HPPSC SET Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for Assistant Professor Posts

Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC)  has released an official notification for the recruitment of Assistant Professor Posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Online through the official HPPSC website. The last date to submit the application form is 30-01-2026. In this article, you’ll find the HPPSC Assistant Professor Posts recruitment details, including eligibility criteria, age limit, salary structure, selection process, application steps, and direct links to the official notification and Online application form.

HPPSC State Eligibility Test (SET) 2026 Overview

HPPSC SET 2026 Subject List

Note:

• The HPPSC SET-2026 will be conducted in Offline mode only
• Test will be conducted at various examination centers located at Shimla, Solan, Mandi, Kangra at Dharamshala, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Nahan, Una, Kullu and Chamba
• This is an eligibility test accredited by University Grants Commission (UGC)
• The test determines eligibility for recruitment to posts of Assistant Professors in Universities and Colleges within Himachal Pradesh

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualifications

• General/Unreserved/General-EWS candidates: Must have secured at least 55% marks (without rounding off) in Master's Degree
• SC of H.P./ST of H.P./OBC (Non-creamy layer) of H.P./PWD of H.P. candidates: Must have secured at least 50% marks (without rounding off) in Master's Degree
• Master's Degree must be from Universities/Institutions recognized by UGC in Humanities (including languages) and Social Sciences, Computer Science & Applications
• Candidates pursuing Master's degree or whose result is awaited may also apply provisionally
• Such candidates must complete their PG Degree examination within two years from the date of SET result with required percentage of marks
• Ph.D. Degree holders whose Master's level examination was completed by 19th September 1991 are eligible for 5% relaxation in aggregate marks (from 55% to 50%)

Essential Requirements

• Candidates must appear in the subject of their post-graduation only
• If Post Graduation subject is not covered in SET subjects list, candidates may appear in UGC-NET/Joint CSIR-UGC Test
• Candidates qualifying SET in subject other than their Master's Degree subject will not be considered eligible
• Reserved category candidates must ensure their certificate is on parental lineage issued by competent authority

Desirable

• Candidates having post-graduate diploma/certificate from Indian/Foreign University should ascertain equivalence with Master's Degree from Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi
• Candidates already in Government service must inform their Head of Office/Department in writing that they have applied for SET

Age Limit

• No Age Limit: A candidate can appear in the SET any number of times and there is no age restriction
• This allows candidates of all ages to appear for the eligibility test

Application Fee

Payment Mode:

• Online payment through Debit Card/Credit Card/Internet Banking via e-Payment Gateway
• Payment must be made on or before the closing date for submission of online applications
• Fee once paid shall neither be refunded under any circumstance nor held in reserve for any other examination
• Payment through any other mode is neither valid nor acceptable
• Applications without prescribed fee will be summarily rejected

Important Dates

Selection Process

• The test consists of two papers conducted in two separate sessions
• Paper-I (General Awareness):
  • Marks: 100
  • Number of Questions: 50 (objective type multiple choice)
  • Duration: 01 Hour
  • Questions of general nature to assess teaching/research aptitude, reasoning ability, comprehension, divergent thinking and general awareness
• Paper-II (Concerned Subject):
  • Marks: 200
  • Number of Questions: 100 (objective type multiple choice)
  • Duration: 02 Hours
  • Questions based on subject selected by candidate to assess domain knowledge covering entire syllabus
• Marking Scheme:
  • Each question carries 2 marks
  • 2 marks for each correct response
  • No negative marking for incorrect response
  • No marks for unanswered/unattempted questions
  • If question is dropped/scrapped, 2 marks awarded to all candidates
• Qualifying Criteria:
  • Top 6% of appeared candidates who appear in both papers will be declared qualified
  • General Category: At least 40% aggregate marks required
  • Reserved Categories: At least 35% aggregate marks required
  • In case of tie at last qualifying cut-off marks, all tied candidates will be considered qualified
  • Candidate must appear in both papers to be considered
• Provisional Answer Keys will be displayed on website for challenges/objections
• Candidates can raise objections by paying Rs. 100/- per question online within 5 days
• Final result will be prepared based on revised answer key

General Information/Instructions

• Applications invited through Online mode only - no other mode will be entertained
• Candidates can apply through official website http://www.hppsc.hp.gov.in
• Closing date for online applications: 30/01/2026 till 11:59 PM, after which link will be disabled
• HPPSC is the Authorized Nodal Agency accredited by UGC for conducting SET
• Admission to SET will be purely provisional subject to satisfying prescribed eligibility conditions
• Mere issuance of admit card does not imply candidature has been finally cleared
• Candidates neither required to send certificates/documents nor printout of Application Form at time of applying
• Candidates must ensure their eligibility for the test themselves
• Wrong information or ineligibility detected at any stage will result in cancellation of candidature
• HPPSC will not undertake verification of documents/eligibility at any stage
• SET certificates issued only based on information provided in Online Application Form
• Information entered in online application form will be treated as final - no changes after closing date
• HPPSC does not edit/modify/alter any information entered by candidates
• Candidates must ensure email address and mobile number registered are their own
• Incomplete applications without requisite fee, photograph and signatures will be rejected
• Facilitation Counter/Help Line available at Tel: 0177-2629738 and Toll Free: 1800-180-8004 (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on working days)

Reservation Policy

• SC of H.P./ST of H.P./EWS of H.P./PWD of H.P./OBC of H.P. (Non-creamy layer) as per State list will be considered for reservation
• Reserved category candidates of other States will be treated as General category candidates
• They will be issued SET certificates only if they qualify at par with General category cut-off marks
• Fee concession applicable only for SC/ST/OBC (Non-creamy layer)/PWD/BPL category candidates of Himachal Pradesh

Exemption/Eligibility for Assistant Professor

• NET/SET shall remain minimum eligibility condition for recruitment and appointment of Assistant Professors
• Ph.D. Degree holders (as per UGC Regulations 2022) are exempted from NET/SET requirement
• Candidates who cleared SET before 1st June 2002 are exempted from NET and eligible anywhere in India
• SET qualified from 1st June 2002 onwards are eligible only in Universities/Colleges of the State where they cleared SET

Provisions for Persons with Disability (PWD)

• Applicable for candidates having 40% or more disability
• Twenty minutes compensatory time for Paper-I and forty minutes for Paper-II
• Candidates unable to write in own handwriting can avail services of scribe
• Prior request required at least one week before examination date
• Candidate may opt for own scribe or request Centre Superintendent for same
• No provision of Test Booklets in Braille for visually impaired candidates

Examination Conduct

• Medium of question papers: English and Hindi only (except for language papers, Computer Science and Environment Sciences)
• In case of ambiguity in translation, English version shall be final
• Syllabus available on HPPSC website and UGC website (covering entire contents including all electives)
• No change of examination centre allowed
• HPPSC may change date/examination centre without assigning reason
• No TA/DA will be paid to candidates
• Use of calculators, Log Tables, mobile phones, pagers, electronic devices not permitted
• Candidate not appearing in Paper-I will not be permitted for Paper-II
• Candidates not allowed to leave examination hall till expiry of full allotted time
• OMR Answer Sheets will be provided
• Candidates allowed to take away Test Booklets of both papers after examination
• No re-checking/re-evaluation of OMR Answer Sheets allowed

Unfair Means/Misconduct

• Creating disturbance, misbehavior, refusing to obey instructions considered misconduct
• Possession of papers/books/notes, giving/receiving assistance, copying, using electronic gadgets prohibited
• Impersonation, breaching examination rules will lead to disqualification
• All examinations under purview of HP Prevention of Malpractices Act 1984 and HP Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2025
• Candidates may be debarred permanently or for specific period from examinations

How to Apply

• Visit official website http://www.hppsc.hp.gov.in/hppsc
• Click on "Apply Online" link on Home Page
• Register and create profile on "One Time Registration" system (OTRS)
• After logging in, list of advertisements will be displayed on dashboard
• Apply for State Eligibility Test through portal
• Upload requisite documents (scanned photograph, signature, certificates)
• Pay requisite examination fee through Debit Card/Credit Card/Internet Banking via e-Payment Gateway
• Preview uploaded documents before submission
• Give undertaking/declaration that uploaded documents are legible, readable and true
• Submit application before 30/01/2026 till 11:59 PM
• Candidates already registered with HPPSC can use earlier User ID and Password
• No further opportunity to upload documents after submission
• Online application once submitted cannot be changed

Documents to be Uploaded

• Latest scanned photograph of prescribed size
• Scanned signature of prescribed size
• Matriculation certificate for age proof
• Master Degree marks sheet in support of Educational Qualifications
• Valid category certificate(s) - S.C., S.T., O.B.C., E.W.S., PWD etc. (on prescribed format)
• Bonafide Himachali Certificate (for reserved category candidates)
• For EWS category: "Income & Asset Certificate" or valid BPL Certificate countersigned by B.D.O. along with non SC/ST/OBC certificate

On Day of Examination

• Bring printout of online Admit Card downloaded from HPPSC website
• Carry ID proof in original along with passport size photograph
• Detailed instructions will be uploaded on website along with e-admit card
• Instructions and e-admit card will not be sent by post
• Ensure signatures and photographs are identical in all places
• Retain photocopy of Application Form for record

HPPSC State Eligibility Test Important Links

• Apply Online: Click here
• Official Notification PDF: Click here
• Official Website: Click here 
• Join Arattai Channel: Click Here
• Join Telegram Channel: Click Here
• Join WhatsApp Channel: Click Here
• Sarkari Result: Click Here
• Download Mobile App: Click Here