UPSSSC has issued Advertisement No. 11-Exam/2026 for recruitment to Havaldar Instructor posts under Home Guards Headquarters, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow. The headline figure is 209 vacancies, but the more important part for applicants is that this is a PET-based main examination. The notification is already out, while online applications are set to open later, so this is the stage to verify eligibility, keep documents ready and understand the written and physical requirements.
This recruitment is not open in the same way as a general direct form where anyone can apply first and think later. Candidates need a valid UP PET-2025 scorecard, and shortlisting for the main exam is tied to the normalized PET score. After that, candidates who move ahead face a written examination and qualifying physical tests. That makes it important to prepare for both the academic and physical sides of the process.
The notification also gives useful details that are easy to miss in short summaries, including category-wise vacancies, Level-3 pay scale, preferential qualifications such as NCC or Territorial Army background, and the specific physical standards for male and female candidates. The sections below focus only on the details that matter for this post.
Recruitment overview
UPSSSC has announced 209 vacancies for the post of Havaldar Instructor under Home Guards Headquarters, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow. This is a Group C recruitment under Advertisement No. 11-Exam/2026. The notification was published on 17 April 2026, but the online application window is scheduled to start from 19 June 2026.
This recruitment is linked to UP PET-2025. Only candidates who appeared in PET-2025 and were issued a scorecard can take part in this process. The commission will shortlist candidates for the main examination on the basis of normalized PET scores.
For applicants, the practical takeaway is simple: the notification is out now, but the form will open later. Use this gap to check whether your qualification, age, PET status and physical fitness match the post before the application window begins.
Important dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification release date | 17 April 2026 |
| Online application start date | 19 June 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | 9 July 2026 |
| Last date for fee reconciliation and permitted correction | 16 July 2026 |
| Written exam date | Not yet announced |
| Admit card | To be released later by UPSSSC |
The notification makes an important distinction between submitting the form and completing fee reconciliation. Candidates should not assume the process is complete until the application is properly submitted and printable after payment adjustment.
Vacancy breakup and pay scale
The total number of advertised posts is 209. The notification gives the following category-wise breakup for Havaldar Instructor:
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved | 88 |
| Scheduled Caste | 39 |
| Scheduled Tribe | 5 |
| Other Backward Class | 57 |
| EWS | 20 |
| Total | 209 |
The post carries Pay Level-3 with a pay scale of Rs. 21,700 to Rs. 69,100. The notification also mentions horizontal reservation entries including women, ex-servicemen, dependents of freedom fighters and outstanding sportspersons. In addition, 52 posts are identified under the 25 percent horizontal reservation for eligible Home Guards volunteers and unpaid officers as stated in the notification.
Eligibility requirements
The first and non-negotiable requirement is a valid UP PET-2025 scorecard. Candidates without PET-2025 participation and scorecard issuance are not eligible for this main examination stage.
The essential educational qualification is Intermediate from a recognised board or institution. The notification also mentions a special exception for the unpaid departmental employee category, for which High School is accepted as per the stated rules.
The notification lists certain preferential qualifications as well. Preference may be available, all other things being equal, to candidates who have completed at least two years of service in the Territorial Army, or possess the NCC 'B' Certificate, or have worked continuously for at least three years in the Home Guards organisation.
Since this recruitment flows from a PET-based shortlist, candidates should read the eligibility conditions together rather than separately. Having the academic qualification alone is not enough if the PET condition is not met.
Age limit and relaxation
The age limit for Havaldar Instructor recruitment is 18 to 40 years. For this recruitment cycle, the relevant age reckoning is based on the year of advertisement as laid down in the notification rules. Reserved-category candidates are entitled to age relaxation as per applicable Uttar Pradesh government rules.
The notification also states an additional point for unpaid Home Guards employee-category candidates: where the required service condition is fulfilled, an upper-age relaxation of two years is admissible in that category.
Applicants should rely on their exact category, certificate status and date of birth before assuming eligibility. If a reservation or relaxation certificate is required, it must be valid in the form and period prescribed in the notification.
Application fee and documents to keep ready
At the application stage, the fee is Rs. 25 for all listed categories. The notification describes this as the online process fee at the form-submission stage.
| Category | Fee at application stage |
|---|---|
| UR | Rs. 25 |
| OBC | Rs. 25 |
| SC | Rs. 25 |
| ST | Rs. 25 |
The notification also notes that the separate main-exam fee is to be paid later only by candidates shortlisted for the main examination, before downloading the admit card. The amount of that later stage fee is not stated in the recruitment overview portion available to applicants at the notification stage.
Before the form opens, keep these items ready: PET-2025 registration and score details, educational certificates, category and EWS certificates where applicable, identity details, contact details, and any documents needed to claim preferential qualification or reservation.
How to apply on the UPSSSC website
- Go to the UPSSSC website and open the live advertisement or applicant section for the Havaldar Instructor recruitment.
- Log in through the PET-2025 registration number and complete OTP verification.
- Check the auto-fetched personal details and fill the required educational and other eligibility information carefully.
- Review the photo and signature details already linked or displayed during the process.
- Fill other details, choose preferences where applicable, accept the declaration and proceed to payment.
- Pay the application-stage fee through the permitted online modes or e-challan route as allowed in the notification.
- Download and print the final submitted application form only after payment reconciliation and final submission are completed.
The notification makes it clear that candidates should not stop after payment. The form is treated as finally submitted only after successful fee adjustment and completion of the final submission stage. A printable application copy should be saved for later stages.
Selection process and physical tests
The process begins with shortlisting for the main examination on the basis of normalized UP PET-2025 scores. Shortlisted candidates then appear for the written examination. After the written exam, the commission conducts physical measurement and physical efficiency tests for shortlisted candidates.
The notification clearly states that the physical measurement and physical efficiency stages are qualifying in nature. Final merit is prepared on the basis of written examination marks among candidates who qualify the physical stages.
The physical standards listed in the notification include the following:
| Category | Height | Chest without expansion | Chest with expansion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male, General/OBC/SC | 167.7 cm | 78.8 cm | 83.8 cm |
| Male, hill candidates | 162.6 cm | 76.5 cm | 81.5 cm |
| Male, ST | 160 cm | 76.5 cm | 81.5 cm |
| Female, General/OBC/SC | 152 cm | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Female, hill and ST candidates | 147 cm | Not applicable | Not applicable |
The physical efficiency test requires male candidates to complete a 4.8 km run in 25 minutes and female candidates to complete a 2.4 km run in 14 minutes. Candidates also need to be physically and mentally fit for the post.
Written exam pattern
The main examination is a single written paper with 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions. The total duration is 2 hours. Each question carries 1 mark, and negative marking applies for wrong answers at one-fourth of the prescribed marks for that question.
| Subject area | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| History of India and Indian National Movement | 10 | 10 |
| Geography of India and World | 5 | 5 |
| Economic and Social Development of India | 5 | 5 |
| Indian Polity and Constitution | 10 | 10 |
| General Science and Technology | 10 | 10 |
| Environmental Ecology and Disaster Management | 10 | 10 |
| Sports in India | 5 | 5 |
| Current Events of National and International Importance | 10 | 10 |
| Computer and Information Technology with contemporary innovation | 15 | 15 |
| General information related to Uttar Pradesh | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
This pattern means the paper is broad rather than narrowly technical. A candidate preparing only general studies without covering the computer and Uttar Pradesh sections will leave a large number of marks unaddressed.
Syllabus focus and what to track next
The syllabus combines three broad blocks: general studies, computer and information technology, and Uttar Pradesh-specific knowledge. The general studies block covers Indian history, freedom movement, geography, development, polity, science and technology, environmental ecology, disaster management, sports and current affairs.
The computer section includes hardware and software basics, input and output devices, internet and IP address basics, e-mail use, printer, tablet and mobile operation, important elements of word processing and spreadsheet use, operating systems, social networking, e-governance, digital financial tools, cyber security and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data processing, deep learning, machine learning and the Internet of Things.
The Uttar Pradesh section asks for general knowledge related to the state, including history, culture, art, architecture, festivals, literature, languages, tourism, geography, natural resources, economy, agriculture, industry, polity, administration and current achievements of the state.
As of now, the exam date, admit card release and result schedule are not yet announced in the notification. Candidates should keep watching the official UPSSSC website for the application link, later main-exam updates, physical-test notices and admit card instructions.
Official Links
Frequently Asked Questions
The notification announces 209 vacancies for the post of Havaldar Instructor.
Online applications are scheduled from 19 June 2026 to 9 July 2026, with correction and fee reconciliation allowed up to 16 July 2026.
Yes. Only candidates with a valid UP PET-2025 scorecard are eligible to apply for this main examination.
The essential qualification is Intermediate from a recognised board or institution. The notification also mentions a special High School exception for the unpaid departmental employee category.
The age limit is 18 to 40 years, with applicable relaxations under Uttar Pradesh government rules.
The application-stage fee is Rs. 25 for all listed categories. A separate main-exam fee is payable later only by shortlisted candidates, as per UPSSSC instructions.
Male candidates must complete a 4.8 km run in 25 minutes, while female candidates must complete a 2.4 km run in 14 minutes.
The written exam has one objective paper with 100 questions for 100 marks, a duration of 2 hours, and negative marking of one-fourth mark for each wrong answer.