UPPSC PCS 2026: Around 500 Officer Posts (SDM, DSP, BDO), Apply by 27 July

The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission has opened its biggest recruitment of the year. The PCS 2026 exam will fill roughly 500 officer posts — Deputy Collector (SDM), DSP, Block Development Officer and more. If you’re a graduate who wants a respected state government job in UP, this is the one to watch. Applications close on 27 July 2026, so you have a few weeks, not months.

What posts are on offer?

UPPSC PCS is the gateway to some of the most powerful jobs in the state administration. This year’s vacancies are spread across Group A and Group B services. The well-known ones include:

• Deputy Collector (SDM)
• Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)
• Block Development Officer (BDO)
• Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO)
• Treasury Officer and Accounts Officer
• Commercial Tax Officer, Naib Tehsildar and Sub Registrar

The exact post-wise split is listed in the official advertisement (A-1/E-1/2026). The total is around 500 and can shift a little as departments confirm their needs.

Are you eligible?

Education. You need a Bachelor’s degree in any subject from a recognised university. That covers most posts. A few specialised ones ask for a specific degree — the Sub Registrar post, for example, needs a law degree (LLB). If you’re in your final year, read the post carefully, because the degree has to be finished by the last date.

Age, as on 1 July 2026. You must be between 21 and 40 years old, so born between 2 July 1986 and 1 July 2005. Candidates from UP who belong to SC, ST or OBC get five extra years, up to 45. People with disabilities get up to 15 years of relaxation.

What you’ll earn

Pay depends on the post. Take the most popular one, Deputy Collector (SDM). It sits at Pay Level 10 under the 7th Pay Commission, with a starting basic pay of ₹56,100. Add dearness allowance, house rent allowance and the rest, and the starting in-hand usually lands somewhere around ₹65,000 to ₹70,000 a month, before deductions like NPS. Treat that as an estimate — your exact figure depends on your posting city and the current DA rate. DSP sits in the same Level 10 band; a post like Naib Tehsildar starts a bit lower.

But the salary is only part of it. These jobs carry real authority, official accommodation in many cases, and a clear promotion path. That’s why the competition is heavy.

How to apply, step by step

One catch first. UPPSC uses a One Time Registration (OTR). You have to create your OTR before you can fill the form, and you shouldn’t leave it for the last day.

1. Open the official site, uppsc.up.nic.in.
2. Finish your OTR if you haven’t already. Keep your 10th certificate, degree and a valid ID handy — the details have to match.
3. Log in and open the PCS 2026 advertisement (A-1/E-1/2026).
4. Fill your personal, education and category details exactly as they appear on your documents.
5. Upload your photo and signature in the sizes the form asks for.
6. Pay the fee online and submit. Save a PDF of the final form — you’ll want it later.

How the selection works

There are three stages. First, the Prelims on 6 December 2026 — two papers the same day. Paper I is General Studies (150 questions, 200 marks) and this is the one that decides your merit. Paper II is the CSAT (200 marks) and is only qualifying; you need 33% to clear it. Every wrong answer costs you a third of a mark, so don’t guess blindly.

Next comes the Mains, a written exam of eight papers for everyone who clears Prelims. Then the interview, worth 100 marks. Only a small share moves from one stage to the next, which is why Prelims thins out most of the field.

Documents and mistakes that trip people up

Every year, forms get rejected over small things. Watch for these:

• Photo or signature in the wrong size or format. The form is strict here.
• A name or date of birth that doesn’t match your 10th certificate. Your 10th marksheet date is the final word — sort out any mismatch before you apply.
• Leaving the OTR for the last day. If the site is busy, you can miss the deadline.
• Final-year students applying for a post that needs a finished degree.

Quick answers

Can final-year students apply? Only if your degree will be finished by 27 July 2026 for the post you pick. Check that post’s requirement.

Is there negative marking? Yes, in Prelims — a third of a mark for each wrong answer.

Can I apply from outside UP? Yes, but the fee and age relaxations mostly apply to UP residents in reserved categories.