Two days, four shifts, and more than 25 lakh hopefuls. Uttar Pradesh is about to stage one of Indias biggest recruitment screens as the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission schedules the Preliminary Eligibility Test for early September. If youre chasing a government job under Group B or C in the state, this is the gate you need to cross.
Dates, shifts, scale: whats locked in
The UPSSSC PET 2025 will run on September 6 and 7, 2025, in two shifts each day: 10:00 AM12:00 PM and 3:00 PM05:00 PM. The exam will be held offline across 48 districts to spread out the massive footfall. City intimation slips were released on August 27, giving candidates an early look at their test cities so they can map out travel and lodging.
Admit cards are expected by the end of August. Those will confirm the exact test centre, roll number, reporting time, and instructions. Expect heavy security checks and a strict reporting schedule, especially in the morning shift.
The application cycle opened on May 14 after the notification on May 2, and closed on June 17, with fee payment and corrections open until June 24. With registrations now settled, the focus shifts to logistics and last-mile prep.
One policy change stands out this year: the PET score will now be valid for three years instead of one. That means a single qualifying performance can fuel multiple recruitment attempts across upcoming cycles, saving money, time, and the stress of retesting every year.
The PET is the common screen for a long list of Group C roles and some Group B posts that involve a PET as a qualifying stage. Expect it to be used for recruitments like Junior Assistant/Clerk, UP Lekhpal, X-Ray Technician, Forest Guard, Stenographer, and similar profiles advertised by the commission through the year.
Pattern, language, what to prepare, and how the process unfolds
The PET will be conducted in English and Hindi. Its a pen-and-paper test, objective type. Based on recent PET cycles and the commissions syllabus, the paper typically spans 100 multiple-choice questions to be completed in two hours, covering:
- General Knowledge and Current Affairs (India and Uttar Pradesh)
- Indian History and the National Movement
- Indian Polity, Constitution, and Public Administration
- Geography and Environment
- Indian Economy
- General Science
- Elementary Arithmetic
- General Hindi and General English
- Reasoning
- Data interpretation (graphs, tables, analysis)
UPSSSC assessments in recent years have applied negative marking (commonly a 0.25 deduction for a wrong answer), and PET papers have generally carried 100 marks for 100 questions. Candidates should follow the instructions on the admit card for the final marking scheme and any shift-specific directions.
Because the test runs in multiple shifts across two days, the commission usually normalizes scores to ensure fairness. The PET score then becomes the basis for shortlisting candidates for post-specific Mains exams or skill tests the commission advertises later. Your PET performance doesnt give you a job; it earns you a spot in the next round when vacancies come up.
What does the new three-year validity change for you? It stretches your opportunity window. If you qualify with a good score this year, you can use it for upcoming recruitment notices without needing to take the PET again next year. That also helps the commission run recruitments faster since theres a stable score pool to shortlist from.
Key dates at a glance:
- Notification: May 2, 2025
- Applications: May 14 to June 17, 2025
- Fee payment and corrections: until June 24, 2025
- City intimation slips: August 27, 2025
- Admit cards: expected by end of August 2025
- Exam dates: September 67, 2025 (10 AM12 PM and 3 PM05 PM)
How to use your city intimation and admit card wisely:
- Log in to your dashboard and check your allotted city. If its far, lock in travel and stay early. Prices spike as the date nears.
- Once the admit card drops, verify your name, photo, signature, category, and exam shift. If something is off, raise it using the helpline options listed on the commissions website.
- Print two clean copies of the admit card, and keep a soft copy on your phone. Smudged printouts slow down entry.
What to carry on exam day:
- Admit card and a valid photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Driving Licence, Passport, or Voter ID)
- Two black or blue ballpoint pens
- Simple, transparent water bottle if permitted
- Passport-size photo (as per admit card instructions)
What to avoid:
- Electronic devices: phones, smartwatches, earbuds, fitness bands
- Study material, written notes, calculators, or any programmable device
- Bulky accessories or clothing with metal parts that can trigger frisking delays
Reporting drill that saves you trouble:
- Reach the centre at least 6090 minutes before reporting time. Traffic and security queues are real at big centres.
- Read the seating plan outside your building before entering. Dont rely on crowd guesses.
- Listen to invigilators; they will announce OMR fill-up rules, marking bubbles, and the exact start and end time.
Smart prep in the final stretch:
- Revise static GK and UP-specific facts: districts, rivers, festivals, major schemes, and recent state appointments.
- Work on arithmetic speed: percentages, ratio-proportion, simple and compound interest, averages, time-speed-distance, and data interpretation. Timed practice pays off on OMR tests.
- Daily current affairs recap: last 68 months is a safe bet, with focus on national events, G20 outcomes, budget highlights, major bills, awards, sports, and science milestones.
- Language polish: Hindi vyakaran and comprehension can be easy marks; dont ignore English basics (synonyms, antonyms, cloze tests, error spotting) if youre attempting in English.
- Mock tests in two-hour windows. Train your brain for the exam rhythms and bubble-marking discipline.
After the exam, expect a provisional answer key first, along with a window to raise objections. Final answer keys and results typically follow after expert review. With four shifts, normalization will likely be applied before the scorecards are released to your dashboard. The commission will then tag post-specific notifications to PET scores and invite shortlisted candidates to mains/skill stages.
For candidates who may need a scribe or extra time, refer to the admit card and the commissions rules. Such requests must match the eligibility and documentation standards; late requests at the gate usually dont work.
Travel and safety tips if your centre is far:
- Prefer a day-early arrival for morning shifts in another city; last-minute bus or train delays are common.
- Carry a simple day pack: ID, admit card, two pens, water, and a snack. Most centres wont allow large bags inside, so travel light.
- Save digital copies of documents in your phones cloud/drive for emergencies.
Why this PET matters so much: over 25 lakh candidates means the competition is deep. But shortlists depend on score distribution, not just the headcount. A clean, error-free paper with calm time management often beats risky guessing. With the new three-year validity, a strong score this season can lift your chances across multiple notifications without a retake.
If youre sitting for the afternoon shift, use the morning for a light revision onlyno heavy new topics. For morning shift candidates, prep your kit the night before and plan your route. The goal is simple: reach early, follow instructions, and give a focused two-hour effort.
Watch your dashboard for admit cards, instructions, and any centre-level advisories as the date nears. If the commission posts a seating plan or reporting stagger, follow it. The smoother the entry, the more time you save for the actual testand thats where every mark counts.