UPSSSC pushes PET 2026 exam to Oct 25, Oct 30 and Nov 1 as registrations climb to 35.42 lakh

Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC) has shifted the Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) 2026 to October 25, October 30 and November 1, 2026, after moving it from the originally planned October 23‑25. About 35.42 lakh candidates have registered for this cycle, a jump from roughly 25.3 lakh in the previous PET. The exam will be held in two shifts each day: the first from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and the second from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., with a two‑hour duration per paper. Candidates must refer to their individual admit cards for the exact date, shift and centre, and follow the reporting instructions printed there; the commission has not yet announced a release date for the new admit cards but will inform applicants separately. PET serves as a qualifying test for Group B and Group C posts under the Uttar Pradesh government, allowing successful candidates to sit for recruitment exams for positions such as Lekhpal and Junior Assistant. The PET 2026 notification was issued under Advertisement No. 16‑Exam/2026. Registration opened on August 3, but technical glitches and OTP issues forced UPSSSC to extend the deadline to September 7, requiring candidates to complete a One‑Time Registration before applying. The surge in registrations led the commission to spread the exam over three dates and multiple shifts to manage the large applicant pool.