
8. What pay scale will a selected Principal get?
Selected candidates get Pay Level-14, in the range of Rs. 1,44,200 to Rs. 2,18,200 per month.
9. How is the final selection made?
Selection is based on a 360-mark written exam and a 40-mark interview, combined into a final merit list. A minimum API research score of 110 is also required.
