The HPPSC SET 2026 (Himachal Pradesh State Eligibility Test) is an important state-level eligibility examination conducted by the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) for candidates aspiring to become Assistant Professors in universities and colleges across Himachal Pradesh.
The examination was successfully conducted on 7 June 2026, and the provisional answer key has already been released, while the HPPSC SET Result 2026 is expected after the objection process is completed. Candidates can now download the answer key, estimate their scores, submit objections within the prescribed deadline, and stay updated on the final answer key and result announcement.
This article provides complete details about the HPPSC SET 2026 notification, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, qualifying marks, answer key, result date, and the latest official updates.
HPPSC SET (HP State Eligibility Test) 2026 — Complete Notification Overview |
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| Exam Conducted on 7 June 2026 — Answer Key Released, Result Awaited | Assistant Professor Eligibility for HP Universities & Colleges | |
| visit for latest job notification24.in | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Conducting Body | Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC), Shimla |
| Exam Name | HP State Eligibility Test (SET) 2026 |
| Advertisement Number | Advt. No. 1/1-2026 |
| Purpose of Exam | Determines eligibility for Assistant Professor posts in Universities/Colleges across Himachal Pradesh |
| Notification Release Date | 3 January 2026 |
| Online Application Window | 3 January 2026 – 10 February 2026 (extended from original 30 January deadline) |
| Exam Date | 7 June 2026 (Sunday) — Already Conducted |
| Total Subjects Offered | 22 Subjects |
| Exam Centres | 10 Districts of Himachal Pradesh (excluding Kinnaur and Lahaul & Spiti) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper, OMR Sheet Based) |
| Current Status | Provisional Answer Key Released (9 June 2026) — Objection Window Open, Result Awaited |
| Official Website | hppsc.hp.gov.in |
HPPSC SET 2026 Important Dates
Note: Since the exam has already taken place, the current active stage for candidates is the answer key objection process. Result and final key dates will be updated here as soon as HPPSC announces them. read more; RPSC 2nd Grade Exam City Slip 2026 Out |
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HPPSC SET 2026 Eligibility Criteria |
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| Category | Minimum Qualification Required |
| General / Unreserved / General-EWS | Master’s Degree with at least 55% marks (without rounding off) from a UGC-recognized University in Humanities, Social Sciences, Computer Science & Applications, or allied subjects |
| SC / ST / OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) / PwD (HP Domicile) | Master’s Degree with at least 50% marks (without rounding off) |
| Ph.D. Holders (Master’s completed before 19 September 1991) | 5% relaxation in aggregate marks (i.e., 55% reduced to 50%) |
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HPPSC SET 2026 List of 22 SubjectsChemical 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 & Management, Mass Communication and Journalism, Psychology, Education, Environment Science Note: Candidates must appear only in the subject matching their postgraduate qualification. If a candidate’s subject is not on this list, they may instead appear for UGC NET/UGC-CSIR NET, which is conducted twice a year at the national level. read more; HTET Exam Analysis 2026 |
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HPPSC SET 2026 Exam Pattern |
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| Paper | Content / Questions / Marks / Duration |
| Paper I (Common for all candidates) | Teaching & Research Aptitude, Reasoning, Comprehension, Divergent Thinking, General Awareness — 50 Questions | 100 Marks | 1 Hour |
| Paper II (Subject-Specific) | Based on the candidate’s postgraduate subject, aligned with UGC syllabus — 100 Questions | 200 Marks | 2 Hours |
| Total | 150 Questions | 300 Marks | 3 Hours (Same Day, Two Separate Sessions) |
| Question Type | Objective Type (MCQ), 4 options per question, all questions compulsory |
| Marking Scheme | 2 Marks per Correct Answer | No Negative Marking |
| Dropped/Scrapped Question Rule | If a question is found incorrect and dropped, +2 marks are awarded to ALL candidates automatically |
| Language of Paper | Bilingual (English & Hindi); in case of translation ambiguity, the English version is treated as final |
HPPSC SET 2026 Qualifying Criteria & Cut-Off
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HPPSC SET 2026 Syllabus Highlights (Paper I)
Note: Paper II syllabus is entirely subject-specific and follows the UGC-prescribed syllabus for the corresponding NET/SET subject at postgraduate level. Subject-wise syllabus PDFs are available on the official HPPSC website. read more; BOI Credit Officer Salary 2026 |
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HPPSC SET 2026 Application Fee |
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| Category | Fee |
| General / Unreserved | ₹700/- |
| OBC | ₹350/- |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹175/- |
| Note: Fee is payable online only (Debit Card/Credit Card/Internet Banking) and is non-refundable and non-adjustable once submitted. | |
How to Check HPPSC SET 2026 Answer Key & Raise Objections
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What Happens After HPPSC SET 2026 Qualification?
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Q1. Has the HPPSC SET 2026 exam already been conducted? Q2. Is there negative marking in HPPSC SET 2026? Q3. Has the HPPSC SET 2026 result been declared? Q4. Is SET qualification a guarantee of a job? Q5. Can Ph.D. holders skip the SET/NET exam? read more; JoSAA Round 2 Cut Off 2026 |
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important links |
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| Check Provisional Answer Key | click here (Released 9 June 2026) |
| Official Notification PDF | click here |
| Official Website (HPPSC) | click here |
| notification 24 jobs | click here |
| join telegram | click here |
| join whatsapp channel | click here |
| subscribe on youtube | click here |
Detailed FAQs
Q1. What is the latest update regarding HPPSC SET 2026?
Answer: The written examination has already been completed, and HPPSC has released the provisional answer key. Candidates can currently raise objections before the commission publishes the final answer key and result.
Q2. How can candidates estimate their HPPSC SET 2026 score?
Answer: Candidates should compare their responses with the provisional answer key. Every correct answer carries 2 marks, there is no negative marking, and any officially dropped question is awarded to all candidates.
Q3. When will the HPPSC SET 2026 result be declared?
Answer: The result is expected after the objection process concludes and the commission releases the final answer key. HPPSC has not announced an official result date yet.
Q4. Does qualifying HPPSC SET guarantee an Assistant Professor job?
Answer: No. HPPSC SET only certifies eligibility. Candidates must separately apply for Assistant Professor recruitment whenever HPPSC or eligible institutions issue recruitment notifications.
Q5. Is the HPPSC SET certificate valid outside Himachal Pradesh?
Answer: No. HPPSC SET is primarily valid for Assistant Professor eligibility in universities and colleges located within Himachal Pradesh. Candidates seeking eligibility across India should qualify UGC NET.
Q6. Can final-year postgraduate students apply for HPPSC SET?
Answer: Yes. Final-year or result-awaited postgraduate students may apply provisionally, provided they complete the required educational qualification within the time prescribed by HPPSC.
Q7. What is considered a good score in HPPSC SET?
Answer: Since qualification depends on both minimum qualifying marks and the top-performing candidates in each subject, there is no fixed safe score. Higher marks improve the chances of qualifying, especially in competitive subjects.
Q8. Which paper is generally more challenging?
Answer: Paper II is usually considered more challenging because it tests advanced subject-specific knowledge based on the postgraduate syllabus, while Paper I focuses on teaching aptitude, reasoning, research aptitude, and general awareness.
Q9. What should candidates do after downloading the answer key?
Answer: Candidates should carefully compare their responses, calculate their estimated score, collect supporting references for any doubtful questions, and submit objections before the deadline if required.
Q10. How should future aspirants prepare for the next HPPSC SET examination?
Answer: Candidates should thoroughly complete the UGC syllabus, revise regularly, solve previous years’ papers, attempt mock tests, improve conceptual understanding, and stay updated with official HPPSC notifications regarding the next examination cycle.