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HP SET Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility

1057 topics across 86 subjects. Every question carries a written explanation.

The Himachal Pradesh State Eligibility Test is run by the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission as the UGC-accredited nodal agency. Passing makes you eligible for Assistant Professor posts in universities and colleges in Himachal Pradesh, and nowhere else. There's no limit on how many times you can sit it, and no age limit.

The 2026 test was advertised on 3 January 2026 (Advertisement No. 1/1-2026) in 22 subjects, as a pen-and-paper exam at district centres across the state.

Reservation is for Himachal's own categories. A reserved-category candidate from another state sits as General and needs the General cut-off to qualify.

Last checked against the official notification on .

Previous year question papers

HP SET Details

Exam Pattern
PaperQuestionsMarksTime
Paper I, general: teaching and research aptitude, reasoning, comprehension, divergent thinking, general awareness501001 hour
Paper II, your subject1002002 hours
  • Offline, multiple choice, in two separate sessions.
  • Two marks a question, all compulsory, no negative marking. A dropped question gives two marks to everyone.
  • English and Hindi, except the language papers, Computer Science and Environment Sciences.
  • No Braille booklets. Candidates with 40 per cent or more disability get 20 extra minutes in Paper I and 40 in Paper II, and can use a scribe if they ask a week ahead.
Syllabus

Paper II covers the whole syllabus of your subject, as posted on the HPPSC website and the UGC's UGC-NET syllabus page, including all electives. The Commission won't send anyone a copy.

The 22 subjects:

GroupSubjects
LanguagesEnglish, Hindi, Sanskrit
Social sciences and humanitiesEconomics, Geography, History, Political Science, Public Administration, Sociology, Psychology, Mass Communication and Journalism, Music
SciencesChemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Applications, Environment Sciences
ProfessionalCommerce, Education, Physical Education, Tourism Administration and Management

Two exclusions are spelt out: an Acharya (traditional Sanskrit) degree doesn't qualify for Sanskrit, and a hotel management degree doesn't qualify for Tourism Administration. If your subject isn't listed, take UGC-NET or the Joint CSIR-UGC test.

Eligibility Criteria
  • A Master's from a UGC-recognised university with 55 per cent (General, Unreserved, General-EWS) or 50 per cent (SC, ST, OBC Non-Creamy Layer and PwD of Himachal Pradesh). No rounding off.
  • Final-year students can apply provisionally, with two years from the result to pass with those marks.
  • Ph.D. holders whose Master's was completed by 19 September 1991 need only 50 per cent.
  • Category certificates must be on parental lineage, from the competent authority.
  • Diplomas and foreign degrees need AIU equivalence with a Master's.

The Commission doesn't verify documents at any stage. Certificates are issued on what you entered in the form, and wrong information means cancellation.

A Ph.D. awarded under the UGC Ph.D. Regulations, 2022 exempts you from NET/SET altogether for Assistant Professor posts.

Selection Process

The top 6 per cent of candidates who sat both papers qualify, provided they reach 40 per cent aggregate (General) or 35 per cent (reserved), with the slots shared under the state's reservation policy. Everyone tied at the last qualifying mark in a subject qualifies, so the number can go over 6 per cent.

Provisional answer keys go up after the exam. You get five days to object, at ₹100 a question, non-refundable, with supporting documents. The result uses the revised key.

How to Apply

Apply online through One Time Registration on hppsc.hp.gov.in. If you're already registered with HPPSC, use the same login.

CategoryFee
General₹1,150
Gen-EWS, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) of H.P.₹600
SC, ST and BPL of H.P., PwD of H.P., EWS BPL of H.P.₹325

Pay by card or net banking. Fees aren't refunded, and nothing in the form can be changed after the closing date. The 2026 window closed on 30 January 2026.

Exam Centres

Centres at Shimla, Solan, Mandi, Dharamshala (Kangra), Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Nahan, Una, Kullu and Chamba, depending on how many apply for each.

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