UPSSSC PET Exam 2025: Complete Guide, Syllabus, Eligibility, Pattern, Preparation & Latest Updates
The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC) introduced the Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) to streamline the recruitment process for Group ‘C’ posts in Uttar Pradesh. Since its launch, the UPSSSC PET Exam has become a crucial gateway for lakhs of aspirants seeking government jobs in the state. From Junior Assistant to Lekhpal, Forest Guard to Female Health Worker, the PET score determines whether a candidate can appear in further exams conducted by the commission.

In this comprehensive 2000-word guide, we will cover everything you need to know about the UPSSSC PET exam—notification, eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, marking scheme, preparation tips, career opportunities, validity of scorecard, selection stages, and more. If you are aiming for a government job in Uttar Pradesh, this article is your ultimate PET preparation companion.
What is UPSSSC PET Exam?
The UPSSSC Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) is a qualifying examination conducted annually by the UPSSSC. It serves as the first stage for various Group C recruitments. Instead of applying separately for multiple posts and taking multiple preliminary tests, candidates now need to appear in just one PET exam. Based on PET scores, candidates become eligible for:
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Main Exams
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Skill Tests
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Physical Tests
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Direct recruitment
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Document verification
This reform simplified the recruitment process and made it faster, more transparent, and applicant-friendly.
Why UPSSSC PET Exam is Important?
The significance of UPSSSC PET can be understood from multiple perspectives:
1. Mandatory for Group C Government Jobs in Uttar Pradesh
If you want to apply for any government job under UPSSSC—like Lekhpal, Junior Assistant, Forest Guard, Stenographer, etc.—PET is compulsory.
2. Saves Time and Effort
Earlier, candidates had to appear in multiple prelim exams. PET replaced all those with a single eligibility test.
3. Validity of Scorecard
The PET score remains valid for 1 year, allowing candidates to apply for multiple recruitment notifications within the validity.
4. Transparent Selection
PET uses normalization, ensuring fairness when exams are held in multiple shifts.
5. Large Recruitment Opportunities
Every year, UPSSSC releases thousands of vacancies for different departments. PET opens doors for:
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Revenue Department
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Forest Department
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Health & Family Welfare
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Panchayati Raj
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Rural Development
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Police & Home Department
UPSSSC PET Exam: Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPSSSC Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) |
| Conducted By | Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission |
| Exam Level | State-level |
| Eligibility | 10th Pass or Higher |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Exam Mode | Offline (OMR-based) |
| Question Type | Objective MCQs |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Time Duration | 2 Hours |
| Negative Marking | Yes (0.25 marks) |
| PET Score Validity | 1 Year |
| Purpose | Screening for Group C recruitment |
UPSSSC PET Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for the PET exam, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria:

1. Educational Qualification
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Minimum qualification: Class 10 High School Passed
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There is no maximum qualification limit—graduates and postgraduates can apply too.
2. Age Limit
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Minimum Age: 18 years
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Maximum Age: 40 years
Age relaxation as per UP government rules:
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OBC: +3 years
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SC/ST: +5 years
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PWD: +10 years
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Ex-servicemen: As per government norms
3. Nationality
The candidate must be:
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An Indian citizen
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Preferably a resident of Uttar Pradesh for reservation benefits.
UPSSSC PET Exam Pattern
The PET exam is objective in nature, conducted offline on OMR sheets.
Exam Pattern Summary
| Section | Topics | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Hindi | Passage, Grammar, Vocabulary | 5 |
| Reasoning | Logical & Analytical | 5 |
| Math | Arithmetic & Numerical Ability | 5 |
| General Science | Physics, Chemistry, Biology basics | 5 |
| General Knowledge | National/International | 10 |
| UP GK | History, Culture, Geography, Economy | 20 |
| Current Affairs | National & State | 10 |
| Geography | World & India | 5 |
| History | India freedom movement | 5 |
| Polity | Constitution, Rights, Governance | 5 |
| Economics | Basics & Indian Economy | 5 |
| Graphs & Charts | Interpretation | 5 |
| Tables & Interpretation | Data Analysis | 5 |
Total Questions: 100
Total Marks: 100
Duration: 120 minutes
Negative Marking: Yes (¼ mark)
UPSSSC PET Syllabus 2025 (Detailed)
Here is the complete topic-wise syllabus:
1. Hindi
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शब्दावली
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पर्यायवाची / विलोम
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मुहावरे व लोकोक्तियाँ
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वाक्य सुधार
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अपठित गद्यांश
2. Reasoning
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Series (Alphabetical, Numeric)
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Coding–Decoding
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Classification
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Analogy
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Blood Relation
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Direction
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Non-verbal reasoning
3. Mathematics
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Simplification
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Percentage
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Average
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Ratio & Proportion
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Simple Interest
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Profit & Loss
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Time & Work
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Time & Distance
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Elementary Algebra
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Geometry basics
4. General Science
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Human body
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Disease & Prevention
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Nutrition
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Basic Physics—Force, Motion, Energy
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Everyday Science
5. General Knowledge
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Important national events
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Books & Authors
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Awards & Honors
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Sports
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India’s geography, culture, scientific achievements
6. UP Special GK
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UP History
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UP Economy
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Festivals of UP
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Rivers & Geography
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UP Government Schemes
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UP Culture, Dance, Arts
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UP Current Affairs
7. Current Affairs
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Last 6–12 months national & UP news
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Government schemes
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Budget & economic updates
8. Indian Polity
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Constitution
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Fundamental Rights & Duties
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Important Articles
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Structure of government
9. History
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Ancient, Medieval, Modern
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Freedom movement
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Key personalities
10. Economics
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Basic economics
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GDP, Inflation, Poverty
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Indian Economic Developments
11. Graphs & Charts
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Bar graph
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Pie chart
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Line graph
12. Table Interpretation
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Data tables
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Percentage analysis
UPSSSC PET Score Validity
The PET scorecard is valid for one year from the date of result declaration. Within this period, candidates can:
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Apply for multiple recruitments
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Appear in main exams without reappearing in PET
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Use the best score if PET is reattempted next year
UPSSSC PET Application Process
Here are the steps involved in applying for PET:
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Visit official website: upsssc.gov.in
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Go to Live Advertisements
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Select PET Exam Notification
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Click Apply Online
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Register using PET Registration Number
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Fill application form
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Upload documents
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Pay fees via online mode
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Submit and download the form
UPSSSC PET Admit Card
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Released 7–10 days before the exam
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Can be downloaded using registration number & DOB
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Contains exam date, center, and instructions
UPSSSC PET Answer Key & Result
UPSSSC releases:
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Provisional Answer Key
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Final Answer Key
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Scorecard with normalization
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Cut-off list
Marks are calculated out of 100, and normalization is used to maintain fairness.
UPSSSC PET Cut-Off (General Trend)
| Category | Expected Cut-Off |
|---|---|
| General | 60–72 |
| OBC | 55–68 |
| SC | 50–60 |
| ST | 45–55 |
| Women | 50–60 |
Cut-off depends on:
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Difficulty level
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Number of candidates
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Total vacancies
Posts Filled Through UPSSSC PET
Candidates who pass PET can apply for:
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UP Lekhpal
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Junior Assistant
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Forest Guard
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VDO
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Stenographer
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X-Ray Technician
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Junior Clerk
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Myadi Zila Panchayat Officer
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Excise Constable
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Town Planning Assistant
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Agriculture Technical Assistant
And many other Group C posts.
How to Prepare for UPSSSC PET Exam (Expert Strategy)
To score high in PET and qualify for main exams, follow these expert preparation tips:
1. Understand the Syllabus Completely
PET covers multiple subjects, so clarity is important.
2. Make a 45-Day or 60-Day Study Plan
Make daily targets for General Knowledge, reasoning, math, and UP GK.
3. Prioritize UP GK
UP GK carries 20% weightage—highest among all sections.
4. Refer to Standard Books
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Lucent GK
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Arihant UP GK
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NCERT 6–10 (for basics)
5. Solve Previous Year Papers
UPSSSC repeats questions often.
6. Take Mock Tests Regularly
Time management is key in PET.
7. Revise Multiple Times
Revision ensures accuracy and reduces negative marking.
Best Books for UPSSSC PET
General Knowledge
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Lucent General Knowledge
UP GK
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Arihant UP General Knowledge
Hindi
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Kiran’s Objective Hindi
Maths & Reasoning
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R.S. Aggarwal Quantitative Aptitude
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R.S. Aggarwal Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
Benefits of Clearing UPSSSC PET
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Eligibility for multiple job notifications
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Faster recruitment
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Transparent ranking through normalization
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Access to thousands of vacancies
Conclusion
The UPSSSC PET exam is the foundation for securing a Group C government job in Uttar Pradesh. With millions of aspirants applying every year, the competition is fierce, but strategic preparation, proper understanding of syllabus, and consistent practice can help you score high. Whether you are preparing for Lekhpal, Junior Assistant, Forest Guard, or other UPSSSC posts, PET is the first—and most important—step toward your government job dream.
