UPESSC Principal Admit Card 2026 - Download Now

Opening Overview

The Uttar Pradesh Education Services Selection Commission (UPESSC), Prayagraj, has issued the notification for the Principal Selection Examination 2026 under Advertisement No. 02/2026. The examination is for 111 Principal posts in aided co-educational and women’s degree colleges across Uttar Pradesh. The written examination is scheduled for 24/09/2026; candidates should download the admit card from the official portal when the Commission activates the download link.

Post Details

Important Dates

Application Fee

The examination fee can be paid through credit card, debit card or net banking. Candidates should preserve the fee receipt. Fee once deposited will not be refunded or adjusted against another application.

Age Limit

The maximum age limit for the Principal post is 62 years as on 01/07/2026. The date of birth recorded in the High School or equivalent certificate will be accepted for age verification.

Vacancy Details

The number of vacancies may be increased or decreased. The notification states that vertical and horizontal reservation information for the 111 posts is zero as provided by the Directorate of Higher Education, Uttar Pradesh, Prayagraj.

Eligibility / Qualification

Candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Ph.D. degree.
• At least 15 years of teaching or research experience as an Associate Professor or Professor, or as an equivalent academic position, in universities, colleges or other institutions of higher education.
• At least 10 research publications in peer-reviewed or UGC-listed journals.
• Minimum 110 Research Score/API points as prescribed in Appendix 2 of the notification.
• For Principal posts in Law Colleges, the norms of the Bar Council of India will be considered.
• For Principal posts in B.Ed. colleges, the norms of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) will be considered.

Selection Process

1. Written examination of 360 marks.
2. Shortlisting of candidates for interview on the basis of written examination marks.
3. Interview of 40 marks.
4. Submission of college preference order by shortlisted candidates.
5. Document verification and submission of the prescribed affidavit and supporting records.
6. Final selection and college allotment according to merit, eligibility and preference order.

A candidate must have at least 110 Research Score/API points to be considered eligible for the Principal post. Appointment will initially be for five years and may be extended for another five-year term on the basis of performance evaluation under the applicable regulations.

Exam Pattern

There is negative marking of 1 mark for every incorrect or multiple-marked answer. The written examination will comprise General Knowledge and Administrative Aptitude sections.

Part A: General Knowledge

• 40 objective questions, carrying 3 marks each.
• Current affairs of state, national and international importance.
• Important personalities, games, sports and multimedia.
• Science, technology and environment.
• Indian Constitution and polity.
• Legal and constitutional developments related to education.
• Indian history and national movement.
• Indian economy and basic geography.
• Information and Communication Technology, internet applications and educational technology.

Part B: Administrative Aptitude Test

• 80 objective questions, carrying 3 marks each.
• Indian culture and ethics, ancient Indian education and the Guru-Shishya tradition.
• Indian art, literature and contribution to world heritage.
• Pre- and post-independence educational developments and educational thinkers.
• Educational commissions and the National Education Policy.
• Higher education institutions, research, formal education, distance education and professional education.
• Regulatory bodies including UGC, NCTE, AICTE, MCI, NAAC, BCI and RCI.
• Governance and administration of higher education in Uttar Pradesh.
• University and college authorities, service conditions, recognition, affiliation and examinations.
• RTI, IQAC, prohibition of ragging and student union elections.
• Uttar Pradesh State Universities Act, 1973, UP Higher Education Services Commission Act and Regulations, university statutes and ordinances, and UGC regulations.
• Financial management, sources of financial assistance, accounts, budgeting, audit and the Financial Handbook.
• Rights and duties of the Principal, maintenance of facilities and assets, academic excellence, discipline and institutional administration.

The question paper difficulty distribution is expected to be 50% average, 30% difficult and 20% most difficult.

Admit Card Details

• The Commission will communicate the examination date, time, venue, examination centre and admit card download information through SMS, email, newspapers and the official portal.
• Candidates must download the admit card from www.upessc.up.gov.in after the download link becomes active.
• Admit card download generally requires the registration number and date of birth.
• Candidates must appear only at the examination centre allotted to them. Change of examination centre is not permitted.
• Candidates should print the admit card and carry it to the examination centre along with a valid identity document.
• Candidates must bring a black ball-point pen for marking the OMR sheet. Blue or other coloured pens, fountain pens, gel pens, pencils and whitener are prohibited.
• Erasing, scratching or damaging the OMR sheet with an eraser, blade, nail or whitener will result in cancellation of the answer sheet.
• Candidates must correctly write their roll number, subject code, question booklet number and series on the OMR sheet.
• Eligible persons with disabilities may receive a scribe facility according to the applicable government orders. Such candidates must submit the required details to the Commission at least one week before the written examination. An additional 20 minutes per hour will be allowed.
• No travel allowance or daily allowance will be paid for appearing in the written examination or interview.

Interview and Document Verification

Shortlisted candidates will be informed of the interview date, time and venue through SMS, email, newspapers and the official website at least 10 days in advance. Candidates must download the interview letter and bring two self-attested sets of all relevant documents, including:

• Two self-attested copies of the online application form.
• Two copies of the college preference order in the prescribed format.
• High School and Intermediate marksheets and certificates.
• Graduation and postgraduation marksheets and certificates.
• B.Ed. or LL.B. documents, wherever applicable.
• Ph.D., D.Litt., D.Sc., LL.D. and M.Phil. documents, wherever applicable.
• Proof of teaching, research or administrative experience.
• No Objection Certificate for serving candidates.
• Disability certificate, where applicable.
• Character certificates, affidavit and other documents prescribed in the notification.

Women candidates who do not wish to be appointed in postgraduate women’s colleges or undergraduate women’s colleges must submit the prescribed declaration at the time of interview. All shortlisted candidates must submit the prescribed affidavit and ensure that the information and documents provided are genuine and accurate.