The Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) has officially released the HP SET Notification for the Himachal Pradesh State Eligibility Test (HP SET). This examination is conducted to determine the eligibility of candidates for the post of Assistant Professor in universities and colleges across Himachal Pradesh.
The online application process has started from 03 January 2026, and the last date to apply online is 30 January 2026. The HP SET 2026 examination will be conducted in offline mode for 22 subjects at various examination centres across the state.
Table of Contents
HP SET Notification 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) |
| Exam Name | HP State Eligibility Test (HP SET) 2026 |
| Notification Date | 03 January 2026 |
| Total Subjects | 22 Subjects |
| Purpose | Eligibility for Assistant Professor |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Offline (OMR-Based) |
| Notification Release | 03 January 2026 |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start | 03 January 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 January 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 30 January 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 10-15 days before the exam |
| Exam Date | To be notified |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General | ₹1150/- |
| General-EWS / OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) of HP | ₹600/- |
| SC / ST / BPL / PwD (of HP) | ₹325/- |
| Payment Mode | Online (Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking) |
Age Limit
There is No Upper Age Limit for applying to the HP State Eligibility Test. Candidates of any age can appear for this examination.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have a Master’s Degree in the relevant subject from a recognised university.
Subject List
The test will be conducted in 22 subjects, including:
- Chemical Sciences
- English
- Life Sciences
- Commerce
- Economics
- Geography
- Hindi
- History
- Mathematical Sciences
- Music
- Physical Sciences
- Physical Education
- Sociology
- Sanskrit
- Political Science
- Public Administration
- Computer Science & Applications
- Tourism Administration & Management
- Mass Communication & Journalism
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Education
Minimum Marks Required
| Category | Minimum Marks |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 55% |
| SC / ST / OBC (NCL) / PwD (HP) | 50% |
Important Points:
- Marks should be calculated without rounding off.
- Final year / result-awaited candidates are eligible to apply provisionally.
- Such candidates must complete their Master’s degree with the required percentage within two years from the date of declaration of the HP SET result.
Nationality
- The candidate must be a citizen of India.
Note: Reservation benefits apply only to bona fide residents of Himachal Pradesh.
Application Process
- Click on Apply Online, and register on the One Time Registration (OTR) portal.
- Log in and select “State Eligibility Test 2026” from the dashboard.
- Fill in the application form with personal and educational details.
- Upload a scanned Passport Size Photo and Signature.
- Pay the application fee online.
- Submit the form and take a printout for future reference.
Important Links
| Link Type | URL |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification | Download PDF |
| Official Website | Visit here |
Qualifying Process
The HP SET is an eligibility test, not a recruitment examination. Candidates are declared SET qualified based on the following process:
Written Examination
- Candidates must appear in Paper I and Paper II.
- Both papers are conducted in offline mode.
Qualification Criteria
- Only the top 6% of candidates appearing in both papers, who also secure the minimum qualifying marks, are declared SET qualified.
Document Verification
- Qualified candidates are required to produce original Master’s degree certificates.
- Category and reservation certificates (if applicable) are verified.
Exam Pattern
The HP SET 2026 will consist of two papers. Both papers will have objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and will be held in a single day in two separate sessions.
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Awareness & Teaching Aptitude | 50 | 100 | 1 Hour |
| Paper II | Concerned Subject | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Total | 150 | 300 | 3 Hours |
- Negative Marking: There is No Negative Marking for wrong answers.
- Medium: English and Hindi (except for language subjects).
- Passing Marks: 40% aggregate for General/EWS and 35% for Reserved Categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD).
Salary & Benefit Details
The HP SET is a qualifying examination, not a recruitment process. Candidates who qualify for the HP SET become eligible to apply for the post of Assistant Professor in universities and colleges of Himachal Pradesh, subject to vacancies and recruitment rules of the respective institutions.
Assistant Professor Pay Structure (As per HP Government Norms)
| Designation | Pay Level | Entry Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | Level–10 (Academic Pay Level) | ₹57,700 per month |
Allowances & Benefits
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Medical facilities
- Other allowances as per the Himachal Pradesh Government rules
Note: Final appointment, salary, and allowances depend on the recruiting university or college and applicable government norms at the time of appointment.
FAQs: HP SET Notification 2026
What is the last date to apply for HP SET 2026?
The last date to submit the online application for HP SET 2026 is 30 January 2026.
For how many subjects is HP SET conducted?
HP SET is conducted for 22 different subjects.
Does qualifying for HP SET guarantee a job as an Assistant Professor?
No. HP SET is an eligibility test only. Qualifying for the exam makes candidates eligible to apply for Assistant Professor posts, but final selection depends on recruitment by universities or colleges.
Who conducts the HP SET examination?
The HP SET examination is conducted by the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC).
What is the mode of the HP SET 2026 examination?
The HP SET 2026 examination is conducted in offline (OMR-based) mode.
How many papers are conducted in the HP SET exam?
The HP SET consists of two papers:
Paper I: General Awareness and Teaching Aptitude
Paper II: Subject-specific paper chosen by the candidate
Is there negative marking in the HP SET examination?
No. There is no negative marking in HP SET 2026.
Can final year Master’s degree students apply for HP SET 2026?
Yes. Candidates who are in the final year of their Master’s degree or awaiting results can apply provisionally, subject to fulfilling eligibility conditions later.
Is there any age limit for appearing in the HP SET?
No. There is no upper age limit for appearing in the HP State Eligibility Test.
conclusion
The HP SET 2026 is an important eligibility examination for candidates aiming to become Assistant Professors in universities and colleges of Himachal Pradesh. HP SET is a valuable opportunity for postgraduate candidates planning an academic career.
Along with academic eligibility exams, candidates can also explore other government job opportunities, such as Bihar Police Havildar Clerk recruitment 2026, which is a good option for candidates seeking a stable government job.
