Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC), Prayagraj has released the notification for Principal Selection Examination 2026 for 1,475 Principal posts in non-government aided schools of Uttar Pradesh. Eligible candidates with a postgraduate degree, B.Ed. and the required teaching or Headmaster experience can apply online through the OTR-based application system.
The online application process starts on 23 October 2026. The last date for payment of the application fee is 22 November 2026, the correction deadline is 25 November 2026, and the written examination is scheduled for 7 January 2027.
UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organisation | Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC), Prayagraj |
| Advertisement Number | 08/2026 |
| Recruitment Name | Principal Selection Examination, 2026 |
| Post Name | Principal |
| Total Vacancies | 1,475 |
| Vacancies in Boys' Schools | 1,318 |
| Vacancies in Girls' Schools | 157 |
| Application Mode | Online through OTR-based application system |
| Starting Date | 23 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Application Fee Payment | 22 November 2026 |
| Correction Last Date | 25 November 2026 |
| Examination Date | 7 January 2027 |
| Age Limit | 30 to 62 years as on 1 July 2026 |
| Pay Scale | Level-12: ₹78,800 to ₹2,09,200 |
| Application Fee | ₹2,000 for General, OBC, EWS, SC, ST and PwD candidates |
| Selection Process | Written Examination and Interview |
| Job Location | Uttar Pradesh |
| Official Website | www.upessc.up.gov.in |
According to the vacancy table on page 10 of the notification, 1,318 Principal posts are requisitioned for boys' schools and 157 for girls' schools, for a combined total of 1,475 posts. The notification also states that the number of vacancies may increase or decrease.
UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF
Candidates should read the complete UPESSC Principal Selection Examination 2026 notification before applying. The detailed notification contains the vacancy details, eligibility requirements, examination pattern, school-category conditions, application instructions and the list of requisitioned schools.
Downlaod UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF
UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 23 October 2026 |
| OTR/Online Application Start Date | 23 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Application Fee Payment | 22 November 2026 |
| Last Date for Application Correction | 25 November 2026 |
| Written Examination | 7 January 2027 |
The notification's important-dates section specifies 23 October 2026 as the notification and application start date, 22 November 2026 as the final date for examination-fee payment, 25 November 2026 as the final date for correction, and 7 January 2027 as the examination date.
UPESSC Principal Vacancy 2026
| School Category | Principal Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Boys' Schools | 1,318 |
| Girls' Schools | 157 |
| Total | 1,475 |
The vacancies relate to the Principal post in non-government aided schools under the Secondary Education Department of Uttar Pradesh. The detailed requisitioned-school list is provided in Appendix/Table 2 of the notification.
UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026 Eligibility
Candidates must fulfil the prescribed educational and experience requirements for the Principal post by the applicable date. The essential qualifications include a postgraduate degree, B.Ed. qualification and the required teaching or Headmaster experience.
Educational Qualification
- Postgraduate degree from a university established by law in India or a recognised university/institution with at least 50% marks.
- B.Ed. degree from an NCTE-recognised programme.
- At least 4 years of teaching experience as a Lecturer or Assistant Teacher in Classes 9 to 12 in an institution recognised by the Central or State Government.
- OR at least 4 years of service as Headmaster of a High School, with the required experience certificate issued by the competent authority.
The notification specifies the postgraduate qualification, B.Ed. and the prescribed four years of teaching or Headmaster experience under the essential qualification section.
UPESSC Principal Age Limit 2026
The minimum age for the Principal post is 30 years and the maximum age is 62 years. Age is calculated as on 1 July 2026.
The notification states that the retirement age for the post is 62 years.
UPESSC Principal Salary 2026
Selected candidates for the Principal post will receive pay at Level-12, with a pay range of ₹78,800 to ₹2,09,200.
The prescribed pay scale is given in the reservation, age and pay-scale section of the notification.
UPESSC Principal Application Fee 2026
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹2,000 |
| SC / ST | ₹2,000 |
| PwD | ₹2,000 |
The notification specifies an examination fee of ₹2,000 for General/OBC/EWS, SC/ST and Divyangjan candidates.
UPESSC Principal Selection Process 2026
The selection process consists of a written examination followed by an interview. A total of 400 marks are considered for preparing the merit list.
| Selection Stage | Marks |
|---|---|
| Written Examination | 360 |
| Interview | 40 |
| Total | 400 |
The written examination consists of 120 objective-type questions for 360 marks, while the interview carries 40 marks. The final merit list is prepared on the basis of the combined marks.
UPESSC Principal Exam Pattern 2026
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Written Examination |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Total Questions | 120 |
| Total Marks | 360 |
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours |
| Correct Answer | +3 Marks |
| Wrong/Multiple Answer | -1 Mark |
| Question Paper Language | Hindi and English, except language subjects |
The examination is objective in nature. Each question has four options and candidates must select the most appropriate answer. Three marks are awarded for each correct answer and one mark is deducted for an incorrect or multiple answer.
UPESSC Principal Exam Syllabus 2026
The detailed syllabus for the Principal written examination is available on the official UPESSC website. Candidates should refer to the syllabus issued by the Commission for the subjects and topics covered in the examination.
The notification specifically directs candidates to the UPESSC website for viewing and downloading the Principal post examination syllabus.
UPESSC Principal School Eligibility Rules
The notification contains specific rules regarding the category of school for which candidates may apply.
- Male candidates are not eligible for appointment as Principal in girls' institutions.
- Female candidates can apply for both boys' and girls' school categories.
- At the time of application, female candidates must select either the boys' or girls' school category.
- School allocation will be carried out by the authorised authority of the Directorate of Secondary Education, Uttar Pradesh.
These school-category conditions are specifically stated in the general instructions and the school-allocation provisions of the notification.
How to Apply for UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official UPESSC website.
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR), which is mandatory for this recruitment.
- Login to the OTR-based online application system.
- Enter the required personal, educational and experience details in English.
- Upload the required photograph and scanned signature in the prescribed format.
- Upload the required certificates/documents in PDF format wherever required.
- Pay the examination fee through the available online payment facility.
- Check all details carefully before final submission.
- Submit the application online before the prescribed deadline.
- Save and print multiple copies of the submitted application for future use.
UPESSC has made OTR-based online application mandatory for this recruitment. Applications through any other mode will not be accepted. Candidates are also advised to check their information carefully because certain personal details cannot be changed after final submission.
Documents Required for UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026
Candidates should retain the required documents and certificates for the interview/document verification stage. The notification requires shortlisted candidates to bring self-attested copies of the relevant academic, experience and other documents along with the online application.
- Online application form
- High School marksheet and certificate
- Intermediate marksheet and certificate
- Graduation marksheets and degree
- Postgraduate marksheets and degree
- B.Ed. marksheet and degree
- Experience certificate in the prescribed format
- No Objection Certificate, where applicable
- Disability certificate, where applicable
- Required affidavit
- Character certificates
- Other documents prescribed for the interview
The notification lists the documents to be produced at the interview, including self-attested copies of academic records, experience certificate, NOC, disability certificate where applicable, affidavit and character certificates.
UPESSC Principal Admit Card 2026
The examination centre information will be communicated before the examination. The district information is to be provided approximately 10 days before the examination, while the examination-centre information is to be available approximately 3 days before the examination through the admit card.
Candidates must appear only at the examination centre allotted to them. The notification states that appearing at a centre other than the allotted centre can result in cancellation of candidature and non-evaluation of the answer sheet.
UPESSC Principal Interview 2026
Candidates shortlisted for the interview on the basis of written-examination marks will receive information regarding the interview date, time and venue through SMS, email, newspaper and the UPESSC website. The interview information will be provided at least 10 days in advance.
The interview carries 40 marks. Shortlisted candidates must attend the interview and submit the required documents and affidavit in the prescribed format.
UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026 Important Instructions
- OTR is mandatory before applying online.
- The application must be submitted online only.
- The application form must be filled in English.
- Photograph and signature must be uploaded in the prescribed size and format.
- Uploaded certificates/documents must comply with the prescribed PDF size requirements.
- Only the final submitted application will be considered if multiple applications are submitted.
- The examination fee is non-refundable.
- Candidates should retain copies of the submitted application.
- Eligibility must be maintained by the applicable date.
- The Commission's decision regarding eligibility will be final.
The notification also states that candidates are responsible for the accuracy of the information submitted in the application and may face cancellation or debarment if incorrect or concealed information is discovered.
UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026 Apply Online
Eligible candidates can apply online through the OTR-based application system available through the official UPESSC website. The application process starts on 23 October 2026, with the last date for fee payment on 22 November 2026 and the correction deadline on 25 November 2026.
