The Himachal Pradesh State Eligibility Test (HP SET) 2026 is a state-level eligibility examination conducted to determine the suitability of candidates for the post of Assistant Professor in universities and colleges of Himachal Pradesh. The examination is organized by the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) in accordance with the standards prescribed for higher education recruitment.
HPSET 2026 aims to ensure that candidates possess the required subject knowledge, teaching aptitude, research ability, and analytical skills necessary for an academic career. The examination is conducted in offline (pen-and-paper) mode and consists of two papers: Paper I, which tests general awareness, reasoning, and teaching aptitude, and Paper II, which assesses in-depth knowledge of the candidate’s chosen subject.
Click Here to Download Notification PDF
HP SET : Overview of the Exam
The HPSET 2026 is an accredited test by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and is conducted by the HPPSC. The commission has emphasized that applications must be submitted purely through the “Online” mode, and any other form of application will be rejected.
| Particulars | Details |
| Conducting Body | Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) |
| Official Website | www.hppsc.hp.gov.in |
| Notification Date | 03 January 2026 |
| Application Closing Date | 30 January 2026 (till 11:59 PM) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Exam Centers | Shimla, Solan, Mandi, Kangra (Dharamshala), Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Nahan, Una, Kullu, Chamba |
What is the HP SET Exam?
The State Eligibility Test (SET) is an examination designed to determine the eligibility of candidates for recruitment to the post of Assistant Professor(s) in Universities and Colleges located specifically within the State of Himachal Pradesh.
Unlike a direct recruitment exam that guarantees a job offer immediately upon passing, the HPSET acts as a qualifying standard. Candidates who qualify for the HPSET become eligible to apply for Assistant Professor vacancies in Himachal Pradesh’s higher education institutions. It is important to note that SET-qualified candidates are eligible to apply for these posts only in the universities and colleges situated in the state from where they have cleared their SET.
The exam covers 22 distinct subjects, ranging from Chemical Sciences and English to Tourism Administration and Music . Candidates are advised to appear in the subject of their post-graduation only.
HP SET : Salary
The official HPSET focuses strictly on the eligibility criteria and conduct of the examination and does not explicitly state a salary figure. This is because HPSET is a qualifying examination, not a direct job appointment.
However, qualifying for the HPSET is a prestigious achievement that opens the door to the position of Assistant Professor. In India, the post of Assistant Professor in government universities and colleges generally follows the UGC pay scales, which are known to be lucrative and accompanied by various government benefits.
HP SET : Selection Process
The selection process for HPSET is rigorous but straightforward. It involves the following stages:
| Stage | Details |
| Online Application & Registration | Candidates must register on the HPPSC One Time Registration (OTR) portal and submit the online application on or before 30 January 2026. No document verification is done at this stage; candidature remains purely provisional. |
| Written Test (Offline) | All applicants must appear for a written examination consisting of two papers. The examination will be conducted only in offline (pen and paper) mode. |
| Answer Key & Objection Process | A Provisional Answer Key will be released after the exam. Candidates may challenge it by paying a non-refundable fee of ₹100 per question. The final result is prepared based on the revised answer key. |
| Result Declaration (Top 6% Rule) | Only the top 6% of candidates who appear in both papers and score at least 40% aggregate marks (General) or 35% aggregate marks (Reserved categories) will be declared qualified for eligibility for Assistant Professor. |
HP SET : Exam Pattern
The HPSET 2026 will consist of two papers conducted in two separate sessions. Both papers will consist entirely of objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Number of Questions | Duration | Focus / Purpose |
| Paper I | General Awareness | 100 | 50 | 1 Hour | General in nature. Assesses teaching and research aptitude, reasoning ability, comprehension, divergent thinking, and general awareness. |
| Paper II | Concerned Subject | 200 | 100 | 2 Hours | Questions based on the specific subject chosen by the candidate to assess domain knowledge. |
Key Rules:
- Marking: Each question carries 2 marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect responses.
- Medium: Question papers are in English and Hindi only, except for language papers, Computer Science, and Environment Sciences.
- Compensatory Time: Persons with Disability (PWD) having 40% or more disability are allowed 20 minutes compensatory time for Paper-I and 40 minutes for Paper-II.
HP SET : Syllabus
The syllabus for HPSET 2026 is comprehensive and aligned with national standards.
General Paper (Paper I):
The syllabus covers teaching and research aptitude. Candidates should prepare for reasoning, reading comprehension, and general awareness of the educational landscape.
Subject Paper (Paper II):
The syllabus covers the entire content of the chosen subject. The notification lists 22 subjects available for the test:
- 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 and Applications
- Tourism Administration and Management
- Mass Communication and Journalism
- Psychology
- Education
- Environment Sciences .
Trending Links :
| HP SET Full Notification | Click Here to Read |
