HPPSC requires a Master's degree with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC and PwBD) in the relevant subject, a qualifying NET/SLET/SET score, and an age between 18 and 45 years as on 1 January 2026. The subject of the Master's degree must correspond to the post applied for. Master's degree with 55% marks (or equivalent grade) in the relevant subject from a recognized university, or an equivalent recognized foreign degree. 5% relaxation (55% to 50%) for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer) and Physically/Visually Handicapped candidates. 5% relaxation for Ph.D. holders who completed their Master's before September 1991. NET (UGC/CSIR) or equivalent SLET/SET is the minimum eligibility condition for the post. Ph.D. holders are exempt from NET/SLET/SET, provided the Ph.D. was awarded in regular mode, evaluated by at least two external examiners, included an open viva-voce, and is backed by at least two published papers (one refereed) plus two conference presentations. Candidates who qualified SET-2026 are also eligible; the window will reopen for them if the SET-2026 result comes after the regular closing date. The age is calculated as on 1 January 2026, based on the Matriculation certificate. A 5-year relaxation in upper age applies only to Bonafide SC/ST/OBC, Ward of Freedom Fighters, and Persons with Disabilities of HP, and only if the post is reserved for that category in the subject applied for; HP Government employees and Ex-Servicemen get relaxation per separate government instructions.

The application fee is a flat Rs. 600 for all candidates, paid online via Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, or other digital modes, and is non-refundable and non-transferable once paid. Since each subject is a separate application, the fee must be paid afresh for every subject applied to. Visit http://www.hppsc.hp.gov.in/hppsc. Click "Apply Online" on the homepage. Select "One Time Registration (OTR) for Examinations" and complete registration if new. Log in to the OTR account and view live advertisements on the dashboard. Select the relevant subject advertisement (e.g., Hindi – 47/6-2026, History – 48/6-2026) and fill the form. Upload scanned Matriculation certificate, degree/marksheets, category certificate, and Bonafide HP certificate. Pay the Rs. 600 fee online. Confirm the undertaking on document legibility and submit the final application. Download the confirmation/printout for records. Once submitted, no corrections or modifications are allowed, so candidates should verify every field before final submission. Documents Required for Upload Applications with missing or poor-quality scans are liable to rejection, so candidates should keep the following ready: Matriculation certificate for age proof, degree certificates with all years' marksheets, experience certificate (wherever required), and valid category certificates (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Ex-Servicemen/WFF/PwBD) in the HP Government's prescribed format. Reserved category candidates additionally need a Bonafide Himachali certificate, and EWS applicants need an Income & Asset Certificate or a BDO-countersigned BPL Certificate along with a non-SC/ST/OBC certificate.

Selection runs through a two-paper written test on the same day, followed by a Personality Test, with final merit based on Paper-II plus interview marks. The process starts with document scrutiny and ends with a 30-mark interview at HPPSC's Shimla office. Stage Component Details 1 Application Scrutiny Eligible candidates provisionally admitted; rejected candidates get 10 days to represent 2 Paper-I: Screening Test 1-hour MCQ, 100 marks (HP GK-30, National/International Affairs-30, Hindi-20, English-20); qualifying only 3 Paper-II: Subject Aptitude Test (SAT) 3-hour descriptive test, 120 marks, subject-specific syllabus; held same day as Paper-I 4 Document Verification Shortlisting per category-wise zone ratio (1:5 for 11+ posts; 1:5+3 for up to 10 posts) 5 Personality Test 30 marks, at HPPSC office Shimla only; minimum pass 40% General / 30% Reserved 6 Final Merit SAT (120) + Personality Test (30) = 150 marks total Paper-I is qualifying only and does not count toward merit; candidates scoring zero or negative marks are excluded outright. There is 0.25 mark negative marking per wrong, multiple, or blank answer in objective tests, and the SAT qualifying mark is 45% General / 40% Reserved.