The UP Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC) has officially released the recruitment notification for 111 Principal vacancies in government-aided degree colleges. This guide provides comprehensive details, including the application link, the exam scheduled for 24.09.2026, mandatory eligibility criteria, age limits, application fees, and the step-by-step selection process.
UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026 Out
UPESSC has published Advertisement No. 02/2026 for the recruitment of Principals across various co-education and women’s degree colleges in Uttar Pradesh. The online registration window opened on 21 July 2026. Interested candidates who meet the specified qualifications must submit their applications via the official UPESSC portal before the deadline. Selection is based on a rigorous evaluation involving a written examination and a personal interview, as outlined further in this article.
UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026: Overview
Below is a concise summary of the critical details regarding this competitive recruitment drive.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | UP Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC) |
| Post Name | Principal |
| Advertisement No. | 02/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 111 |
| Notification Date | 21.07.2026 |
| Application Start Date | 21.07.2026 |
| Last Date to Pay Fee | 20.08.2026 |
| Last Date for Correction | 23.08.2026 |
| Exam Date | 24.09.2026 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official Website | www.upessc.up.gov.in |
| Notification | Download PDF |
UPESSC Principal Vacancy
The UPESSC has announced 111 vacancies for the Principal position, distributed across state-aided co-education and women’s degree colleges. These figures were finalized by the Directorate of Higher Education, Uttar Pradesh, Prayagraj. The following section breaks down the vacancy distribution by college category:
| College Type | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Co-education Degree Colleges | 89 |
| Women’s Degree Colleges | 22 |
| Total | 111 |
UPESSC Principal Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must ensure they possess the necessary academic credentials and professional experience required by the commission. Please refer to the table below for a detailed breakdown of the eligibility standards set by UPESSC.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | PhD degree |
| Experience | At least 15 years of teaching/research experience as Professor or Associate Professor in a university, college, or institution of higher education |
| Research Publications | At least 10 research publications in peer-reviewed or UGC-listed journals |
| Minimum Research Score | 110 (as per API Table 2) |
| Age Limit | Maximum 62 years as on 01.07.2026 |
UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026 Apply Link
Candidates should submit their applications online through the official UPESSC website at www.upessc.up.gov.in. Applications are exclusively accepted through the OTR (One Time Registration) platform; offline submissions are not permitted. Use the link below to access the application portal.
How to Apply for UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates should follow the outlined online application process carefully to ensure successful submission. Review each step thoroughly before finalizing your application.
- Visit the official website www.upessc.up.gov.in.
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR), which is mandatory before applying.
- Fill in the online application form with correct details.
- Upload photo, signature, and required documents as per the given format.
- Pay the application fee through the available online payment mode.
- Submit the form and take a printout for future reference.
UPESSC Principal Application Fees
The application fee for the UPESSC Principal recruitment is uniform for all applicant categories. Payments must be processed online using net banking, credit cards, or debit cards. Please be advised that all application fees are non-refundable.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General/Unreserved/OBC/EWS and Others | Rs. 3,000 |
| SC/ST | Rs. 3,000 |
| Persons with Disability (PwD) | Rs. 3,000 |
UPESSC Principal Age Limit
The official notification specifies the maximum age limit for the Principal role. Applicants are advised to double-check their age eligibility before submission, as the commission does not allow amendments to date-of-birth records post-submission. Candidates exceeding the age limit by the cut-off date will be disqualified.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Cut-off Date for Age | 01.07.2026 |
| Maximum Age Limit | 62 years |
| Age Relaxation | Not mentioned category-wise in the notification |
UPESSC Principal Selection Process
The selection process for UPESSC Principal consists of a written examination and a subsequent interview. The final merit list will be determined by the cumulative performance in both stages. Please refer to the table below for the specific selection criteria.
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Written Exam | 360 marks (120 objective type questions) |
| Marking Scheme | 3 marks for each correct answer |
| Negative Marking | 1 mark deducted for each wrong or multiple answer |
| Minimum Research Score Required | 110 (API score) |
| Interview | 40 marks |
| Final Selection | Based on combined written exam and interview marks |
UPESSC Principal Salary
Successful candidates will be entitled to a competitive salary package as per the 7th Pay Commission pay scale. Detailed information on the compensation structure is provided below.
| Post | Pay Level | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Principal | Level-14 | Rs. 1,44,200 to Rs. 2,18,200 |
UPESSC Principal Recruitment 2026: FAQs
The official notification (Advertisement No. 02/2026) was released by UPESSC, Prayagraj, on 21 July 2026.
There are 111 vacancies in total, comprising 89 positions in co-education degree colleges and 22 positions in women's degree colleges.
The final deadline for the online payment of the application fee is 20 August 2026.
The written examination is currently scheduled to take place on 24 September 2026.
The non-refundable application fee is fixed at Rs. 3,000 for all candidates.