UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification Out – 111 Vacancies
Quick Answer: UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026 Apply Online Started on 21 July.
Applications for Principal positions at aided degree colleges and higher education institutions across Uttar Pradesh are open from 21 July 2026 to 20 August 2026, with the written exam on 24 September 2026. You must complete One Time Registration (OTR) before applying, and the application fee of Rs.3,000 is non-refundable and must be paid by 20 August 2026. UPESSC Principal Selection Exam 2026 Full Details.
Important Dates
| Notification Published | 21 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Online Registration (OTR) Opens | 21 July 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 21 July 2026 |
| Application Fee Payment Deadline | 20 August 2026 |
| Online Application Closes | 20 August 2026 |
| Application Amendment Deadline | 23 August 2026 |
| Written Exam Date | 24 September 2026 |
Application Fee
| All Categories | Rs.3,000 (non-refundable) |
|---|---|
| Payment Mode | Online (Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking) |
Age Limit (As On 01 July 2026)
| Maximum Age | 62 years |
|---|---|
| No age relaxation mentioned | |
Eligibility
| Educational Qualification | PhD in any discipline from a UGC-recognized university |
|---|---|
| Teaching Experience | Minimum 15 years of teaching/research/administration service in universities, colleges or higher education institutions with any co-author/co-researcher status |
| Research Score | Minimum 110 research publications required (as per API criteria) |
| Publications | At least 10 research publications in UGC-listed journals |
| Other Qualifications | Equivalent person recognized by UGC or listed in UGC journals; for Law colleges, Bar Council of India standards apply; for B.Ed colleges, NCTE standards apply |
Vacancy Details
| Institution Type | Total Vacancies | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Co-ed Degree Colleges | 89 | General, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwD |
| Women's Degree Colleges | 22 | General, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwD |
Exam Pattern
| Written Exam | 360 marks (120 objective questions, 3 marks each) |
|---|---|
| Part A: General Knowledge | 40 questions covering current affairs, Indian polity/history/economy/geography, ICT |
| Part B: Administrative Aptitude | 80 questions covering Indian culture/ethics, educational history, higher education system, governance, acts/statutes, financial management, principal's rights/duties |
| Negative Marking | 1 mark deducted for each incorrect answer |
| Interview | 40 marks (for shortlisted candidates) |
| Minimum Research Score | 110 research publications required to qualify for Principal position |
How to Apply
- Visit www.upessc.up.gov.in and complete One Time Registration (OTR) first
- Click on the application link for Principal Selection Exam 2026
- Fill the online application form with all required details in English
- Upload your passport-size photograph (JPG/JPEG format, 10–200 KB, 140×110 pixels) with white background
- Upload your signature (JPG/JPEG format, 30–300 KB, 300–600 pixels resolution)
- Upload all required certificates in PDF format (50–500 KB each)
- Pay the application fee of Rs.3,000 online by 20 August 2026
- Submit the form; you cannot edit category, subcategory, date of birth, gender or other key details after final submission
- Download and print three copies of your submitted application for interview
- Carry original documents and two self-attested photocopies of all certificates to the interview
Important Instructions
| Registration and Application | One Time Registration (OTR) is mandatory before applying; no other mode of application is accepted |
|---|---|
| Photo and Signature | Prescribed size and clear quality required; declaration form must be accepted; rejection of improper uploads will result in application cancellation |
| Date of Birth | Must be mentioned in the application; candidates over 62 years as on 1 July 2026 will not be accepted |
| PwD Candidates | Specific disability subcategories (O.A., O.L., B., B.A., L.V., D., H.H., L.C., D.W., A.A.V.) are recognized for the Principal position |
| Amendment Window | Corrections allowed until 23 August 2026; fee paid is non-refundable and cannot be adjusted |
| Multiple Applications | If more than one application is submitted, only the last one will be considered; all others will be rejected |
| Declaration Accuracy | False declarations will result in application rejection and debarment from current and future exams |
| Eligibility Confirmation | Candidates must ensure they meet all eligibility criteria before applying; the Commission does not provide individual eligibility advice |
| High School Certificate | Date of birth from high school certificate is the only valid proof; no other document accepted |
| Application Language | Registration and application form must be filled in English; Roman script may be used for API form |
| Interview Preference | Female candidates can indicate preference for women's colleges; male candidates cannot; law and B.Ed college candidates have subject-specific restrictions |
| Document Verification | Carry originals and self-attested photocopies of all certificates listed in the notification; Aadhaar and matriculation details must match exactly |
| Scribe Facility | PwD candidates entitled to scribe as per government orders dated 4 December 2019 and 8 September 2022; must register one week before exam |
| Additional Time | PwD candidates receive 20 minutes extra per hour |
| Exam Conduct | OMR sheet must be filled with black ball-point pen only; no correction fluid or other pens allowed; one filled circle cannot be altered |
| Admit Card | Download from the portal using registration number and date of birth; no travel allowance provided |
| Provisional Admission | Candidates admitted provisionally; if found ineligible later, admission will be cancelled and debarment action taken |
Selection Process
| Written Exam | 360 marks (120 objective questions) |
|---|---|
| Interview | 40 marks (for shortlisted candidates based on written exam performance) |
| Document Verification | Originals and self-attested copies required |
| Final Merit | Based on written exam score, interview performance and research publications |
Syllabus
- Part A: General Knowledge (40 questions, 3 marks each) covers current affairs, Indian polity/history/economy/geography, and ICT. Part B: Administrative Aptitude (80 questions, 3 marks each) covers Indian culture/ethics, pre/post-independence educational scenario, higher education system, governance in U.P., acts/statutes, financial management, and rights/duties of Principal. Question difficulty: 50% average, 30% difficult, 20% most difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which organisation is conducting this?
Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC), Prayagraj
What are the important dates?
Notification Published: 21 July 2026. Online Registration (OTR) Opens: 21 July 2026. Online Application Starts: 21 July 2026. Application Fee Payment Deadline: 20 August 2026. Online Application Closes: 20 August 2026. Application Amendment Deadline: 23 August 2026. Written Exam Date: 24 September 2026.
What is the application fee?
All Categories: Rs.3,000 (non-refundable). Payment Mode: Online (Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking).
What is the age limit?
Maximum Age: 62 years. No age relaxation mentioned.
Who is eligible to apply?
Educational Qualification: PhD in any discipline from a UGC-recognized university. Teaching Experience: Minimum 15 years of teaching/research/administration service in universities, colleges or higher education institutions with any co-author/co-researcher status. Research Score: Minimum 110 research publications required (as per API criteria). Publications: At least 10 research publications in UGC-listed journals. Other Qualifications: Equivalent person recognized by UGC or listed in UGC journals; for Law colleges, Bar Council of India standards apply; for B.Ed colleges, NCTE standards apply.
What is the selection process?
Written Exam: 360 marks (120 objective questions). Interview: 40 marks (for shortlisted candidates based on written exam performance). Document Verification: Originals and self-attested copies required. Final Merit: Based on written exam score, interview performance and research publications.